As part of the Keough-Naughton Institute's fall 2024 speaker series, Professor Peter Shirlow will deliver a lecture titled “The Failings of Irish Republicans and the National Question in Ireland.” Lecture Abstract This lecture will explore how, despite post-Brexit Referendum predictions of a united Ireland by as early as 2021, there has been, at best, limited growth in recorded support for ending partition between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Growth of Northern Ireland’s Catholic population has been less dramatic than predicted and the region now has the fastest growing economy in the UK. Peter Shirlow asserts that in this context, pro-united Ireland campaigns and republican activism, especially via civic fora and social media, have failed to significantly close the gap between Irish unity and pro-union proponents. In this lecture, Shirlow will consider how Irish Republican arguments for unity contain internal contractions: underscoring the economic successes of the South while also indicating its structural deficiencies, or pointing to socio-economic deficiencies of Northern Ireland even while Republicans are co-authors of its new found economic growth. Ultimately, Shirlow argues, the shortcomings of Irish republicanism lie in its inability to read and understand the new sociology of Northern Ireland– particularly temporal and social shifts that potentially render the inevitability thesis of Irish unification inconsistent, if not ineffective, in the short to medium term. Speaker Biography Professor Peter Shirlow (FaCSS) is the director at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies. He was formerly the deputy director of the Institute for Conflict Transformation and Social Justice, QUB. He is the independent chair of the Executive Office's Employers' Guidance on Recruiting People with Conflict-Related Convictions Working Group and a board member of the mental health charity Threshold. He is a visiting research professor at the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. He sits on the editorial boards of Irish Political Studies and International Planning Studies. Professor Shirlow has undertaken conflict transformation work in Northern Ireland and has used that knowledge in exchanges with governments, former combatants and NGOs in the former Yugoslavia, Moldova, Bahrain and Iraq. He has also presented talks to members of the US Senate and House of Representatives and is a regular media contributor. Originally published at irishstudies.nd.edu.

Ray Gindroz, co-founder and principal emeritus of Urban Design Associates, will explore innovative approaches to revitalizing inner cities through the transformation of public housing projects into vibrant, mixed-income neighborhoods. Drawing on more than five decades of experience in urban design, affordable housing, and participatory planning, Gindroz will discuss the role of architectural pattern books, traditional neighborhood design, and policies that support sustainable urban development. This lecture will highlight case studies from his extensive work with Urban Design Associates, showcasing strategies for fostering economic growth, social equity, and community resilience in urban environments. AIA CE credit available. Register Here Originally published at architecture.nd.edu.

The University of Notre Dame’s Department of Art, Art History & Design is proud to present its annual MFA thesis exhibition, highlighting the culminating work of four graduate students set to earn their Master of Fine Arts degrees in May 2025. This highly anticipated exhibition will be displayed in two groups, each offering a distinct and engaging artistic experience. The first exhibition will run from February 28 to March 20 at the AAHD Galleries (214/216 Riley Hall), featuring the thought-provoking works of Thomas Callahan and Emma Ryan. An opening reception will be held on Friday, February 28, from 5 to 7 pm, providing an opportunity to meet the artists and experience their work firsthand. The second exhibition will showcase the exceptional pieces of Norah Amstutz and Griffin Liu, on display from April 3 to April 16 at the AAHD Galleries. The opening reception for this group will take place on Friday, April 4, from 5 to 7 pm. This annual exhibition is a celebration of creativity, dedication, and artistic vision, offering visitors a glimpse into the future of contemporary art. We invite you to join us in supporting these talented emerging artists and experiencing their extraordinary work. Originally published at artdept.nd.edu.

Register here Join us for an engaging discussion on the groundbreaking Abraham Accords and their implications for national security, regional order, and popular representation in the Middle East. Signed on September 15, 2020, the accords normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and later Morocco, marking a major shift in regional dynamics. In this event, co-authors of The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation (Lexington Books, 2025) will explore the motivations and impacts of this historic agreement. They will analyze how political consolidation, pluralism, and regional alliances have shaped normalization trends with Israel and could influence future developments, especially amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Moderated by Asher Kaufman, John M. Regan, Jr. Director of the Kroc Institute for International Studies, the panel will provide key insights into Israel's relationships with the six Gulf Cooperation Council states—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and the UAE—as well as Iran. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the evolving dynamics of Middle Eastern politics and diplomacy. Panelists: Banafsheh Keynoush, scholar in residence, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre DameGuy Burton, visiting fellow, Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianisation Project, Lancaster University  Register here Originally published at kroc.nd.edu.

This exhibit commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War (1939-45) using primarily European visual sources recently acquired by Rare Books & Special Collections. It showcases more than 40 works on paper, including posters, maps, propaganda ephemera, and illustrated books, as well as photographs and first-hand accounts. The exhibit explores themes of Nazi racial ideology, the Holocaust, children in war, resistance, liberation, and memories of war. By examining images created for personal use and for state-sponsored propaganda, the exhibit presents a visual narrative of the war’s profound impact on individuals and societies, offering deeper insight into how this war was experienced and remembered. This exhibit is curated by Natasha Lyandres, Curator, Rare Books & Special Collections; Jean McManus, Catholic Studies Librarian, University Archives; and Julia Schneider, German Language and Literature and Italian Studies Librarian, Hesburgh Libraries. This and other exhibits within the Hesburgh Libraries are generously supported by the McBrien Special Collections Endowment. All exhibits are free and open to the public during business hours. Related Events Monday, March 31, 4:30 pmLecture: Martina Cucchiara, “Fervent Faith, Relentless Persecution: The Daily Life of Erna Becker-Kohen, a Catholic of Jewish Descent in Nazi Germany” Thursday, April 10, 4:30 pmLecture: Robert M. Citino, "The Fascist Lair: the Battle of Berlin" Tuesday, April 22, 4:30 pmYom HaShoah Program to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust Exhibit Tours Meet and speak with curators of the spring exhibit, "Tragedies of War: Images of WWII in Print Visual Culture." Monday, March 31, 3:30 pmThursday, April 10, 3:30 pmTuesday, April 22, 3:30 pm

In 1980, the University of Notre Dame became the first major university to boycott Campbell Soup products in support of Midwestern farmworkers represented by the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (Toledo, Ohio). In a few short months, a small and dedicated cohort of students tapped into a growing movement and convinced the campus to act in solidarity. This exhibit was created in conjunction with Somos ND, a campus-wide initiative to honor the history and legacy of Latino and Hispanic contributions to the University. It is curated by Emiliano Aguilar, assistant professor in the Department of History. This and other exhibits within the Hesburgh Libraries are generously supported by the McBrien Special Collections Endowment. All exhibits are free and open to the public during business hours.Open to undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, postdocs, the public, alumni, and friends