Constitution of Ireland

The 1937 Bunreacht na hEireann, blending republicanism, social principles, and popular sovereignty.

Overview

Drafted under Eamon de Valera and adopted by referendum in July 1937, the Irish Constitution came into force in December of that year, replacing the 1922 Free State constitution. Article 1 asserts that all powers of government derive from the people, whose right to decide the form of government is inalienable. It recognized the special position of the Catholic Church, removed by referendum in 1972, and asserts the national territory in Articles 2 and 3, revised by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Referendum driven amendment has modernized it on divorce, marriage equality in 2015, and abortion in 2018, making it among the most frequently voter amended constitutions.