March Political figures and experts discuss US-Ireland relations and peacebuilding at Boston College

Political figures and distinguished academic experts gathered at Boston College to explore past, present and future contributions of the US to peacebuilding and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.

The conference, ‘Peace, Prosperity, and Future Relations: The U.S. and Ireland North and South’, also focused on the unique relationship between the United States and both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

A collaboration between the Boston College Irish Institute, University of Galway, and Queen's University Belfast, the event featured discussions from key political and governmental figures, as well as renowned academics of Irish and Northern Irish politics and history.

2025 marks the 180^th anniversary since the Queen’s Colleges in Belfast, Galway and Cork were founded in 1845.

The conference examined critical issues such as the role of the US in fostering peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, the ongoing political developments in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and the shifting dynamics of US-Ireland relations in light of changing political landscapes. Topics ranged from the historical contributions of US diplomacy to the future of US involvement in Northern Ireland’s peace process.

Professor Niall Ó Dochartaigh, Professor of Political Science at University of Galway, a 2024-25 Fulbright fellow researching US civil society peace-making efforts during the Troubles at NYU, said: “At a time of huge uncertainty about the role of the United States on the International stage, the country's contribution to the ending of the Northern Ireland conflict demonstrates the potential for the US to play a positive and significant role in peacemaking when it takes a balanced and principled approach and sustains engagement over the long-term.”

Notable speakers included U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal, an advocate for Irish-American relations, Simon Coveney, former Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mark Durkan, former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), Lee Reynolds, former Director of Policy for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin.

The conference, which represents a benchmark in the Boston College-University of Galway-Queen’s University Belfast partnership launch in 2024, also featured a number of distinguished academics including Dr Helen Maher, University of Galway Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Professor Ó Dochartaigh, University of Galway; David Quigley, Boston College; Professor Mary Murphy; Boston College Irish Institute; and Dr Peter McLoughlin from Queen's University Belfast.

Ends