Oath of Allegiance (Ireland)

[2] The controversy surrounding the Oath was one of the principal issues that led to the Irish Civil War of 1922–23 between supporters and opponents of the Treaty.

It read: I (name) do solemnly swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the Irish Free State as by law established, and that I will be faithful to H.M. King George V, his heirs and successors by law in virtue of the common citizenship of Ireland with Great Britain and her adherence to and membership of the group of nations forming the British Commonwealth of Nations.

However, the assassination of the Vice-President of the Executive Council, Kevin O'Higgins, led the Cumann na nGaedheal government under W. T. Cosgrave to introduce a law requiring all Dáil candidates to pledge that they would take the oath, otherwise they could not contest the election.

Under Queen Anne holders of many civil and Military offices were required to take oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration, to attend an Anglican Church of Ireland eucharist service and to declare against the Roman Catholic beliefs in transubstantiation.

[clarification needed] Under British rule, an oath of allegiance to the King was required for (prospective) barristers in Ireland who were called to the Bar.

[citation needed] Following the Relief Act 1782, which gave Catholic schools a legal footing, teachers were required to take an oath of allegiance to the British Crown.

[citation needed] The Oath of Allegiance was a barrier to Catholics in Ireland sitting in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom following the Acts of Union 1800.

As of 2023[update], this oath of allegiance remains required before elected members of the House of Commons may take their seats and is one of the reasons for the abstentionist policy of Sinn Féin and other Nationalists in Northern Ireland.