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The 100-Year-Old Backstop

Three very different men are tasked with solving Northern Ireland鈥檚 border problem once and for all, but how long can that really take?

Following the formation of Northern Ireland in 1921, the Boundary Commission was created to decide on the precise delineation of the border between the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. The governments of the United Kingdom, the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland were allowed to nominate one member each to the commission. Eventually Justice Richard Feetham of South Africa was appointed by the British Government as Chairman, Eoin MacNeill, Minister for Education, was appointed by the Irish Free State Government and Joseph R. Fisher, a Unionist newspaper editor, author and barrister was appointed by the British government to represent the Northern Ireland government. These three men embarked on a tour along the border, meeting with concerned locals across the province, before facing the seemingly impossible task of redrawing the contentious border which stretched over 300 miles, cutting through communities, roads and even homes.

The Writers

Michael Patrick & Ois铆n Kearney wrote the play 鈥楳y Left Nut鈥� which they also adapted as a 麻豆社 Three series in 2020. Their recent play 鈥楾he Alternative鈥� was the winner of Fishamble鈥檚 A Play for Ireland initiative. They were also part of 麻豆社 Writersroom鈥檚 鈥楤elfast Voices鈥� 2019 development scheme.

Richard Feetham 鈥�.. Paul Kennedy
Joseph R Fisher 鈥�.. Martin Maguire
Eoin MacNeill 鈥�.. Patrick FitzSymons
Theresa 鈥�.. Abigail McGibbon
Trimble 鈥�.. Dan Gordon
O鈥橬eill 鈥�.. Francis Mezza
Baldwin 鈥�.. Richard Croxford
Healy 鈥�.. Seamus O鈥橦ara
Reporter 鈥�.. Michael Patrick
Writers ..... Michael Patrick & Ois铆n Kearney
Producer ..... Michael Shannon

A 麻豆社 Northern Ireland production.

28 minutes

Last on

Fri 3 Oct 2025 14:15

Broadcasts

  • Fri 30 Apr 2021 14:15
  • Fri 3 Oct 2025 14:15

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