LASNIF

The aim of this project is to investigate the place of the arts and literature in the current negotiation of Ireland’s political and social future. Just over 100 years after partial independence and just over 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement which, ostensibly, put an end to the Northern Ireland Troubles (1968-1998), the moment is ripe for the ongoing conversation about Ireland’s future, both in political and social terms. The growth of the political party Sinn Féin, which openly advocates for Irish unity, both north and south of the border, comments in favour of Irish unity by former Fine Gael Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadker, the latest census results in the north, numerous public consultations, and the development of a series of governmental and grassroots movements and advocacy groups all demonstrate that there is an increasing interest in the question of a border poll and potential reunification. This is at least partly tied to the fallout from Brexit and the UK’s decision to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum. There is also, understandably, given the history of the island, some resistance to the very idea of Irish reunification. Moreover, this conversation goes beyond the mere question of potential unification to consider what kind of social pact this future iteration of Ireland might develop. The main objective of this research will be to consider the role occupied by literature and the arts in this conversation. The central hypothesis is that contemporary literature and theatre from both sides of the border have long been contributing to re-imagining Ireland, sketching out new political, social and environmental futures and inviting reflection and debate on the contours and risks at stake in a political reconfiguration of the island.