Brexit is nearing its end—what does it mean for Northern Ireland?

Guest post by Dan Haverty, intern with the Atlantic Council’s Millennium Leadership Programme and graduate of UCC’s MA in International Relations.   The intensification of the Brexit negotiations over the past eight months have relegated disputes over power-sharing in Northern Ireland to the proverbial backburner, but with the United Kingdom’s scheduled departure from the European…

Ending ‘truth friction’ in Northern Ireland’s culture war?

Guest post by Professor William J V Neill, Visiting Research Professor at the Institute of Irish Studies, Queen’s University Belfast and Emeritus Professor of Spatial Planning at the University of Aberdeen. In a recent article for the journal Parliamentary Affairs, Professor Peter Shirlow, Blair Chair at Liverpool University, sharply criticises the impoverished language game involved…

The Conservative-DUP Partnership: a path to a soft Brexit

Guest post by Dr Anthony Costello, lecturer in EU Politics and Comparative Government at the Department of Government, University College Cork. Following the recent General Election in the United Kingdom, the prospect of a soft Brexit now appears to be more achievable than previously anticipated; albeit under the most unlikely and controversial circumstances.

Irish Unity: A persuasive opportunity structure, a dissuasive reality

Guest post by Dr Anthony Costello, lecturer in EU policy-making, Comparative European Government and Politics, Conflict and Conflict Resolution, and Irish and Northern Irish Politics at the Department of Government, University College Cork. Ireland is well equipped to negotiate Brexit successfully due to its deep-rooted relationship with the United Kingdom. However, this relationship alone will not…