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.

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.

A professor of music theory at Florida State University and recent past president of the Society for Music Theory, Michael Buchler will discuss the 1959 musical Gypsy (Styne and Sondheim) though an examination of Momma Rose’s music and how it reflects her increasing obsessiveness and decreasing relationship with reality. Originally published at music.nd.edu.

ND students, drop by to crochet, knit, or embroider and enjoy conversation and community at the McDonald Center. B.Y.O. yarn and supplies or choose from available supplies. All experience levels are welcome. Originally published at mcwell.nd.edu.

Hackathon Overview The Hesburgh Libraries Hackathon challenges teams of 2-4 Notre Dame undergraduate students to design, create, and present a solution to everyday problems. The 2025 theme is "We Rise Together: Coding for a Better Collective Future." Teams will develop solutions that leverage technology to discover, visualize, or create connections among people, ideas, data, and more. When & Where April 4 – 6Hesburgh Library April 4, 6pm – 7pmOrientation and PizzaCompetition Begins April 5, noon – 6pmTeam Roster and Project Description Form DueSupper Available April 6, noon – 3pmLunchLightning Talks, Judging, Raffles, Awards See the full schedule. Prizes Teams showcase their projects in lightning talks, with the top entries garnering awards. 1st Place – $3,0002nd Place – $2,0003rd Place – $1,000Honorable Mention(s) – $500 See previous Hackathons. Click here to download the event poster.