Ireland has one of the world's longest-lasting and best established democratic constitutional systems, dating back to the original Free State Constitution of 1922. The subsequent 1937 Constitution was one of world's first post-colonial constitutions, and was a considerable influence on other post-colonial constitutions in Africa and Asia. In addition, the 1922 and 1937 Constitutions were among the first in Europe to contain judicially enforceable rights guarantees which have spawned an extensive rights jurisprudence and controversial case-law in areas such as abortion, reproductive rights, criminal evidence, freedom of expression, socio-economic rights and equality norms.

These features make the Irish constitution a distinctive one, but to understand its workings it is necessary to examine the political and legal context – notably the post-independence desire to differentiate the new state from the 'old' order of British rule. Independent Ireland was to be a constitutional democracy rooted in respect for individual dignity. However, balancing the idealism of independence with the complex realities of constitutional governance has proved difficult, while the Northern Irish peace process and European integration have thrown up fresh challenges. The book adopts a contextual and comparative approach in exploring the ongoing evolution of this complex and influential constitutional system.