Sinn Féin has accused Fianna Fáil of pushing the Government to commemorate the birth of England's first Norman king, William the Conqueror.
It follows Cabinet approval today to participate in a European cultural initiative called '2027 The Year of the Normans'.
The proposal was brought to the Government by Minister for Housing James Browne who said the initiative would benefit tourism and economic growth while increasing public engagement with Ireland's Norman heritage.
"Our Norman history is shared across this island, north and south, and with the UK and wider Europe, from Scandinavia to Sicily.
"From their arrival in Wexford in the late 12th century, the Normans left their mark in monumental ways across our urban and rural landscapes, building towns and castles, abbeys and cathedrals that stand to this day," Mr Browne said.
However, Sinn Féin's spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, described the move as offensive.
"We Irish know well enough the legacy of William’s successors invading and subjugating Ireland in the name of his English crown, with Strongbow ushering in the 900 years of occupation, with the North still under the descendants of William the Conqueror's crown.
"The website of the Normandy region behind the millennium celebrations clearly states that 2027 was chosen as the year of 'Normans, People of Europe' to mark the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror.
"What will they think of next: A Festival of Cromwell? A Famine Queen Jubilee?" he said.
Sinn Féin missing the point - Browne
Tonight, Minister Browne said Sinn Féin was completely missing the point as to why the State is marking 2027 with commemorative events.
He said the initial invite by King of Leinster Diarmait Mac Murchada led eventually to a much wider territorial incursion into Ireland by the Anglo Normans, the resulting intermarriage and inter-alliance of Norman and Gaelic Irish families led to the well recognised claim that they would as a result 'become more Irish than the Irish themselves.
He said: "The ‘Year of the Normans' is about understanding Irish history and its complexity, as it rightly should be interrogated and engaged with.
"A significant number of this island’s well known surnames, such as Furlong, Butler, Burke, and Power are of Norman origin, as well as the origins of the seven proud tribes of Galway.
"The year of the Normans is being led by our neighbours in Normandy, France and it is an important and essential collaboration and commemoration - any distortion of this work is really disappointing and careless.
"So let’s ask, is Sinn Féin’s position that they will boycott all events related to the year of the Normans?"
