Neutrality has, supposedly, long been a pillar of the Irish national identity. But examining the concept reveals it to be a vague, flimsy and elastic notion that, throughout history, various governments have been happy to stretch or, in some cases, abandon entirely. Today, warfare has expanded to include cyberattacks, environmental concerns, election interference and disinformation. If our traditional idea of warfare is changing, should our idea of neutrality change, too?

In this timely and thought-provoking examination of a core tenet of Irish society, Conor Gallagher explores the practical and ethical implications of choosing a side. He asks, in the face of aggression, is it right to sit back and do nothing? And is it even possible to be neutral in such an interconnected world?

About the Author

Conor Gallagher is Crime Correspondent at the Irish Times, where he also writes on defence and security. He won the Broadsheet Features Writer Award in 2019 and the overall Justice Media Award in 2020. He lives in Cabra, Dublin. This is his first book.

Book Information
ISBN 9780717195992
Author Conor Gallagher
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Gill Books
Publisher Gill
Weight(grams) 442g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 153mm * 25mm