Welcome to the homepage of Dr Ivan Gibbons
Dr Ivan Gibbons is a lecturer in Modern Irish and British history specialising in the relationship between the British Labour Party and Ireland. He was lecturer and MA and BA Programme Director in Irish Studies at St Marys University, Twickenham and formerly an adult education organiser for the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) and Kensington and Chelsea College.
He was educated at Queen’s University, Belfast and Birkbeck College, University of London where he was awarded his PhD for his thesis “The British Labour Party and the Establishment of the Irish Free State”.
He has taught and organised Irish Studies undergraduate, postgraduate and adult education courses throughout London and has lectured on modern Irish history throughout Britain. He was awarded the Irish Post Community Award for services to the Irish community in Britain and has written extensively on Irish history and politics. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith where he currently organises an annual public lecture series on Irish history.
LATEST PUBLICATION – SPRINGER NATURE [Palgrave Macmillan]
The Irish Boundary Commission, 1925:
Redrawing the Border
By Ivan Gibbons
Publication details:
11 February 2026
Springer Nature [Palgrave Macmillan]£39.99
History, Politics, Ireland
Hardback | 225 pages
ISBN 978-3032115416
This book examines the previously hidden and unpublished submissions made to the Irish Boundary Commission in 1924-25, offering a rare glimpse into a pivotal moment in Irish and British history.
Based on meticulous research conducted at the National Archives in London, it examines the original submissions from 585 witnesses and 58 groups and public bodies during public hearings in Enniskillen, Armagh, Omagh, Derry, and Rostrevor.
The Boundary Commission, established under Article 12 of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, faced numerous challenges, including civil unrest, political upheaval, and legal uncertainties, which delayed its work.
The book explores key concepts such as the political dynamics of the time, the obstructionist policies of the Northern Ireland Government, and the impact of the Commission’s recommendations. It also addresses critical questions about the legitimacy and consequences of the Commission’s decisions, which were ultimately rejected by all parties involved in the Tripartite Agreement of December 1925.
2025 marks the finalisation of the geographical and political boundaries of the British and Irish states, a milestone often overshadowed by other historical events.
An essential read for scholars, historians, and anyone interested in the intricate political landscape of early twentieth-century Ireland and Britain, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the Boundary Commission’s work and its lasting impact on both nations.
IVAN GIBBONS is a lecturer in Modern Irish and British history specialising in the relationship between the British Labour Party and Ireland. He was lecturer and MA and BA Programme Director in Irish Studies at St Mary’s University.
Publications
Springer Nature [Palgrave Macmillan] 2026
Haus Publishing 2020
Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre and Guildhall Press 2011
Palgrave Macmillan 2015
Manchester University Press 2016
Haus Publishing 2018