The
National Army, sometimes unofficially referred to as the
Free State army, was the army of the
Irish Free State (initially Southern Ireland) from January 1922 until October 1924. Its role in this period was defined by its service in the
Irish Civil War, in defence of the institutions established by the
Anglo-Irish Treaty.
Michael Collins, was the army's first
chief of staff from its establishment until his death in August 1922.