Unions, Break-ups and Special Relationships – Aspects of the Irish-German-UK Relationships
by students of GE6021 at University of Limerick and Gisela Holfter
Limerick 4-5 November 2021: This conference organised by the Centre for Irish-German Studies (CIGS) in coordination with Faculty of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, Ulster University, the Centre for European Studies, University of Limerick and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) successfully took place at the University of Limerick. It focused on three aspects: first, a major feature was a discussion of the initial impact and ongoing repercussions of Brexit for British-German Relations and British Studies in Germany/German Studies in the UK as well as Irish-German relations and German Studies in Ireland and Irish Studies in Germany. Secondly, we reflected on German unification from a cultural and political perspective. Focusing on reunification itself, this part asked what lessons can be learned from the German experience and whether - keeping in mind the vastly different situation in Ireland North and South, there are aspects of the German experience that could of interest in the ‘Shared Ireland, Shared Island’ discussions. And thirdly and last but by no means least the engagement with Europe and the European Union in Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit was a focal point. This part analysed the situation north and south of the Irish border vis-a-vis the EU and the European context of economic, legal, policy and cultural questions. This report covers all parts of the conference.
