From 20–22 January 2026, the Fellowship Class of 2026 gathered in Dublin for an intensive and thought-provoking residential focused on leadership, relationships, and shared futures.
The residential began with a visit to the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), where Fellows heard from artist Amanda Dunsmore and Johanne Mullan, Curator of Collections at IMMA. Amanda shared insights from her socio-political practice, including her powerful work The Agreement, which reflects on peace-making, representation, and civic dialogue. Johanne offered a curatorial perspective on the role cultural institutions play in shaping public understanding and creating space for dialogue. We are truly grateful to Sheena Barrett and the IMMA team for hosting us and enabling time to pause, question assumptions, and see issues from new perspectives.
On Tuesday evening, Fellows were honoured to attend a reception hosted by H.E. Kara Owen at her residence in south Dublin. The discussion highlighted the enduring importance of strong East–West relationships built on trust, mutual understanding, and respect. For Northern Ireland, these relationships remain vital to building a prosperous and stable future. We extend our sincere thanks to the Ambassador and the wider British Embassy Dublin team for their generous hospitality and thoughtful engagement.
Wednesday and Thursday continued at pace, with a focus on North–South cooperation, economic trends, and comparative peacebuilding. Fellows engaged with the Shared Island Initiative and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, exploring current economic and social challenges and opportunities across the island of Ireland. A briefing from the Economic and Social Research Institute provided insight into economic trends in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, prompting a rich discussion on shared futures and practical collaboration.
The residential concluded with sessions at Trinity College Dublin, where Dr David Mitchell and Dr Dong Jin Kim led a compelling comparative discussion on the Irish and Korean peace processes. Dr Kim’s reflections emphasised the importance of sustained leadership, civic engagement, and learning across contexts in building long-term peace.
Overall, it has been a deeply engaging and thought-provoking few days in Dublin. We are sincerely thankful to all our hosts and partners for their generosity and openness, and to our Fellows for their continued commitment to building a better future for all in Northern Ireland.
