Opinion & Reviews

I just finished watching a most interesting programme. The series, The Hills Are Alive: A Year at Kylemore Abbey, documents different aspects of the Benedictine monastery in Galway’s Connemara.

“The number of vacant and derelict buildings in this country that could be transformed into homes is immense. Those buildings are a visual represenatation of the disappointment and frustration many feel in the struggle to get a home.

Many leading voices in academia, public policy, history, and civil society are optimistic about the prospects for a new Ireland. Professor Bredan O’Leary of the University of Pennsylvania, author of Making Sense of a United Ireland: Should it happen? How might it happen? points out that the demographic and political environment of Northern Ireland is changing steadily, leading to the increased likelihood of referenda being called. His analysis supports ongoing planning and public discussions in preparation for referenda being called.

Figures provided by the Minister of Finance in response to an Assembly Question tabled by Mr Durkan show that, as of 30 June 2026, there were 22,817 vacant properties across Northern Ireland.

“…it is the duty of the majority to leave no stone unturned, no means unused, to conciliate the reasonable or unreasonable prejudices of the unionist minority…it has been undoubtedly true that every Irish patriot has always recognised… that until the prejudices of the minority are conciliated…Ireland can never enjoy perfect freedom …so long as there is this important minority who consider rightly or wrongly… that the concession of legitimate freedom to Ireland means harm and damage to them.”