A lecture by Brendan O'Leary: The US, Irish America, & the Irish Peace Process: Preliminary Reflections, Observations & Recollections.

If the realist theories of international relations were correct, there would have been little or no sustained U.S. governmental involvement in the Irish peace process in the 1990s and beyond. Yet history tells a different story. What explains the enduring role of Irish America in shaping U.S. policy toward Irish nationalism, particularly in relation to Northern Ireland? How has that influence evolved over time, and what does the future hold? Is the familiar narrative of a "vanishing" Irish and Irish-American presence in U.S. politics truly plausible? 

Ireland's relationship with the United States has long rested on ancestral ties, shared democratic values, and the influence of a powerful diaspora. Economic connections between the two counties are substantial, and U.S. political and economic support has been critical in securing and sustaining peace in Northern Ireland.

In this Irish Institute lecture, Brendan O'Leary, Lauder Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, examines the political relationships linking Ireland, Irish America, and the United States, with particular attention to the Northern Ireland peace process and the sources of sustained Amereican engagement. 

This event is free and open to the public and will feature an expert discussion and audience questions, followed by a complimentary reception. All are welcome, but registration is required. Please register here.