Making Sense of a United Ireland by Brendan O’Leary

Will Ireland really reunite? Throughout the century since partition, unification seemed impossible. Many still feel that it is, particularly because of the bloody legacy of past conflict. However, by 2030, if not sooner, Ulster unionists’ demographic and electoral advantages will be over. And in the light of Brexit, the rising popularity of Sinn F?in, political developments on both sides of the border and within Great Britain, Irish unification referendums will become increasingly likely. Yet even those who want these to happen are not prepared. ‘Making Sense of a United Ireland’ is a landmark exploration of this most contentious of issues.