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Sandycove has landed a "significant" new book about the future of Northern Ireland by prize-winning scholar and constitutional adviser Professor Brendan O’Leary.
Michael McLoughlin, publisher, bought world rights directly from the author. The currently untitled book will publish on 1st September 2022.
The publisher said: "Irish unification has long been deemed impossible. For many it still is, especially because of the long conflict — or war, or ‘Troubles’ — in the latter half of the 20th century. By 2030 the demographic and electoral domination of Protestants over Catholics, of Ulster unionists over Northern nationalists, of loyalists over republicans, will have ended. Political developments in the UK, and north and south of the Irish border, mean that unification will be possible. But it is not inevitable. And even those who want unification are not adequately prepared.
"In his book, Brendan O'Leary, distinguished political scientist and global expert on the politics of Northern Ireland for many decades, explains how Irish unification could happen, explores various forms a united Ireland might take and teases out the key questions those living in Ireland — north and south — and in Great Britain need to consider in facing this difficult conundrum. This book will be a fascinating, original and essential book about this urgent national and international question."
McLoughlin said: "None of us can have missed the intense political and media attention the subject of a possible united Ireland has been getting over the past couple of years, particularly since Brexit happened 12 months ago. But what shape might a united Ireland take and how might it even happen? Prof Brendan O’Leary’s scholarship in this area has been outstanding and I was thrilled when he accepted our invitation to write an accessible book for a general readership. It will be essential reading for readers on both islands."
O’Leary added: "I’m honoured and delighted to have been commissioned by Michael McLoughlin and his colleagues at Sandycove. And I am glad of the opportunity to bring clarity to many of the trickiest and most controversial questions surrounding Irish reunification. The fortunate and timely award of a Fulbright Fellowship to Galway has given me the peace and quiet necessary to think and write."