Tullamore students to feature on BBC podcast about potential of a United Ireland

Tullamore college students recently took part in a BBC podcast discussion which is set to be aired next month.

Senior cycle history students from Tullamore College were invited to share their thoughts for a BBC News Northern Ireland and BBC Sounds podcast titled "Borderland - UK or United Ireland."

Set to be released on Wednesday, October 29, the podcast will ask key questions about the shape and timing of any potential referendum on Irish unity and what all of this could mean for politics and society – both locally and across these islands.

Two former MPs, Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew, interviewed the group of Tullamore College students in the school library to gather their views on the prospect of a united Ireland.

Ian Paisley is a former DUP MP for North Antrim. Politics was the background to his childhood and the focus of his working career until he lost his Westminster seat in 2024. Ian’s political outlook is unionist and he will argue that Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom.

Michelle Gildernew is a former Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. She grew up in a political household and has been actively involved in politics for over 30 years. Michelle’s political outlook is republican and she will argue for Northern Ireland becoming part of the Republic of Ireland.

"The BBC crew was very impressed with the articulate and well thought out points made by the students," Tullamore College shared in a post to social media.

"It was a truly informative debate and our students did us proud."