Making Sense of a United Ireland
Should it happen? How might it happen?
Published on 16. May 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-241-99577-8 (ISBN)
Description
'Should be required reading for everyone - including unionists - who are interested in and concerned about the fate of this island' Dublin Review of Books
'Compelling' Financial Times
Will Ireland really reunite?
A century ago the resolution to Ireland's long struggle for independence was a settlement that saw six of its northern counties remain in the United Kingdom while the other twenty-six formed the new Republic of Ireland. Since partition the unification of the two parts of the island has seemed impossible, particularly because of the bloody legacy of past conflict.
However, by 2030, if not sooner, demographic and electoral advantages of Ulster unionists, who wish to remain part of the UK, will be over. And in the light of Brexit, the rising popularity of the Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein, political developments both sides of the border, and within Great Britain, Irish unification referendums will become increasingly likely. Yet even those who want these to happen are not prepared.
Making Sense of a United Ireland is a landmark exploration of this most contentious of issues. Distinguished political scientist Brendan O'Leary - a global expert on divided places, who has been profoundly engaged with the Irish question for nearly four decades - argues that the time to consider the future of the island of Ireland is now.
'The first comprehensive manual of Irish unification' Irish Times
'Several books have been written about this subject . . . for sheer intellectual firepower O'Leary wins first prize' Business Post
'A tour de force' Globe and Mail
'A must-read for anyone who lives in Northern Ireland and thinks seriously about its future. [O'Leary has] thought through the implications of possible unity so deeply it would be foolish for anyone who seeks it or opposes it to ignore his book' Cathal Mac Coille
'Impressively researched and well-argued ... detailed and readable' Irish Independent
'Brilliant' Brian Feeney, Irish News
____
'Highly readable, stylishly written, and essential' Irish Central
'Compelling' Financial Times
Will Ireland really reunite?
A century ago the resolution to Ireland's long struggle for independence was a settlement that saw six of its northern counties remain in the United Kingdom while the other twenty-six formed the new Republic of Ireland. Since partition the unification of the two parts of the island has seemed impossible, particularly because of the bloody legacy of past conflict.
However, by 2030, if not sooner, demographic and electoral advantages of Ulster unionists, who wish to remain part of the UK, will be over. And in the light of Brexit, the rising popularity of the Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein, political developments both sides of the border, and within Great Britain, Irish unification referendums will become increasingly likely. Yet even those who want these to happen are not prepared.
Making Sense of a United Ireland is a landmark exploration of this most contentious of issues. Distinguished political scientist Brendan O'Leary - a global expert on divided places, who has been profoundly engaged with the Irish question for nearly four decades - argues that the time to consider the future of the island of Ireland is now.
'The first comprehensive manual of Irish unification' Irish Times
'Several books have been written about this subject . . . for sheer intellectual firepower O'Leary wins first prize' Business Post
'A tour de force' Globe and Mail
'A must-read for anyone who lives in Northern Ireland and thinks seriously about its future. [O'Leary has] thought through the implications of possible unity so deeply it would be foolish for anyone who seeks it or opposes it to ignore his book' Cathal Mac Coille
'Impressively researched and well-argued ... detailed and readable' Irish Independent
'Brilliant' Brian Feeney, Irish News
____
'Highly readable, stylishly written, and essential' Irish Central
Reviews / Votes
Welcome and compelling * FT * A tour de force * Globe and Mail * Thoughtful and thought-provoking . . . [provides] invaluable insights into the choices and challenges that lie ahead -- Oran Doyle * Irish Times * Highly impressive . . . several books have been written about this subject in 2022 alone, but for sheer intellectual firepower O'Leary wins first prize -- Andrew Lynch * Business Post * Should be required reading for everyone - including unionists - who are interested in and concerned about the fate of this island -- Andy Pollak * DRB * Brilliant -- Brian Feeney * Irish News * A must-read . . . [O'Leary has] thought through the implications of possible unity so deeply it would be foolish for anyone who seeks it or opposes it to ignore his book -- Cathal Mac Coille A tour de force, a highly readable, stylishly written, and essential book for anyone interested in a united Ireland, whether supportive, opposed or simply anxious about disturbing the peace we have enjoyed for 25 years . . . fascinating and ultimately optimistic * Irish Central * Impressively researched and well-argued . . . detailed and readable * Irish Independent *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 192 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
292 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-241-99577-8 (9780241995778)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2022
Sandycove
€14.99
Available for download
Person
Brendan O'Leary is Lauder Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania and a Visiting Professor of Political Science at Queen's University, Belfast. He is an American citizen but both Irish (born in Cork) and Northern Irish in origin. He has been deeply engaged in conflict resolution in Ireland for nearly four decades (including over a decade advising the British Labour Party in the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement; advising an influential group of Irish-Americans led by Congressman Bruce Morrison through the 1990s; and writing advisory memoranda for the Irish government). Brendan has written, co-authored and edited many books. Making Sense of a United Ireland is his 30th book.