How did the Irish Civil War end for the anti-treaty forces?

For the anti-treaty forces, the Irish Civil War ended in defeat after they realized that military victory was beyond their grasp. By the first quarter of 1923, the republican campaign had faltered due to the government's electoral majority, the condemnation of the anti-treaty "Irregulars" by the Roman Catholic hierarchy, and internal factionalism.1

The conclusion of the conflict unfolded as follows:

• Cease-fire: In April 1923, republican commander Frank Aiken declared a cease-fire.1
• Dumping of Arms: On May 24, 1923, Aiken ordered republican forces to dump their arms, acknowledging that the "foreign and domestic enemies of the Republic" had prevailed.1
• Proclamation: On the same day, Eamon de Valera issued a statement declaring that the Republic could no longer be successfully defended by arms and that further sacrifice would be in vain.1

While no formal peace treaty was ever negotiated, this marked the end of the armed struggle. De Valera subsequently shifted his focus toward parliamentary politics, eventually leading his followers into the Dáil through the creation of the Fianna Fáil party.12