Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies

For and Against Irish Unity For and Against Irish Unity, a discussion with Sam McBride and Fintan O'Toole On March 18, 2026, the Irish Institute is delighted to welcome renowned journalists Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride to Boston College to discuss their recently published book, For and Against a United Ireland (2026, Notre Dame Press). For and Against a United Ireland was commissioned by ARINS (Analysis and Researching Ireland North and South), a joint partnership of the University of Notre Dame and the Royal Irish Academy. In this compelling exchange, O'Toole and McBride each present arguments both for and against Irish unity. Beginning with the deceptively simple question - "what does a 'united Ireland' actually mean?" - they examine the political, economic, and cultural implications of constitutional change. From public services, taxation, and governance to identity and belonging, they explore the issues with forensic precision and intellectual clarity. Would unity strengthen Northern Ireland or destabilize it? Would it improve life in the Republic? And could such a transformation occur peacefully? The program will feature a moderated discussion followed by audience Q&A and a complimentary reception. This event is free and open to the public. Registration for this event is required. Register here. Co-sponsored by the Irish Institute and Irish Studies.

@sciencecooperation.bsky.social ... It will be at Boston College at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, co-sponsored with @bc-irish-studies.bsky.social.

Here are the details: events.bc.edu/event/for-an...

Book commissioned by Notre Dame partnership is inspiring dialogue about Irish unification “For and Against a United Ireland,” written by journalists Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride, will be the focus of events in Chicago, New...

“For and Against a United Ireland” was commissioned by @arinsproject.bsky.social — a joint initiative of the Keough-Naughton Institute at @notredame.bsky.social and @ria.ie.

👉 Read more about the book here: irishstudies.nd.edu/news/arins-b...

We kicked off the US tour of “For and Against a United Ireland” last night in Chicago w/ authors @fotoole.bsky.social and @sjamcbride.bsky.social.

Next: NYC, DC, Boston, Princeton

The book has inspired dialogue in Ireland and the UK. It’s a thrill to discuss it on this side of the Atlantic.

📣 We’re hiring a Research Programmes Manager to join our Dublin team! 📣

This role will advance the exciting work of initiatives including @arinsproject.bsky.social (a partnership with @ria.ie), events such as @macgillschool.bsky.social, and more.

👉 Apply by March 31: careers.nd.edu/search-caree...

The Irish Language in Liverpool / An Ghaeilge cois Seteia YouTube video by Institute of Irish Studies, Liverpool

The Irish Language in Liverpool / An Ghaeilge cois Seteia
Panel featuring Prof Brian Ó Conchubhair
@ndirishstudies.bsky.social, Dr Dorothy Ní Uigín
@uniofgalway.bsky.social, Prof Pádraig Ó Siadhail, (St Mary’s College, Halifax, Canada) + our Dr Eoghan Ahern.
🎥 youtu.be/i4E3cjgfk6g
#Speigorm

New #ARINS Podcast!🎙️

Rory Montgomery speaks with Prof. Brendan O’Leary (UPenn) and Prof. John McGarry (QUB) about their newly published article, My Symbols or Our Symbols?, co-authored with Dr. James Pow.

Spotify: bit.ly/4rWj2rZ
SoundCloud: bit.ly/4lhz4u2
Article: muse.jhu.edu/article/9700...

Next week!
18 March
Notre Dame London
5:45 pm
Registration and info here: irishstudies.nd.edu/events/2026/...
@ndirishstudies.bsky.social

📣 Job Opening: Program Administrator, Research Programs 📣

Work with the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies to advance our research mission through the thoughtful design and execution of scholarly programming.

👉 Apply here by March 27: careers.nd.edu/search-caree...

Delighted to welcome Professor Brian Ó Conchubhair @ndirishstudies.bsky.social, Dr Dorothy Ní Uigín @uniofgalway.bsky.social, Professor Pádraig Ó Siadhail, (St Mary’s College, Halifax, Canada) for tonight's panel on the Irish Language in Liverpool, chaired by pur own Dr Eoghan Ahern.

Join us in Chicago for an event with @fotoole.bsky.social and
@sjamcbride.bsky.social — authors of the acclaimed book “For and Against a United Ireland.”

🗓️ Thursday, March 12
🕟 Reception @ 4:30 pm | Event @ 5:30 pm
📍 The Chicago Club, 81 E. Van Buren St.

✅ Register here: go.nd.edu/for-against-...

ARINS - Royal Irish Academy ARINS: Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South Authoritative, independent and non-partisan analysis and research on constitutional, institutional and policy options for Ireland, north and so...

ARINS (Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South) is a joint academic project of the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, part of Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs, and the @ria.ie.

Learn more about the project at: www.ria.ie/research-pro...

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and leadership from @arinsproject.bsky.social spoke last week at @notredame.bsky.social about possible constitutional futures for Ireland and the role ARINS is playing in informing policy options on the island.

▶️ Read a recap here: irishstudies.nd.edu/news/leo-var...

What do the words "united #Ireland" even mean? Would it be better for Northern Ireland? Would it improve lives in the Republic of Ireland?

Hear from journalists Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride in FOR AND AGAINST A UNITED IRELAND. Now available! undpress.nd.edu/9780...

Former Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar visiting Keough School of Global Affairs as distinguished policy fellow Varadkar will participate in a public conversation, “ARINS, Ireland and Notre Dame,” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, in The Forum in Jenkins Nan...

Former Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar is visiting the University of Notre Dame this week and next week as a distinguished policy fellow with the Keough-Naughton Institute.

Read more about his visit — including a public event at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24 — here: irishstudies.nd.edu/news/former-...

Join us at 3:30 pm ET on Thursday, March 5, for this event with Aran Ward Sell, one of our Yeats Fellows in Irish Literature!

Congratulations to our postdoctoral fellow Robert O’Sullivan on his newest publication! 👏

@diplomatichistory.bsky.social @shafrhistorians.bsky.social

🎧 New ARINS My Identity Podcast out now!

Recorded at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast, Colin speaks with QUB students James and Rea following a sold-out debate on 'For and Against a United Ireland.'

Spotify: bit.ly/4rxdTWw
SoundCloud: bit.ly/45OsBQC

@qubelfastofficial.bsky.social #ARINSProject

We’re looking forward to showcasing the important work of ARINS (Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South) during a public conversation with former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Feb. 24 at Notre Dame.

See more details here: irishstudies.nd.edu/events/2026/...

@arinsproject.bsky.social @ria.ie

My flights are booked! I'm off to Notre Dame later this spring to complete research on my monograph, Irish Gothic in the Global Nineteenth Century, thanks to the Keough-Naughton Library Research Award in Irish Studies. Super excited!

@ndirishstudies.bsky.social @ulenglish.bsky.social

REMINDER: The deadline to apply for the Global Irish Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship is Feb. 27.

👉 apply.interfolio.com/176805

@lcis-leuven.bsky.social @cirishcaceres.bsky.social @aedei.bsky.social @efacis.bsky.social @irishstudieswue.bsky.social @sofeir.bsky.social @intyeatssociety.bsky.social

Drew Harris says prosecuting his father’s IRA killers would make little difference Former Garda commissioner says short sentences they would receive would not ‘weigh the scales’ for 1989 murder

Colin Graham’s frank interview with “Peeler’s Pup” Drew Harris is available now on ARINS Spotify, SoundCloud and Apple Podcasts.

🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/4Doc...

@ndirishstudies.bsky.social @ria.ie

We’re looking forward to this conversation!

“For and Against a United Ireland” was commissioned by ARINS (Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South) — a joint academic project of the Keough-Naughton Institute and the Royal Irish Academy.

@arinsproject.bsky.social @ria.ie

📣 Accepting applications: Parnell Research Fellowship in Irish Studies

Magdalene College Cambridge has joined with the Keough-Naughton Institute to offer a three-year junior research fellowship in Irish studies.

👉 See more details: www.magd.cam.ac.uk/about/vacanc...

@magdalenecollege.bsky.social

We’re proud to have played a role in this important book project.

“For and Against a United Ireland” was commissioned by ARINS (Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South) — a joint project of the Keough-Naughton Institute and the Royal Irish Academy.

@arinsproject.bsky.social @ria.ie

🎙️New Episode of My Identity now online 🔔

Drew Harris speaks candidly about his career with the PSNI and An Garda Síochána in his first in-depth interview post retirement.

Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/4Doc...

@ria.ie @ndirishstudies.bsky.social

Live from the Royal Irish Academy!

Inside the ARINS/Irish Times Survey: Origins, Approach, Insights

Chair: Professor Gail McElroy (TCD)

Panel: Prof Colin Barr (Notre Dame), Prof John Garry (QUB), Prof Brendan O’Leary (UPenn), Dr Dawn Walsh (UCD) and Dr Jamie Pow (QUB), Pat Leahy (Irish Times)

🎧 New #ARINSPodcast out NOW!

Beyond Identity and Ideology: How Deliberation Can Reframe Constitutional Debate

🔗 Listen now:
Spotify: bit.ly/44XSsW2
SoundCloud: bit.ly/3L5HYx7

@ria.ie @shelleydeane.bsky.social @dcuresearch.bsky.social @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social @ucddublin.bsky.social

Another great conversation around “For and Against a United Ireland” by journalists Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride.

The book was commissioned by ARINS, a joint project of the Keough-Naughton Institute and the Royal Irish Academy.

@undpress.bsky.social @ria.ie

Congratulations to Keough-Naughton Institute faculty fellow Meredith Chesson! 📚

Conversation with Writer-in-Residence Michael Magee Please join the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, the English Department, and the Creative Writing Program  for a public conversation wi...

Magee, a writer from Belfast whose debut novel “Close to Home” has won several prestigious awards, will participate in a public conversation this Thursday, Nov. 20, at 5 p.m.

All are welcome. Join us! irishstudies.nd.edu/events/2025/...