This ambitious work aims to broaden our understanding of Irish partition and the border that it created. The volume comprises fourteen essays, curated into five sections, which together offer a multidisciplinary perspective on both the historic context and contemporary impacts of the partition of Ireland.
The first section, which makes an original contribution to the broader historiography, lays the groundwork for understanding partition within an international context. Jason Knirck's chapter highlights the various international lenses that were applied to the Irish question, comparing Ireland with Quebec/Canada and Upper Silesia. The choice to focus on these two examples is an astute one, given that both case studies were used by contemporary commentators to support, as well as to oppose, partition in Ireland. This has allowed Knirck to masterfully showcase the complexity of narratives during the process and early years of partition. This is complemented by Erik Goldstein's chapter on post-First World War peace-making efforts and the transformation of diplomatic opinion from viewing partition as part of the problem towards a meaningful solution. The section concludes with Lorna Lloyd's contribution on the strained diplomatic relations between Ireland and Australia in the first decade of Queen Elizabeth II's reign; the Republic of Ireland's constitutional claim to Northern Ireland raised questions about the appointment of Australian ambassadors to the Republic. This is an excellent piece of thought-provoking scholarship, although the subject matter stands somewhat apart from the previous two chapters.
The second section on society and the economy opens with Cormac Moore's interesting reappraisal of how partition manifested itself across the sporting world. Whilst recapping the well-trodden histories of the G.A.A., I.R.F.U. and I.F.A./F.A.I., usefully Moore also offers insights into the post-partition realities for hockey, athletics and cycling, as well as Olympic triumphs. Liam Kennedy's contribution is undoubtedly unusual; part-personal reflection, part-soothsayer, Kennedy reflects on his own 1986 work Two Ulsters: a case for repartition and explores the potential constitutional futures of Northern Ireland. As interesting as the discussion is, Kennedy's essay lacks any firm conclusion. Graham Brownlow's offering is arguably the highlight of this section; his critical discussion usefully dispels the fundamental miscalculations advocated by scholars in the past and offers a more nuanced insight into the two Irelands’ poor economic performances in the decades after partition. One particularly interesting conclusion is that ‘there is evidence of Protestant [economic] privilege on both sides of the border’ (p. 136), which is worthy of further research.
The third section is entitled ‘Border conflict’. Okan Ozseker's microhistory of the impact of partition in the north-west is another valuable addition, suggesting the existence of a distinctive borderlands region within a nine-county Ulster. While the conclusion — that partition ‘affected all levels of society and deepened the peripheralisation of places on both sides of the border’ — is not surprising, the claim that the north-west was ‘the region hardest hit’ by partition feels unsubstantiated (p. 159). Patrick Mulroe's dissection into the ‘bandit county’ myth of South Armagh is a helpful addition to dispelling the enduring trope of regional exceptionalism popularised by Toby Harnden's 1999 book, Bandit country: the IRA and South Armagh, but primarily focuses its discussion post-1969. Shifting the focus towards a British perspective, Stephen Kelly also investigates the controversial legacy of Margaret Thatcher and questions the nature of her unionist credentials during her premiership.
Leeann Lane's critique of Dorothy Macardle's writings in the fourth section (on nationalism) explores the role of propaganda and cultural narratives in shaping the perception of partition after 1925. The theme of the forgotten northern nationalists links well to P. J. McLoughlin's analysis of John Hume's redefinition of partition through the principle of consent. This adds a nuanced layer to our understanding of nationalist thinking in a divided Ireland. In chapter 12, Sean McGraw explores the birth and consolidation of catch-all parties in the Irish Free State and Republic of Ireland, which serves as an insightful reminder that partition and the party system that it entrenched, continues to shape the realities of contemporary Irish politics.
In the book's shortest, yet arguably its most original section (on unionism), Timothy McMahon offers an excellent reassessment of unionism's affiliation to partition, an oft underdeveloped and misunderstood relationship. Exploring the multifaceted spectrum of unionism, McMahon highlights how various factions aimed to utilise the legacy of the Ulster Covenant to accept or advocate for their preferred version of partition. N. C. Fleming's essay on the Conservative right complements McMahon's study, tracing the often-fractious relationship between the British Conservative party and Ulster unionism from 1887 through to 2020.
Fleming and Murphy's edited volume is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the partition of Ireland and its legacies. Its interdisciplinary approach and fresh perspectives make it a noteworthy addition. However, like any work, it is not without flaws. While the book's expansive scope is commendable, it does lead to a somewhat disjointed narrative. The chronological and thematic leaps, notably from international contexts to specific societal impacts, are disorienting. Additionally, it cannot be ignored that of the fifteen contributors to the book, only two are women. Another concern regarding the volume is the price; whilst not something that is often discussed in an academic review, the retail price is inexplicable and will undoubtedly limit the dissemination of this valuable and insightful collection of essays.
Despite these critiques, Ireland and partition is an important contribution to the field of Irish studies. Its strength lies in its ability to present a multifaceted view of partition, moving beyond simplistic narratives to explore the complex and often contradictory realities of the most enduring legacy of Ireland's revolutionary past.
