The Conversations on Britishness and Irishness Series was initiated earlier this year as a way of facilitating open and respectful discussion about cultural and political identities in and relating to Ireland.

The series forms part of the Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South (ARINS) initiative – a partnership between The Royal Irish Academy and the Keough Naughton Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame, to generate authoritative, independent and non-partisan research and analysis on a range of important issues for contemporary Ireland.  

The event took place on Monday 15 May at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin and was co-hosted by the Mitchell Institute, the Royal Irish Academy and the Keough Naughton Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame. 

Participants included Doug Beattie MLA, Ulster Unionist Party; Joanna Cherry MP, Scottish National Party; and Claire Hanna MP, Social Democratic and Labour Party. The event was Chaired by Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan, University Provost at Ulster University. 

Mitchell Institute Director, Professor Richard English commented: “The Mitchell Institute is delighted to be partnering with Notre Dame and the RIA in hosting this important series of discussions about Irishness and Britishness. Constructive debate is vital for the present and future politics of these islands, and it is a positive development to see these conversations emerge and grow.” 

The Conversations on Britishness and Irishness Series was launched at Queen’s on 31 January 2023, with Dame Arlene Foster and former Taoiseach and Honorary Professor of Practice at the Mitchell Institute, Bertie Ahern, followed by questions and wider discussion from an invited audience. The event was chaired by William Crawley, Journalist and Broadcaster.

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