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Kielty talks exclusively to OU on Irish documentary themes

Posted on • TV and radio

Patrick Kielty and Philip O'Sullivan, Dragonfly TV

Broadcaster Patrick Kielty won plaudits for his reflections on the future for Northern Ireland in a recent BBC/OU co-production.

Broadcast last month, Patrick Kielty: One Hundred Years of Union looked back on the 100th anniversary year of the creation of Northern Ireland in a very personal documentary.

As well as considering the current unrest amid the new trade border in the Irish Sea and the viewpoint of a new younger generation, Kielty reflected on the past conflict in Northern Ireland, which claimed the life of his father Jack.

Expanding on themes of identity and place

Patrick also looked deeper, exploring why some feel that a united Ireland could now be on the horizon and how the trauma of Northern Ireland’s past might actually help to shape its future.

Now the OU is giving viewers a chance to hear more from Kielty from an exclusive chat he had with OU academic and consultant on the documentary Dr Philip O’Sullivan where they expand on the themes covered in the film.

These include themes of Irish and British identity, attitudes towards Brexit, and the different faces of nationalism across the four nations.

Dr Philip O’Sullivan is a Senior Lecturer in Geography and a Staff Tutor in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) based in the Belfast office of The Open University.

His research background is in political theory as well as Irish history and politics. His current research interests include the international political economy of the environment. Philip also currently teaches Environmental Politics at The Open University.

Explore qualifications and modules from the OU related to this programme:

  • R23 BA (Honours) Social Sciences
  • Q69 BA (Honours) Combined Social Sciences
  • R44 BA (Honours) Geography
  • Individual Modules:
  • DD102 Introducing the social sciences
  • DD103 Investigating the social world
  • D225 Changing geographies of the United Kingdom (starting 22B)

Programme credits:

  • Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast & Partnerships
  • Academic Consultant: Dr Philip O’Sullivan
  • Media Fellow: Dr Alison Penn
  • Broadcast Project Manager: Clair Robinson
  • Broadcast Platforms and Public Engagement Manager: Chris Belson

Main Image: Philip O’Sullivan and Patrick Kielty, copyright Dragonfly TV.