Alison O'Connor: Challenges of a shared island will take us far beyond our comfort zones

A public opinion poll has set us a challenge: If we want a united Ireland, how do we think we will get there, and what will do to achieve it? 

Patrick Kielty joined former president Mary McAleese for a stroll in Co Down in an episode of her TV series, 'All Walks of Life' earlier this year. Mr Kielty gave a speech at the Shared Ireland forum which brilliantly contextualises the realities of life in the North. Picture: RTÉ  

I can still remember climbing on board the school bus to the sound of songs blasting out from the tape deck.

They were, I realised much later, what we’d traditionally call “rebel songs”. But at the time a bunch of primary school kids singing along to a bunch of rousing tunes was as good a start to the day as any. What I remember most was the chorus for the tuneful ‘A Nation once again’.