Where now for nationalism to be probed at local event

Where now for nationalism to be probed at local event

12 August 2015

THE direction of nationalism and the prospect of a united Ireland will be up for discussion at a new political summer school in Killough this weekend. 

The one-day public event will take place on Saturday in the village’s Youth and Community Hall.

The Lighthouse Summer School has been set up by Slugger O’Toole blogger Chris Donnelly and Irish News journalist and Killough man John Manley, who are hoping to turn it into an annual fixture. 

The title of this year’s inaugural free event is ‘What Now Nationalism?: Plotting the road map to a united Ireland’, and will bring together different strands of nationalism and republicanism from both sides of the border.

Taking part in a morning panel discussion will be Irish News columnist Tom Kelly, Fianna Fáil senator Thomas Burns and Sinn Féin senator Kathryn Reilly.

The context for the day’s discussion will be set in a presentation by Mr Donnelly — a regular contributor to BBC Sunday Politics and UTV Live Tonight — who will present an assessment of Irish nationalism as the centenary of the Easter Rising approaches.

He will address the contradictory notions that nationalism has never been more confident and comfortable with itself despite the goal of Irish unification remaining a distant objective.

“In spite of being increasingly self-confident about its place and identity both within the north and Ireland as a whole, the evidence firmly indicates that northern nationalists are voting in decreasing numbers, an obvious cause for concern for those seeking to promote Irish unity,” said Mr Donnelly.

“Ironically, there is an argument to be made that a united Ireland is now closer than ever before, but that doesn’t mean it’s particularly close to happening nor that it is inevitable.”

In the afternoon Irish News Political correspondent and Killough resident John Manley will host a discussion at which the public will be invited to air their thoughts or ask the panelists questions.

“The event is open to anyone with an interest in politics and particularly Irish nationalism,” Mr Manley said.  

“It’s not a party political event and we welcome many voices — but the conversations will be unashamedly nationalist in so far as they will focus on how Irish unity can be realised.”

The event will begin at 10.30am.