Brendan O’Leary Hon. MRIA Conversation Event

Brendan O'Leary is an Irish, European Union, and US citizen, and since 2003 the Lauder Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author, co-author, and co-editor of twenty eight books and collections, and the author or co-author of hundreds of articles or chapters in peer-reviewed journals, university presses, encyclopedia articles, and other forms of publication, including op-eds. His latest production is a three-volume study called A Treatise on Northern Ireland, published by Oxford University Press, which has been positively reviewed in the Dublin Review of Books, the Irish News, and the Irish Times.

He recently co-authored a research report, Northern Ireland and the UK’s Exit from the EU: What Do People Think? Evidence from Two Investigations: A Survey and a Deliberative Forum (PI: Garry, J., McNicholl, K., O’Leary, B., & Pow, J., Queen’s University Belfast, 2018 sponsored by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council), and is currently researching the UK's secession from the EU, and possible models of Irish re-unification.

Ben Lowry is a distinguished journalist and political commentator from Northern Ireland. Inter alia he has articulated the view that Northern Ireland’s establishment was an essential part of the administration of the island of Ireland.

Benburb Priory is an open religious community. Established by the Servite Order in 1949, it is committed to facilitating and enabling community development, support for the disadvantaged, education, peace-building, and the regeneration of the local and wider rural area. The Priory hosts over 20,000 visitors per year and is the regular meeting place of 33 groups covering a wide range of community, cultural and scholarly activities.

The Benburb Priory estate is itself of considerable historical interest. Originally a Wingfield/Powerscourt plantation estate, it was purchased in 1876 by James Bruce, a distiller. Bruce built the current manor house and adjoining stables. Bruce also remodeled Benburb village. After a period of relative disuse following Bruce’s death in 1917 the manor house became a field hospital for US, British and Belgian troops during the 2nd world war. It was purchased by the Servites in 1947 and opened as a Priory and house of studies for Servite students in 1949.

The Benburb Priory Library and Museum was established in 2017 with support from a number of funders including the Heritage Fund. Based in the refurbished stables building it houses unique collections with some books dating back to the 16th century. It includes Servite, Marian and O’Neill collections and the complete Servite archives for Great Britain and Ireland. It also celebrates over 1,000 years of local history. 

Venue: Benburb Priory Library and Museum, Main Street, Benburb, Co Tyrone BT 71 7JZ

Tickets: Available at the door on the night or can be purchased in advance by contacting contact hello@benburbpriory.com or call 07557023779. Members of the Royal Irish Academy email info@ria.ie for tickets