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- Why I am an (Irish) Unitarian
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- Are we afraid of talking about Ireland’s violent past and possibly violent future?
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Category Archives: Republic of Ireland
Why I am an (Irish) Unitarian
This is a slightly edited version of an address I gave in the St Stephen’s Green Unitarian Church, Dublin, on 30th April. I’m going to talk today about why I am a Unitarian. But I am going to start with … Continue reading
Posted in General, Republic of Ireland
2 Comments
Irish media’s poor coverage of Northern Ireland not helping understanding in the Republic
Earlier this week I addressed the Belfast dialogue group Compass Points on the coverage of Northern Ireland by the media in the Republic. This is a slightly edited version of my remarks. The first thing I should say is that … Continue reading
Posted in General, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland
5 Comments
A wise, insightful examination of the perils and possibilities of Irish unity
If readers of this blog are looking for a book to read on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, I strongly recommend Perils and Prospects of a United Ireland, by my friend Padraig O’Malley, the distinguished Professor of … Continue reading
In this still deeply divided country, should we be talking about confederation?
The former Tánaiste and Progressive Democrat leader, Michael McDowell, has been writing recently about confederation.1 I may not often agree with his views on social and economic issues, but I have always found his political analysis of the North to … Continue reading
Why Micheál Martin’s speech was inspirational and why the Shared Island initiative matters
Nobody would ever accuse the former Taoiseach, Micheál Martin (now Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs), of being an inspirational public speaker. But listening to his speech at the big Shared Island event in Dublin Castle earlier this month, I … Continue reading
The results of the census and the revolt of the masses
Firstly, and briefly, the 2021 Northern Ireland census results. We know the headline figures well by now, that the number of those who are Catholics or from a Catholic background (at 45.7%) now outnumber the number of people who are … Continue reading
Sinn Fein are winning the peace, as people forget the IRA’s war
Sinn Fein are winning the post-1998 peace. They are now the largest party in Northern Ireland, and almost certainly will be the largest party in the Republic after the next election. A combination of internal and external events have come … Continue reading
Posted in General, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein
4 Comments
From Rebel Cork to Orange Antrim: a cyclist’s journey through the gorgeous heart of Ireland
In the first eleven days of July I cycled with my friend David Ward from Mizen Head in west Cork to Fair Head in north Antrim to raise money for Concern’s work for girls’ education in Afghanistan. The journey confirmed … Continue reading
Discussing Irish unity over dinner with Trinity College politics students
I had an interesting dinner with five political science students from Trinity College Dublin last month at which we discussed Irish unity and Southern Irish attitudes to it. I had met them three weeks earlier when I was giving a … Continue reading
Posted in General, Irish reunification, Republic of Ireland
4 Comments
Is Ireland neutral in this battle between good and evil?
Sometimes (rarely) wars are seen as battles between the forces of good and evil. The war of the Allies against Nazism is the classic example in modern times. Except the Irish state chose to sit that one out, unwilling to … Continue reading