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Ireland: Looking Beyond the Border

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28/03/2016

BBC Radio 4 - Ireland: Looking Beyond the Border

Chris Page examines the state of play between Irish nationalism and unionism.

BBC Ireland correspondent Chris Page examines the state of play between Irish nationalism and unionism 100 years after the Easter Rising, the key event in Republican history.

Irish Republicans once looked towards the centenary of the Easter Rising as the date by which they hoped Ireland would be one country. In 2016, the Irish border is still in place. But Republicans say their political strategy will deliver what IRA violence could not: a united Ireland. Unionists, though, say Northern Ireland's status within the UK has never been safer. In this programme, the BBC News Ireland Correspondent Chris Page examines the state of play within Irish nationalism and unionism 100 years after 1916.

The "Irish Question" has perplexed politicians, diplomats and academics in Britain and Ireland. But as Northern Ireland and the Republic approach their second century, the Question is changing. Ulster's Troubles are receding further into history. A new generation of political leaders are coming forward. Nationalists believe the peace process has provided them with the opportunity to persuade unionists to join the united Ireland project. But unionists are looking beyond the border too - But unionists are looking beyond the border too - perhaps to a hybrid political identity that transcends ideas of Britishness, or Irishness in favour of Northern Irishness. Chris has been asking the new voices in Irish politics - north and south - to explain their vision for the future. As the dimensions of the debate evolve, Chris investigates the economic arguments - and considers what, if anything, could bring another seismic shift in Ireland.

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