committee of Sinn Féin last meets before the party de facto dissolves. November–December 17 November – four IRA prisoners are executed by firing squad at Kilmainham Gaol after conviction by an Irish military court for the unlawful possession of guns. 24 November – Erskine Childers is executed by firing squad at Beggars Bush Barracks after conviction by an Irish military court for the unlawful possession of a gun, a weapon presented to him by Michael Collins in 1920 as a gift. 5 December – the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacts the Irish Free State Constitution Act, by which it legally sanctions the new Constitution of the Irish Free State. 6 December Twelve months after the signing of the Treaty the Irish Free State officially comes into existence. First domestically designed 2d postage stamp issued depicting a map of Ireland and inscribed Éire. The office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is abolished and replaced by the offices of Governor-General of the Irish Free State (held by Timothy Michael Healy) and Governor of Northern Ireland (held by the Duke of Abercorn). 7 December – the Parliament of Northern Ireland votes to remain part of the United Kingdom. 8 December - Northern Ireland rejoins the United Kingdom. 10 December - anti-Treaty IRA men set fire to the home of Seán McGarry. His seven-year-old son, Emmet, is badly burned and dies. 11 December Seanad Éireann first meets. Existing British postage stamps issued with overprint Saorstát Éireann 1922 (an overprint of "Rialtas Sealadach na hÉireann 1922" had been used since 17 February). Pope Pius XI sends a message to the government of the Irish Free State praying for a "happy era of peace and prosperity". 12 December – The Duke of Abercorn becomes first Governor of Northern Ireland, a post he held until 1945. 13 December – the Oireachtas meets for the first time, at Leinster House in Dublin. The Governor-General, Tim Healy, delivers the first address to both houses. A message from King George V is also read out. Undated – the names of King's County and Queen's County are informally changed to Offaly and Laois respectively. See also Timeline of the Irish Civil War Arts and literature 2 February – James Joyce's novel Ulysses is first published complete in book form by Sylvia Beach in Paris on his 40th birthday. John Lavery paints Michael Collins (Love of Ireland). Sport Football League of