Monarchy of Ireland Facts for Kids

Badge of the Kingdom of Ireland

A monarchy is a type of government where a country is ruled by a king or queen. Ireland had kings and queens for a very long time, from ancient times until the early 1900s in what is now the Republic of Ireland. Today, only Northern Ireland still has a monarchy because it is part of the United Kingdom.

Early Irish Kings and Kingdoms
Norman Invasion and English Rule
Ireland's Path to Independence
- The Irish Free State is Formed
- Ending the Monarchy in the Republic of Ireland
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Early Irish Kings and Kingdoms

For many centuries, Ireland was made up of several separate Gaelic kingdoms. Each kingdom had its own king. Sometimes, one powerful king would become the "High King of Ireland," ruling over the other kings. This system of many small kingdoms ended when new invaders arrived.

Norman Invasion and English Rule

In the 1100s, people called the Normans came to Ireland. They were from England and France. The Normans slowly took control of more and more land. Ireland then became a "fief" of the Holy See (the Pope). This meant it was under the Pope's authority, but the King of England was in charge.

This arrangement changed during the English Reformation in the 1500s. The King of England, Henry VIII, broke away from the Pope. He then claimed full ownership of Ireland. From that time on, the King or Queen of England was also the King or Queen of Ireland.

Ireland's Path to Independence

For hundreds of years, Ireland was ruled by the British monarch. However, many Irish people wanted to rule themselves.

The Irish Free State is Formed

In December 1922, a big change happened. Most of Ireland left the United Kingdom. It became a new country called the Irish Free State. This Free State was a "dominion" within the British Empire. This meant it was self-governing but still connected to the British Crown. The part of Ireland that remained with the United Kingdom became Northern Ireland.

Ending the Monarchy in the Republic of Ireland

The Irish Free State slowly moved further away from the British monarchy.

In 1937, after King George V died, the Free State changed its laws. These changes gave the British monarchs much less power in Ireland.
In April 1949, the Irish Free State completely removed the monarchy. It became a republic and left the Commonwealth of Nations.

Since 1949, the only part of Ireland that still has a king or queen is Northern Ireland. This is because Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, which has a monarch.

Images for kids

Map of Ireland (900 AD)
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, one of the last High Kings of Ireland.
Henry VIII claimed the title "King of Ireland" in 1542.
Jacobite pretender, Henry Benedict Stuart.
Leinster House, Dublin, decorated for the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.
An Irish groat coin depicting Philip and Mary.