Taoiseach Micheál Martin has pushed back against the rhetoric expressed at a large anti-immigration protest in Dublin over the weekend, rejecting what he described as "negativity" and a vision of Ireland rooted in "narrow nationalism."
Thousands took part in the rally in the city centre on Saturday which began at 2 pm at the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square.
A significant Garda presence was deployed to manage the protest and a counter-demonstration, including public order units, mounted officers, and an aerial support unit.
While no major incidents were reported, three people were arrested for public order offences.
Chants of "Ireland for the Irish" and "Get them out" were shouted, with some protestors holding signs reading "Coolock Says No," "Irish Lives Matter," and "Ireland is Full."
April 26, 2025: An 'Irish Lives Matter' sign at the protest in Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)
Another poster saw Conor McGregor, who was vocal in his support for the march, in between US President Donald Trump and President of Russia Vladimir Putin.
April 26, 2025: a marcher with poster with Putin, McGregor and Trump. (RollingNews.ie)
Ahead of the protest, the Dubliner took to social media and branded the rally a "big day here for our country."
He said: "Over 100 years ago, our brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live free today. So let us remind ourselves why we are here — and also why we are not here.
"We are not here to build hatred amongst each other. We are not here to sow division. We are here to commemorate the valiant heroes who went before us. We honour their spirit, we honour their fight."
"To those leading the march and speaking for the tens of thousands standing behind you: be calm, be clear, speak with dignity."
The demonstration was also convened to mark the 1916 Easter Rising – 109 years after the armed rebellion against British rule in Ireland.
April 26, 2025: A marcher wearing a Citizen Army uniform at the protest in Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)
Speaking on Sunday at Fianna Fáil’s annual 1916 commemoration at Arbour Hill Cemetery, Mr. Martin addressed the protest and its appropriation of Easter Rising symbolism.
"The message of the 1916 Proclamation is inclusive and internationalist. It was never grounded in narrow nationalism," he said.
"That’s the vision Fianna Fáil continues to uphold—open, outward-looking, and rooted in our place within modern Europe."
“There was something incredibly unique in our 1916 generation – they saw nationalism as a way to bring groups together. They rejected the idea of nationalism as a way of asserting the superiority of one tradition.”
An Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD at our annual 1916 Commemoration. pic.twitter.com/DmjcUUb16k
— Fianna Fáil (@fiannafailparty) April 27, 2025
He emphasised that Ireland’s EU membership since the 1970s has been transformational, warning against those promoting policies he believes would harm the country’s future.
"I would be very cautious about those who advocate – like some did yesterday – for a version of Ireland that would take us backwards," he added.
Asked whether the size of the protest concerned him, the Taoiseach pointed to the importance of the democratic process.
"We’ve had a general election and local elections. The ballot box determines how society is governed. It must be based on policies and ideas – we believe ours are stronger than those put forward [on Saturday]."
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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