A forensic look into NI’S troubled past
WERE claims of discrimination against nationalists in housing and employment exaggerated during the civil rights era and beyond?
Is collusion “the crack cocaine of legacy and arguably the world’s longest running fake news story”?
To what extent is the Republic still a cold house for Protestants? Is the economic case for the Union weakening?
Enough material there to keep the Nolan Show going for a month or two — and just some of the fascinating issues tackled in a new book which examines and confronts many long-held views of our troubled past, not least the eternal question of whether violence was ever justifiable.
Co-edited by Patrick J Roche and Brian Barton “The Northern Ireland Question. Perspectives on Nationalism and Unionism” (Wordzworth, £15.99) brings together a ream of brilliant and highly respected academics, historians and economists addressing a range of contentious issues from the birth of the Northern Ireland state right through to Brexit.
Among contributors are Brian and Paddy themselves, Graham Gudgin, Cillian Mcgrattan, Esmond Birnie, Arthur Aughey, Robin Bury, Graham Walker, Dennis Kennedy, Andrew Charles and William Matchett who coined that withering description of collusion claims.
As the book’s snappy title might suggest, this is not light reading.
The fifth in a series co-edited by Brian Barton and Paddy Roche it’s a landmark book that will undoubtedly ruffle copious feathers.
As acclaimed historian Brian M Walker says with some understatement in his cover endorsement, this is a book which will “stimulate debate, challenge assumptions and cause not a little controversy.”
Highly recommended.