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Ben Collins

@bjacollins

Author of the Irish Unity Dividend and Irish Unity: Time to Prepare. Both published by Luath Press. Fan of Ulster Rugby, Everton, Cincinnati Bengals and Ireland Rugby. Francophile.

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13.11.2024
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Latest posts by Ben Collins @bjacollins

Front cover of the book Fup with an old man and a duck drawn in black and white

Front cover of the book Fup with an old man and a duck drawn in black and white

Had heard good things about this book Fup some years ago but have finally read it thanks to the good folks at @mrbsemporium.bsky.social Book 10 of 2026 #reading #fiction #booksky

07.03.2026 11:31 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks for your support!

07.03.2026 10:13 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Cover of Mick Herron’s book London Rules.

Cover of Mick Herron’s book London Rules.

This Slough House book does not disappoint. Mick Herron delivers another very enjoyable read. Book 9 of 2026. #reading #fiction #booksky

04.03.2026 19:15 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

You’re stuck in the last movie you watched…(Answer with a GIF)

21.02.2026 12:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Hard to beat a good nap on the sofa!

20.02.2026 13:42 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Front cover of The Traveller’s Tale by Ray Bassett showing a photo of him talking to Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams on the morning of Good Friday 1998.

Front cover of The Traveller’s Tale by Ray Bassett showing a photo of him talking to Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams on the morning of Good Friday 1998.

Ray Bassett’s book provides a fascinating insight into his work for the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs on Northern Ireland, including his important work which helped to create the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. #nonfiction #reading #booksky

20.02.2026 13:08 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

I thought as much. Kudos to you for doing that.

19.02.2026 12:47 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Very impressive you getting to read this two months before publication!

19.02.2026 08:41 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Front cover of Mick Herron’s Slough House novella The Catch

Front cover of Mick Herron’s Slough House novella The Catch

Mick Herron’s book are so easy to read and enjoyable. Book 7 of 2026. #reading #fiction #booksky

18.02.2026 10:18 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I don’t remember seeing this on a side of a bus.

14.02.2026 08:29 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Cover of The Heart in Winter book by Kevin Barry depicting a couple on a horse travelling along a windy path.

Cover of The Heart in Winter book by Kevin Barry depicting a couple on a horse travelling along a windy path.

Heard Kevin Barry being interviewed on Always Take Notes podcast about this book. Thanks to @mrbsemporium.bsky.social got this as a surprise read and loved it. Book 6 of 2026. #fiction #reading #booksky

11.02.2026 08:25 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

They’re brilliant and not difficult to read

07.02.2026 13:54 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
The front cover of Mick Herron’s book of two novellas, The Drop and The List.

The front cover of Mick Herron’s book of two novellas, The Drop and The List.

Enjoyed these Slough House novellas. Book 5 of 2026. #fiction #reading #booksky

07.02.2026 10:03 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Cover of Standing by the Wall book by Mick Herron.

Cover of Standing by the Wall book by Mick Herron.

A short Slough House Interlude book but still good fun to read. Book 4 of 2026. #fiction #reading #booksky

04.02.2026 07:11 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Front cover of Mick Herron’s book Spook Street featuring a picture of the Shard

Front cover of Mick Herron’s book Spook Street featuring a picture of the Shard

Really enjoyed this fourth book in the Slow Horses series by Mick Herron. Book 3 of 2026. #fiction #reading #booksky

02.02.2026 21:06 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Reading books is a necessary tonic for these challenging times.

23.01.2026 07:10 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks Nicholas very useful information

23.01.2026 07:09 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

That’s a good use of commuting time. When I lived and worked in London, I got through books v quickly reading on the tube.

22.01.2026 17:22 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
a close up of a man 's face with his eyes closed Alt: a close up of a man 's face with his eyes closed

I thought I was doing really well being on my third book of 2026 and then scrolled down to see you on book 7. Joking aside kudos to you!

22.01.2026 16:32 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Europe has to stand up to Trump. Use the Anti-Coercion instrument. There's no other way

Weakness will only invite more

17.01.2026 16:47 πŸ‘ 154 πŸ” 43 πŸ’¬ 10 πŸ“Œ 6
Front cover of the book Juno Loves Legs by Karl Geary

Front cover of the book Juno Loves Legs by Karl Geary

Just finished this wonderful novel. Recommended by a friend, got emotionally invested in it. Book 2 of 2026. #reading #fiction #booksky

15.01.2026 22:29 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Photo shows the cover of novel Treapasses featuring the two actors who played the main characters Cushla and Michael in tv adaptation by Channel 4.

Photo shows the cover of novel Treapasses featuring the two actors who played the main characters Cushla and Michael in tv adaptation by Channel 4.

Just finished this extraordinary novel by @louisekennedy.bsky.social I don’t normally read books set in Belfast during the Troubles, as I lived through it. But the story and the writing are both exceptional. Book 1 of 2026. #books #reading #booksky

08.01.2026 23:36 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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On Let's Talk with Giles Brown, from 10.00CET - Dennis Glover with 'Repeat: A Warning from History', and Ben Collins (@bjacollins.bsky.social) discusses 'The Irish Unity Dividend'

04.12.2025 08:50 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

On the show today: @bjacollins.bsky.social on the unity dividend; @henrymckean.bsky.social on dumping season; Rich people & gold toilets; How Ireland deports; @toxicolly.bsky.social reviews The Death of Bunny Munro,
Mormon Wives & Stranger Things; @mmcavanagh.bsky.social on sailing cargo ships

24.11.2025 13:41 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
An Evening with Ben Collins: Reflections on Irish Unity & Identity Join author Ben Collins at the Museum of Free Derry for an evening exploring Irish unity, identity, political transformation, 6pm, 24 Nov.

Next Mon, 24 Nov @museumfreederry.bsky.social. Join author Ben Collins
@bjacollins.bsky.social drawing on The Irish Unity Dividend. He’ll explore questions of unity, identity, reconciliation – and what a shared future might look like. 6pm | Free entry. www.eventbrite.ie/e/an-evening...

17.11.2025 23:05 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Irish Unity Webinar Series: Ben Collins
Irish Unity Webinar Series: Ben Collins YouTube video by Friends of Sinn FΓ©in

Watch: Our latest Irish Unity Education Webinar with author Ben Collins. His new book "The Irish Unity Dividend" breaks down the advantages of Irish Unity sector by sector.

youtu.be/1ANRHhMRz2Q

@bjacollins.bsky.social

01.11.2025 20:14 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Join us at the @museumfreederry.bsky.social on 24 Nov, 6pm, for an evening with Ben Collins @bjacollins.bsky.social, author of The Irish Unity Dividend.

Ben will discuss his new book, exploring identity, reconciliation, & the island’s political future.

RSVP πŸ‘‰ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening...

29.10.2025 08:28 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Supporting for staying part of the U.K. down to 48% in this and support for Irish unity up to 41%. As you say change is more pronounced in younger age groups.

01.09.2025 12:30 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
NI voters still favour the Union over a united Ireland – but gap narrows to 7%, poll finds The gap between support for Irish unity and Northern Ireland staying in the UK has narrowed in the past year.

m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politic...

01.09.2025 12:29 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

@luathpress.bsky.social

23.08.2025 10:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0