History Now with Brian M. Walker, Professor Emeritus of Irish Studies at Queen’s University of Belfast and author of Irish History Matters.
While knowledge of history can explain our contemporary situation, an awareness of the myths and misuses of our history can bring a broader and more conciliatory approach to current political and social challenges are discussed by Brian M. Walker with Barry Sheppard.
History or, more correctly, ‘views of the past’ or ‘historical myths’ have shaped politics in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These views served in part to cause and sustain the ‘Troubles’. Eventually, many historical perceptions were challenged, which helped to promote the peace process. New ideas of revised and shared history were important. The impact of historical developments on identity is studied not just in Ireland, north and south, but also among the Irish diaspora, especially in America.
