Building a Green Wall
Irish America’s Resurgence Post-Brexit
By Kimberly Cowell-Meyers and Carolyn Gallaher
Published
Oct 21, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1529238006Dimensions
216 x 140 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Oct 21, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1529237993Dimensions
216 x 140 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Oct 21, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1529238013Dimensions
216 x 140 mmImprint
Bristol University Press
Building a Green Wall
In the aftermath of Britain’s 2016 decision to leave the EU, the Irish American ethnic lobby remobilized to defend the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement from the threats posed by Brexit.
Brexit deepened tensions in Northern Ireland and created rifts between Ireland and the UK. Drawing on interviews in Washington, Belfast, Dublin and London, the authors in this book explore how the lobby shaped US policy towards Brexit in order to prevent the reimposition of a hard border on the island of Ireland and preserve peace. The authors also consider the lobby’s approach to other contentious issues, including a United Ireland and Troubles-related investigations.
Kimberly Cowell-Meyers is Associate Professor in the Government Department at American University, Washington, D.C.
Carolyn Gallaher is Professor at the School of International Service at American University, Washington, D.C.
1. Pheonix Rising
2. Short History of Irish America
3. Ethnic Lobbies
4. Brexit and the Problem of Northern Ireland
5. Irish America Remobilises
6. Facing Down the Internal Market Bill
7. Irish America, Joe Biden, and the Path to the Windsor Framework
8. Legacy and the Limits of Irish American Influence
9. The Elephant in the Room: Irish Unity after Brexit
10. Irish America: A Force to be Reckoned with on Brexit
