Irish nationalism was strong in Ulster, however the complexity and diversity of the history of northern nationalism has been reduced due to the more recent perspectives on 'the Troubles'. But this diversity needs to be re-examined and articulated, especially in the context of contemporary Northern Ireland and the North/South relationship.
This one-day conference will explore Ulster Nationalism at the turn of the twentieth century – the Irish Parliamentary Party tradition, Sinn Féin/Irish Republican Brotherhood and cultural traditions. The conference will use historical figures and their narratives to explore the role of Constitutional Nationalism (Joe Devlin); Cultural Nationalism (Alice Milligan) and the complexity of Nationalist experiences (Eoin MacNeill). The role of the literary cultural experience, class and gender is central to this debate. Similarly why Nationalism is traditionally associated with, and confined to, Catholicism will be examined. While the primary focus of the conference is on Northern Nationalism – a diverse tradition which included Protestants and Catholics – the conference will conclude with a session that explores Ulster Unionists’ response to Ulster Nationalism.
By recognising that Ulster Nationalism is not owned or confined to any one particular identity or grouping, we can engage in a more complicated, but ultimately enriched understanding of Nationalism North and South, and we can reflect on what it means for contemporary Northern Ireland and the island as a whole.
The conference is organised by the Irish Humanities Alliance, Royal Irish Academy and Queen's University Belfast, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade’s Reconciliation Fund and Ireland 2016.
Schedule:
09:45-10:15 Registration
10:15-10:30 Welcome
10:30-11:30 Panel One: The Parliamentary Tradition of Nationalism
11:30-11:45 Coffee
11:45-12:45 Panel Two: The Socialist and Republican Tradition
12:45-14:00 Lunch
14:00-15:00 Panel Three: Cultural Nationalism
15:00-15:15 Coffee
15:15-16:15 Panel Four: Ulster Unionists’ response to Ulster Nationalism
16:15-16:45 Wrap Up Session
Panel One: The Parliamentary Tradition of Nationalism
Chair: Professor Seán Farren, SDLP
Speakers
Dr Conor Mulvagh, Lecturer in Irish History at University College Dublin - Joe Devlin
Dr Éamon Phoenix, Principal Lecturer in History and Head of Lifelong Learning at Stranmillis University College, Queen’s University, Belfast - Cahir Healy and Northern Nationalism
Dr Mary Harris, Senior Lecturer in the Department of History, National University of Ireland, Galway - Eoin MacNeill and the Irish Parliamentary Party
Panel Two: The Socialist and Republican Tradition
Chair: Tom Hartley, Historian and author
Speakers
Fearghal McCluskey, author of ‘The Irish Revolution 1912-1923, Tyrone’ - Republicanism in Mid Ulster
Dr Marnie Hay, St. Patrick’s Campus, Dublin City University - Bulmer Hobson
Dr Margaret Ward, Visiting Fellow in Irish History, Queen's University Belfast - Winifred Carney: feminist, socialist, republican
Panel Three: Cultural Nationalism
Chair: Dr Fearghal McGarry, Reader in Modern Irish History, Queen's University Belfast
Dr Catherine Morris, author of ‘Alice Milligan and the Irish Cultural Revival’ - Alice Milligan
Dr Margaret O Callaghan, School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy, Queen's University Belfast - Casement, nationality and Empire
Professor Anthony Roche, Associate Professor in the School of English, Drama and Film, University College Dublin - The Reclamation of Ernest Blythe
Panel Four: Ulster Unionists’ response to Northern Nationalism
Chair: Cllr. Colin McCusker, Ulster Unionist Party General Secretary
Dr Martin Mansergh, Deputy Chair of the Irish Government Expert Advisory Group on the Decade of Centenaries - Personal Observation
David Fitzpatrick, Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College, Dublin - Frederick MacNeice in Carrickfergus: Home Ruler or Unionist?
Dr Kyle Hughes, Lecturer in British History, Ulster University - Ulster Unionist Opposition to Northern Nationalism