As part of Holywell Trust’s Forward Thinking Project, we were pleased to welcome Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride to discuss their newly published book, ‘For and Against a United Ireland’, commissioned by the ARINS Project. The event took place at Holywell Trust on 9th December 2025.

Written for the general reader by two of the island’s most renowned political journalists, the book gives an up to date, comprehensive, evidence-based examination of the arguments for—and against—Irish unity.

The event was chaired by Freya McClements, author and Northern Editor with The Irish Times.

L-R: Programme Manager Sara Duddy, Sam McBride, Fintan O’Toole, Director Gerard Deane

About Forward Thinking

The Forward Thinking project is supported by PEACE PLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It is funded through Derry City and Strabane District Council’s PEACEPLUS Local Co-Designed Action Plan, under the theme of Celebrating Cultural Diversity.

Forward Thinking is an adult dialogue project focused around the future of North- South and East-West relationships. It includes exploring constitutional questions and challenges from a diverse range of perspectives, and considers NI in a global context.

To find out more please visit: www.holywelltrust.com/forward-thinking

About ‘For and Against a United Ireland’

Structured in four parts, the volume gives each writer equal room to champion and to challenge the case for Irish unity. From the deceptively simple question ‘What does a ‘united Ireland’ actually mean?’ to the hard‑headed calculus of public services, taxation, and identity, O’Toole and McBride probe every fault line with forensic precision and intellectual flair. The text is illustrated with cartoons by celebrated political artist Fergus Boylan.

About ARINS – Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South

The ARINS Project was established in 2020 as a partnership between the Royal Irish Academy and the University of Notre Dame. ARINS is a nonpartisan, evidence-based research initiative that enables academics, practitioners and policymakers to explore questions and policy options for Ireland – north and south. ARINS seeks to engage recognised experts across the spectrum of disciplines, perspectives and points of view and invites contributions in the form of academic papers, blog posts and proposals for partnerships.