情色空间

At the end of her wide-ranging 鈥渇ireside chat鈥� with Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason last week in Burns Library, Boston College Irish Institute Director Mary Murphy invited her guest to offer a message to the U.S.

Noting that the December 2 event was a commemoration of 100 years of Irish-American diplomatic relations, Byrne Nason gave thanks to the U.S. for its support of Ireland as an independent nation (鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 even have this job if not for you,鈥� she quipped). But since part of her talk with Murphy concerned President-elect Donald Trump鈥檚 long-stated negative views of international alliances, Byrne Nason felt compelled to add something else.

鈥淚 would say this: Don鈥檛 let our hands go now. We need you as a voice of reason in international matters. It鈥檚 in your interests, not just Ireland鈥檚.鈥�

With its nod to Irish-American history as well as a glance forward, the Murphy-Byrne Nason conversation provided an appropriate setting for the official re-launch of the Irish Institute. Founded in 1998, the institute drew widespread praise for its programs and initiatives promoting reconciliation between Ireland and Northern Ireland through increased mutual understanding and cross-border partnerships. Over time, the institute broadened its geographical scope to include other regions, but retained an Irish focus in the midst of various political and economic developments.

The Irish Institute had lain dormant since the death in 2022 of Robert Mauro, its director for 11 years. But this past summer saw the arrival of Murphy, who had been head of the Department of Government and Politics at University College Cork, to reimagine the institute and its role in bolstering 情色空间鈥檚 engagement with the economic, social, political, and cultural landscape of all Ireland.

Reflecting recently on her first semester at 情色空间, Murphy鈥攚ho also joined the Political Science faculty as a professor鈥攚as upbeat on the institute鈥檚 future and equally enthusiastic about her part in it. 听

鈥淭he focus of the Irish Institute has always been supporting the peace process established through the Good Friday Agreement, and that will continue to be our mission,鈥� said Murphy. 鈥淪upporting peace and reconciliation is a multigenerational task, and an important part of that involves promoting understanding and awareness of the issues and challenges facing the island of 滨谤别濒补苍诲.鈥� 听

She noted the emergence of new public-policy challenges and priorities鈥攊ncluding climate change, migration, and security issues鈥攖hat pose tests for Ireland and many other countries. Because Ireland exists within the European Union, 鈥渢hat framework is critical for understanding Irish policies and interests,鈥� said Murphy.

鈥淭his is very relevant in considering the situation in Ukraine鈥攁nd the possible destabilization of the European continent鈥攁nd the U.S.-NATO relationship. Historically, Ireland has defined itself as 鈥榥eutral,鈥� but now there is some suggestion that Ireland needs to think more strategically.鈥�

In this context, she said, hosting the Irish ambassador to Ireland鈥檚 oldest ally was an opportunity to affirm the countries鈥� longstanding friendship while noting the complexities of 21st-century international relations.

鈥淗er 鈥榙on鈥檛 let go of our hands鈥� remark was quite powerful. It also was interesting to hear her talk about it being okay for the U.S. and Ireland to disagree about issues such as Gaza, but still maintain a close, working relationship. She articulated the need for dialogue and networking during the next administration, which will not be as connected to Ireland as the Biden administration has been. The Irish Institute will speak to these and other themes through our programming and activities, whether hosted on campus or elsewhere.鈥�

In fact, she noted, as a prelude to the fireside chat with Byrne Nason, the institute held a forum last month in Connolly House to discuss the 2024 presidential election results and their possible implications for Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the U.S. 鈥淲e see an event like this as another aspect of the institute: helping the 情色空间 community, as well as the larger Boston-area and Irish American communities, to deepen their understanding of contemporary Ireland.

鈥淚 knew about 情色空间鈥檚 connection with Ireland, but being here I have been
impressed by its strong Irish heritage and focus, from stained-glass
windows to the Irish names on campus buildings to the evident interest
among students, faculty, and staff in all aspects of Irish history,
politics, and culture,鈥� said Murphy, who will lead a teaching seminar,
Peace and Politics in Ireland, in the spring. 鈥淭he presence of the Irish
Institute clearly adds to the depth and breadth of 情色空间鈥檚 dedication to
滨谤别濒补苍诲.鈥�