ARINS: Is there a trajectory towards Irish unity? Probably not and that’s a good thing

Please join us on 9 April 2025 for a lecture and discussion given by Peter Shirlow and Brian Dougherty. 

Peter Shirlow

Much of the commentary and political discourse claims there is a trajectory towards Irish unification.  If we spend time exploring the new sociology of Northern Ireland with regard to census and elections results, we will find that such a trajectory is not as is assumed. The shifts within Northern Ireland, that will shape constitutional futures, are bounded by falling birthrates, the growth in secularisation and the impacts of a new and emergent economy. Those who seek unification pass no remark on such shifts whereas unionists know of them but remain silent in terms of their shaping of political discourse. Analysis from each remains tied to an identity politics that is waning. Moreover, growths in highly skilled employment, falls in unemployment and economic inactivity and the rise of wages and other benefits also challenges wearied analyses of Northern Irish society.

Brian Dougherty

Brian will discuss the journey of the North West cultural partnership. Based in Londonderry but with programming and a constituent base from across Northern Ireland it is a unique group which has used Ulster-Scots, Ulster-British and marching bands culture to challenge misconceptions and support progressive civic leadership within loyalist communities. Brian’s presentation will incorporate extracts from a film project made by the partnership.

The group evolved from a marginalised minority PUL community in Derry, isolated from local decision-making, disillusioned at ineffective political unionism, to a group that has invested over £4m of capital infrastructure, with 22 staff and programme participation of over 3,000 members per annum. They have developed cross-community productions performing, locally and across the UK and island of Ireland including to the two most recent Taoiseachs and the Prime Minister as well as taking 45 bandsmen/women from Northern Ireland to the parade on St Patrick’s Day in Dublin in 2024. He will outline how this alternative delivery alliance has become a listening ear and strong advocate for the PUL community, has contributed to policy decision making, has the ear of both governments and engages on a range of civic outreach initiatives that continue to contribute to peacebuilding, including parading, bonfires and contentious symbolism. He will challenge the narrative that Protestants don’t engage in dialogue or peacebuilding, aren’t invested in their communities, are regressive in their social politics and aren’t concerned on the constitutional issue.

Peter Shirlow

Prof. Peter Shirlow FAcSS is the head of Irish Studies in Liverpool. He is the author and editor of several books including The End of Ulster Loyalism? - a TLS book of the year. He is a regular media contributor both nationally and globally. His work on reconciliation has been deployed in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the former Yugoslavia and Libya.

Brian Dougherty MBE Bsc(Hons) MTPL

Brian is CEO of the North-West Cultural Partnership a collaborative group for 6 cultural organisations and 23 staff who work extensively in civic engagement and Peacebuilding across the Derry/Strabane District Council area, the province, cross-border and internationally.

Brian has been involved in the voluntary and community sector as a volunteer and paid worker for over 27 years and a community volunteer for 40 years. For 10 years he was Development worker for the Tullyally and District Development Group and for 7 years, Director of St Columb’s Park House centre for Reconciliation in the city.

In September 2024 he was appointed to the Board of the North West Regional College. He is currently Co-Chair of Department for Communities Co-design group for the Ulster-Scots Heritage and Culture strategy. In December 2024 he was appointed High Sheriff for the County Borough of Londonderry.

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