Far from the bloodstained battlegrounds of Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and not quite so far from the contentious runways of Shannon Airport, a new society is set up in the University of Galway.
Student activism has been around since day dot. From Cohn-Bendit and the student uprisings of 1968, to the Estonian Student Association and their flag inspiring that of the nation after their independence in 1991, the student voice has historically called for freedom, social justice and human rights.
And the same continues today, with countless student societies across Ireland and the world standing in opposition to injustice and war crimes – take any university’s branch of BDS or Palestinian solidarity, of which our own in the University of Galway does a fantastic job. And so to myself, and the brain-wracking that took place when I tried to come up with something to make a mark and contribute to the good fight in any way possible.
A college essay on Ireland’s wartime neutrality – or lack thereof – opened my eyes to the complex question of allegiance and neutrality. And that’s where it came from at the start of the 2025/26 academic year – the Irish Neutrality Society, a society dedicated to the preservation of Ireland’s precious neutral status: celebrating the neutrality we have and campaigning for that that we don’t. It’s more than an excuse to meet for a quasi-political current affairs discussion and go to the pub together. It’s a demonstration of pride in Ireland as a neutral, non-belligerent nation, standing in support human rights and peace worldwide.
And that doesn’t mean all members have to think the same way. Part of the beauty of the society is the wide circle that ‘neutrality’ encompasses, and discussions are welcome. Perhaps a member could learn something from mine or someone else’s view, or perhaps I could learn a thing or two from someone else’s outlook. Neutrality is not a hard and fast political stance – it’s the basis of peace and comradery with our neighbours, whatever form it takes.
Irish neutrality first emerged as a stance with the founding of the Irish Neutrality League with the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Under the tagline ‘we serve neither King nor Kaiser’, the movement sought to keep Ireland out of the war and the conscription plans proposed by the British government. Under de Valera, neutrality was declared for World War II, where Ireland, despite helping the Allies geographically, stayed militarily out of the conflict.
Neutrality was reinforced with the Nice and Lisbon Treaties of the 2000s, which seen the introduction of the Triple Lock legislation. With the EU and NATO increasingly arming and the pressure building on neutrals now, and the world ever-changing as evidenced by Russia’s war in Ukraine and Israel’s genocide in Gaza, it has never been more necessary to promote peace and oppose war and suffering. Hence the founding of the Irish Neutrality Society of the University of Galway.
I’ve been absolutely delighted to get the society off the ground this year. As a concept that a lot of people perhaps aren’t the most familiar with, it is refreshing to see the level of engagement and passion behind the movement. Our events have included ratifying our society constitution, electing our committee and attending a demonstration and meeting in Galway regarding the Triple Lock legislation that protects Ireland’s neutrality.
The highlight of our first semester in operation was undoubtedly the hosting of the ‘Neutrality Roadshow’ on 25 November, where we welcomed a large crowd of people to a highly informative discussion regarding Ireland’s neutral stance in an increasingly changing world. An exciting programme of events is in the works for semester two, including film screenings, (potential) press releases, day outings and more!
Irish Neutrality Society member and Tonn na Clé founder Michelle Ní-Chléirigh says of the society:
“This year the Irish Neutrality Society has shown that neutrality isn’t just a slogan, it’s work, learning, conversation and community action. Through the ‘Neutrality Roadshow Galway’, we brought information, education and open discussion on the Triple Lock directly into communities, helping people understand why neutrality matters in real lives, not just policy papers.”
So why choose the Irish Neutrality Society? Well, whether you’re passionate about social or political issues, looking for a friendly introduction to politics, or just a keen history fan, then it might be for you! At the end of the day our function is to meet new people and make new friends through like-minded ethos and friendly debate. If you care deeply about peace in the world and upholding the values of humanity, or just looking for a laugh, then you’ll fit right in.
You can contact the Irish Neutrality Society by emailing us at irishneutrality@socs.universityofgalway.ie or DM us on Instagram at @ug.neutrality
Sonny McGreevy is SIN’s co-Sports Editor for 2025/2026. He is a third-year student of Creative Writing and a keen but mediocre golfer. It is his second-year writing for SIN. When he’s not slicing a golf ball into the nearest pond or peering over a fence at a local GAA pitch, he’s debating Irish foreign policy or ardently discussing the price of turf with a pint in hand in a sleepy pub in his native Roscommon.