RSS
News


Writer Brian Keenan says imagination is key in Northern Irish politics


Brian Keenan speaks at the Sinn Fein conference in N.Y.
Brian Keenan speaks at the Sinn Fein conference in N.Y.


Gerry Adams' thoughts on a united Ireland, from the Sinn Fein conference in N.Y.: Click here

Niall O'Dowd: Game plan for a united Ireland: Click here

Photo gallery of the Sinn Fein conference: Click here

What can a writer add to political dialogue? A lot, it was clear, when Brian Keenan spoke at the Sinn Fein conference in the Hilton on Saturday.

“I’m not a historian, I’m not a politician, I’m not an expert of demographics,” Keenan said, standing before the large crowd. “But I want to tell you some stories. Stories about desire for belonging.”

The situation in Northern Ireland makes everyone feel displaced, Protestant and Catholic alike, Keenan suggested. If there is to be a united Ireland, it should be one that all groups feel they belong equally to.

Brian Keenan grew up in a liberal Protestant household, and his family was not particularly religious. The son of working class parents, he put himself through college and became an English professor. He accepted a job at the American University of Beirut, and it was there, in 1986, that he was kidnapped. He was held captive for four-and-a-half years.

But it was his childhood in Belfast that was relevant at the Sinn Fein conference on Saturday. He recalled how a Catholic neighbor, John Price, was bullied by local kids, and how those same children beat him up when he tried to defend Price. And he had several other stories of conflict and tension to tell.

Keenan’s father was in the Orange Order, and he joined too – or, as he puts it, “I was joined into the Orange Order” by a neighbor, and he remained in the group for six months. But he soon left because it was boring. “I was 10!” he told IrishCentral after his speech.

​


Comment

Be the first to make a comment.



IrishCentral logo
"Like" IrishCentral
IrishCentral Mobile QR code


Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account


or Sign-Up directly

Already Registered? Sign-In!

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Username:
E-Mail Address:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


Already Registered? Sign-In!
Forgot my password

Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Thank you!

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender: Male  Female 
Country:

Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

The Best of IrishCentral - Daily Newsletter
Special Offers from our sponsors

or
Skip

You can edit your information at any time, just go to "my account" when you're logged in.

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account


or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password
Not a member? Register Now!
submit to reddit
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail