Opinion: There are striking similarities between 20th century Irish right-wing groups and modern anti-immigration protesters
In recent months, in particular since last year's Dublin riots, Ireland has seen a number of anti-immigration protests. There has been riots in Coolock, public disorder in Newtownmountkennedy and, most recently, protestors blocked traffic on Dublin's O'Connell Bridge in September before the Garda Public Order Unit moved them on.
The RTÉ Investigates documentary Inside the Protests gave us a closer look at this growing movement. Viewers witnessed the racial abuse and intimidation of workers on the Coolock site, and the throwing of petrol bombs. It has left many wondering: how did we get to this point?
While it may seem like a recent phenomenon, this is not the first time groups have reacted to perceived threats to their perceptions of Irishness and Irish interests. Historical groups like the Blueshirts and Ailtirí na hAiséirghe (Architects of the Resurrection) were also driven by fears of cultural erosion, social disorder and opposition to communism. Though focused on immigration, today's protest movements echo those same supposed anxieties about protecting Irish identity and maintaining social cohesion.
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From RTÉ Investigates, cameras capture moment Coolock site attacked
Officially known as the Army Comrades Association, the Blueshirts were formed in February 1932. This was in response to the election of Fianna Fáil in the same year and what they saw as a growing threat from the left, primarily from communism. Eoin O’Duffy’s group presented themselves as ‘defenders of the state’, marked by a desire to maintain an Ireland free from what they saw as alien or foreign ideology and influences. They accused the radical left of being anti-nationalist, claiming their loyalty was not to Ireland but to Moscow.
Ailtirí na hAiséirghe took these ideas to a more extreme level. Founded in 1942 by Gearóid Ó Cuinneagáin, they envisioned a totalitarian, culturally 'pure' Irish state, free from any foreign influence. Ailtirí na hAiséirghe’s fear of cultural dilution is reflected by modern right-wing groups in 2024.
Like those earlier groups, today's anti-immigration rioters and protesters believe that multiculturalism and immigration are the greatest threat to Ireland and the Irish people. The common thread seems to be that Irish identity is under attack, with many espousing the view that 'indigenous' Irish are being racially discriminated against, claiming that migrants receive preferential treatment for housing and health, and that they are responsible for an increase in crime. There are no facts to back these claims up.
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From RTÉ Radio 1, Prof Diarmuid Ferriter profiles Eoin O'Duffy and the Blueshirts
The use of terms like "plantation" to describe modern immigration evokes historical grievances, framing the arrival of immigrants as a new form of colonisation. Just as the Blueshirts and Ailtirí na hAiséirghe sought to protect a particular vision of Ireland, today’s protesters are reacting to what they see as an erosion of their way of life. They frame their cause as protecting Ireland from being overwhelmed by outsiders, similar to how the Blueshirts framed their struggle as a defence of the state against foreign ideologies.
Several factors are contributing to the resurgence of right-wing sentiment in Ireland. The housing crisis has exacerbated feelings of insecurity and competition for resources, making the arrival of refugees and immigrants an easy scapegoat. Economic inequality and a lack of trust in the government’s ability to manage these issues have also played a role. The rhetoric of groups like the Blueshirts and Ailtirí na hAiséirghe thrived in times of social and economic instability, and today’s right-wing movements are no different.
READ: Does Ireland have more refugees and migrants than other European countries?
The impact of social media cannot be overlooked either. The rapid spread of misinformation and sensationalist narratives has amplified fears and allowed these groups to reach a wider audience. Platforms that thrive on controversy have become breeding grounds for conspiracy theories and hate speech, much like the pamphlets and speeches of the 1930s that spread fear of communism and foreign influence.
While the specific perceived enemies have changed - from communists and British influence, to immigrants and multiculturalism - the underlying anxieties driving Ireland’s right-wing movements have remained remarkably consistent.
Both the Blueshirts and Ailtirí na hAiséirghe were products of their time, responding to the social and political crises of their day. Issues like the housing crisis and immigration similarly shape today’s movements. However, the core message remains the same: a call to defend a particular vision of Irish identity against the ‘threat’ of ‘outsiders’.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
