The League of Ireland (Irish: Sraith na hÉireann) is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland.Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 20 clubs. There are currently two divisions: the Premier Division and the First Division. The league was governed by its members, the clubs, from its foundation until 2006, when it entered into a five-year merger with the Football Association of Ireland.