Against the backdrop of the Civil War, Cumann na nGaedheal was formed on April 27, 1923.

It was primarily composed of pro-Treaty elements of Sinn Féin, and was immediately preoccupied with establishing institutions of the State and ensuring social and economic advancement.

The new party's first President was WT Cosgrave, and his administration led the country for the following 10 years.

W.T. Cosgrave

The Government's achievements were startling for an inexperienced administration, particularly when one considers that it was leading a divided, war-torn country.

The following is a list of just some of the Government' s accomplishments:

• It provided electricity through the Shannon Scheme
• It established An Garda Síochána
• It set up the Civil Service Commission
• It drew up a non-sectarian Constitution
• It secured Ireland's entry to the League of Nations

Most importantly, the Cumann na nGaedheal Government built the nation by securing the support of the people for the new State, and ridding Irish politics of violent undertones.

With the Civil War over, a split occurred within the Anti-Treaty Sinn Féin group.

As a result, Eamon de Valera led Fianna Fáil into the Dáil in 1927, and into Government in 1932.

This transfer of power was peaceful and, by the time Cumann na nGaedheal went into opposition, the Irish Free State had come of age.