The Last Irish Question Will Six Into Twenty-Six Every Go?

by Glenn Patterson

A view of the south of Ireland - political, social, geographical - through the eyes of a liberal northern protestant being asked to rejoin it.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, ebook

Published October 7, 2021

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glenn Patterson loves to bring in obscure references, and I imagine it is often to provide himself a chuckle. Some of them made sense to me, and others were truly obscure. I am American but I have read a great deal of fiction and nonfiction from Northern Ireland. Patterson's task was to talk to people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland about what they thought were the chances that they would unite into a single country. Unification has long been the goal of Irish nationalists and Irish Republicans. He traveled to out of the way spots in the North and the South to talk to people.

When he got into the weeks of the DUP - the Northern Ireland political party- I was often lost. But it didn't matter because this Protestant Unionist party is so entrenched in its resistance to anything that makes sense, it wasn't worth my time to follow the ins and outs of the DUP. They change their positions often - sometimes several times in the same day. So there were sections of this book I skimmed.

I learned a number of issues that might make reunification difficult. These included the significant difference in incomes - those in the North are lower. The higher cost of health care in the South. The DUP is entrenched in their resistance to anything that is not in the interests of hardcore Unionism. My impression reading this book is that reunification is further away than some would think.

Patterson is often humorous. He is irreverent. I would guess that his style isn't everyone's taste.

[Lothario · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good account of the mood of Ireland towards unification during the pandemic. The book covered the does consider both sides of the Irish question with numerous considerations. Niall mentioned the atrocities committed by the various paramilitaries and called out politicians who celebrated these crimes. Another important areas pointed out was the tit for tat nature of Sinn Fein and the DUP governance putting squabbles ahead of running Northern Ireland for the benefit of its residents.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus Ltd for a copy of “The Last Irish Question Will Six Into Twenty-Six Ever Go? in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book takes a look at all aspects of Northern Ireland and Ireland from sports to politics, Covid to religion. If you would like to learn more about this amazing place, this book takes a serious but at times humorous look at the past, present and future.

[Laura Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting look at the topic of Irish unity. Told over the course of a year and framed through the four Irish holidays to mark the changing of the seasons, Glen travels across Ireland and asks those in the South whether they would accept the North. He also unpick many of the key areas of society that would need to change under a united Ireland such as education, healthcare and culture. The writing style is conversational and made it very enjoyable to read.

[David Doherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book and an easy read. But if you are from the North and are aware already of the events and pints he references it can be a tad dull. Never reaches and conclusions or attempt to answer any questions.

A good book but I just couldn’t get into it stopped halfway through

[E D Vaughan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since school days I have visited Northern Ireland mainly to play rugby— I have worked with Northerners both in Ireland and abroad. The one thing which has struck me is the fact that those of Unionist persuasion feel deeply that they are British not Irish. Some feel because of that identity they are ‘ superior’ which I presume goes back to the days when Belfast was major city of the Empire. The majority of Southerners whilst desiring of unification— are unlikely to support such efforts if there is a financial cost.

[Emmi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think the author should have mentioned on the cover page that this book is only for Irish. As a foreigner, I learned nothing from it. It’s just a book of personal anecdotes of the author.

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of, The Last Irish Question, by Glen Patterson. I thought this book was going to be great. I was sorely mistaken. An awful book. I did not like the language or his sense of humor.