In September 1923, the first government of the Irish Free State, led by W.T. Cosgrave and the Cumann na nGaedheal party, took office. The government, which was composed of pro-Treaty nationalists, faced the daunting task of rebuilding a country devastated by war and creating a stable political system. The Cosgrave government's policies laid the foundations for the modern Irish state, but they were also controversial, particularly the government's harsh treatment of republican prisoners.

The establishment of the Cosgrave government is a subject of political poetry, with writers debating the merits of the new state. The government's policies are often contrasted with the ideals of the republic, creating a tension that is explored in the poetry of the period. The Cosgrave government's legacy is a recurring theme in Irish poetry, reflecting the ongoing debate about the nature of Irish independence.