Ireland and the European Union: The First Thirty Years by Jim Hourihane

Ireland, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, has changed enormously since 1973 when the Irish electorate’s decision to join the then European Economic Community was put into effect. The country is different and so too are its people. Ireland and the European Union examines the complex inter-relationship between Ireland and the EU over the last three decades. Speaking of the papers that form this book, Séamus Hosey – producer of the Thomas Davis Radio Series – says: “The list of distinguished contributors covers a wide spectrum of political, economic, social and cultural issues, examining in depth the issues which have effected Ireland over the first thirty years of the new partnership. Each contributor draws on his or her own area of expertise to present a colourful, exciting and comprehensive tapestry for our changing times”.

Contributors:

• Jim Hourihane (St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin)
• Professor Michael Cronin (Dublin City University)
• Cathryn Costello (Trinity College, Dublin)
• David Begg (General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions)
• Dr Brigid Laffan (University College, Dublin)
• Dr Garrett Fitzgerald (Former Taoiseach of Ireland)
• Dr Larry Siedentop (Keble College, University of Oxford)
• An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, T.D.

ABOUT THE EDITOR

JIM HOURIHANE lectures in Geography in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin. He devised and acted as consulting editor of the Thomas Davis radio series – Engaging Spaces – that was broadcast by RTÉ in Ireland and by National Public Radio (NPR) in America. He has written extensively in the area of geographic education and is author and editor of more than forty books. He is President of the Geographical Society of Ireland, 2004-06.