"Eire" and "Éire" v Ireland Names of the Irish state

the british government finessed article 4 , ignored articles 2 , 3: if irish constitution said name of state in national language Éire, (written eire ) british government call it. doing so, avoided need call irish state, in english language, ireland. change of name effected 1937 constitution (but not other constitutional changes), given effect in united kingdom law in eire (confirmation of agreements) act 1938. under section 1 of act, declared (for purposes of united kingdom legislation) territory ... known irish free state shall styled ... eire .

the british approach of calling state eire assisted general preference of de valera, leader of irish government @ time, state known Éire, in english. seen in english-language preamble of constitution. however, irish government, when led de valera, appreciated significance of name ireland , insisted on name in fora. example, in 1938 irish representatives in commonwealth countries gave official titles high commissioner ireland , league of nations informed ireland correct english name country. unique modus vivendi adopted 2 states when concluded bilateral agreement on air services in 1946. agreement styled agreement between united kingdom , ireland (eire) . parliamentary question why term ireland (eire) used rather eire put in british house of commons. parliamentary secretary government, ivor thomas, explained position follows:

the practice in other commonwealth countries varied: @ outset @ least, appears south africa , canada used name ireland while new zealand favoured eire. in 1947, united kingdom home office went further issuing instructions united kingdom government departments use eire. nevertheless, on time name Éire fell increasingly out of use both irish government (except in irish language) , internationally, in particular after passing of republic of ireland act.