Fifty years ago the British presence was withdrawn from all but six counties of Ireland after seven centuries of disputed rule. A treaty signed by Britain with Irish rebels in December 1921 created not the republic the Irish had hoped for, but a British dominion comparable in status to Canada to be called the Irish Free State. Six of the 32 counties were formed into the province of Northern Ireland and remained in the United Kingdom. Tonight's documentary looks at what happened after the British left and how the Irish Free State eventually became the modern Republic of Ireland. Taking part: Ernest Blythe Dr Frederick Boland James Dillon Senator John Horgan Dr Conor Cruise O'Brien Kate O'Brien , Peadar O'Donnell Dr T. K. Whitaker Written and narrated by PATRICK O'DONOVAN Producer PATRICIA MEEHAN