For and Against a United Ireland

By: Fintan O'Toole, Sam McBride

Narrated by: Fintan O'Toole, Sam McBride

The prospect of Irish unification is now stronger than at any point since partition in 1921. Voters on both sides of the Irish border may soon have to confront for themselves what the answer to a referendum question would mean - for themselves, for their neighbours, and for their society.

Journalists Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride examine the strongest arguments for and against a united Ireland. What do the words 'united Ireland' even mean? Would it be better for Northern Ireland? Would it improve lives in the Republic of Ireland? And could it be brought about without bloodshed?

O'Toole and McBride each argue the case for and against unity, questioning received wisdom and bringing fresh thinking to one of Ireland's most intractable questions.

©2025 Fintan O'Toole, Sam McBride (P)2025 Royal Irish Academy

Oh Happy Day

Thank you for this cross-border analysis. Your arguments for/against are well structured and helpful. It will surely help ALL people living on the island we call Ireland; whether the Republic or N.I.

A massive mergers and acquisitions issue, there is no quick fix. A person might find that they would logically vote one way, but hearing the pros and cons laid down in your arguments, might vote a different way to gain a future for others that is open and free. In any solution, the need for education in Northern Ireland for both Catholic and Protestant children needs to be embraced and fast-tracked by their respective communities. A core curriculum in an integrated setting with well-trained local teachers is something everyone north of the border should be passionate about.

Why should a child have absolutely no chance in life - because you didn't? Can't serve in the military and have a career because it is prohibited for tribal reasons. Can't get into university because there are no slots. They currently can thrive as drug dealers, enforcers, Only Fans models, prostitutes and pedophiles. Failing that, they can slip quietly away in a local river. They deserve better and deserve immediate investment no matter who is running that portion of the island. It is funny that they are part of "free" "liberal" Great Britain, but their own tribal patriarchal cultures prohibit their own freedom and those of their children and neighbors. Would they allow themselves to be "free" in a unified Ireland?

Finally, you focus on loyalists as bullies. My biggest fear is the nationalist bullies thinking that the referendum/border poll was an endorsement for one-party one-island rule. You don't touch upon Sinn Fein, but I think they could be more ideologically frightening post-unification than any fever-dream Loyalist gun toting uprising. BTW - I am an Ulster Catholic from the Republic!

Thank you for caring about all the people on the island and - let's hope - they care enough about their children to listen to your arguments. I trust they will make the right decisions for themselves and their descendants whenever that time may come.

good introduction to both sides

I think this is a good book to show both sides, without emotion driven nationalist (Irish or British) feelings

Should be required reading

A very sensible exposition of the impending complexities of any effort to unite Ireland.