It is 2032 and a bustling Galway city is powered by 26 hydroelectric water wheels churned by the Corrib’s torrents.
The people have spoken on both sides of the Border, and Ireland is a brand new 32-county country.
A bridge over the river at Menlo, named after the rare snail population sacrificed in its construction, links the regional capital’s two sides, while trains connect Clifden and Tuam to the Square Formerly Known As Eyre, and the high-sped Sneachtapiercer gets Galwegians to the nation’s parliamentary capital in Athlone in just 15 minutes.
Connemartians from Spiddal ride in on a cycle track alongside the Coast Road to attend a Macnas Parade welcoming the King of Ireland’s visit to officially open the N6 orbital tunnel, bored from Ballybrit to Barna Golf Club, followed by a reception where salmon and escargot are served.
Tayto-munching former Ulster unionists holidaying in Connacht salute their nation’s new flag, and hum along to the Royal Irish Civic Garda band practising Oh Hibernia before the monarch arrives from Dublin, delighted that the temporary Ulster Social Charge (USC ), paid by all for a decade, funded Irish unity and a ban on Dragons Den cast members running for high office.
This is the not-always-tongue-in-cheek prediction of Galway’s own Paddy Cullivan, the musician and historical entertainer, whose latest show I Can’t Believe It’s Not Ireland combines AI imagery with Cullivan’s prognosis for a new version of Ireland, possibly closer than ever in the wake of Brexit.
Cullivan’s vision for a United Ireland, hopefully welcomed in both east and west Belfast, Dublin, Galway and even Cork, stems from conversations with unionists and nationalists following Island-wide tours of his successful shows The Murder of Wolfe Tone and The Murder of Michael Collins.
Using song, film, historical research and comedy, Cullivan brings I Can’t Believe It’s Not Ireland to Galway’s Town Hall Theatre on Wednesday, October 9.
Tickets €18/20 from www.tht.ie
