'Blair Chair' in Irish Studies marks retirement

A £5 million Tony Blair Chair in Irish Studies is to be established at the University of Liverpool.

The announcement comes on the eve of the Prime Minister’s retirement.

The Blair Chair has been awarded to the University in recognition of the world-leading research, teaching and promotion of Irish affairs carried out by its Institute of Irish Studies.

The Institute, founded in 1988, has played a key role in developing and informing peace programmes in Northern Ireland and has worked closely with British and Irish Governments during the peace process.

The Blair Chair has been created by the Irish Government in recognition of the former Prime Minister’s instrumental role in helping to end the troubles in Northern Ireland by building strong relationships with the Irish Taoiseach and Northern Ireland politicians during his leadership of the UK Government.

Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said: “The Government has decided to honour the Prime Minister’s unique contribution to the improvement of British-Irish relations by endowing a Chair of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool in his honour.

“It is a fitting way to mark Tony Blair’s immense and historic contribution in helping bring peace to Ireland. It is a contribution that will be remembered by Irish people all over the world for as long as the history of our country is read and written.

“The endowment of £5 million also recognises the importance of Irish Studies internationally and the achievements to date of the Institute of Irish Studies in Liverpool, a city that has so many links with Ireland.”

The funding will also enable several postgraduate studentships and a new undergraduate programme in British and Irish Politics, which will be launched in 2008, the year Liverpool will celebrate its status as European Capital of Culture.

Institute researchers and students will also develop outreach work both in Ireland and elsewhere on various peace-building programmes within communities experiencing conflict.

(SP/JM)