On April 26, 2025, Dublin’s city center became the epicenter of a significant anti-immigration protest, drawing thousands to the streets. The demonstration, commencing at the Garden of Remembrance, was marked by participants carrying Irish tricolours and banners with slogans such as “Ireland is Full” and “Irish Lives Matter” . The march proceeded along O’Connell Street, culminating at Custom House Quay, and was met with a counter-demonstration organized by United Against Racism outside the General Post Office (GPO) .​

The Gardaí, Ireland’s national police service, maintained a substantial presence to ensure public order. Despite the large turnout and heightened tensions, only three individuals were arrested for public order offences, and no major incidents were reported . Public transport services, including the Luas tram system, experienced disruptions due to the demonstrations.

Notably, mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor appeared in a video filmed at the Garden of Remembrance prior to the protest. In the video, McGregor stated, “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. And we are here today to shine our light on the failure of Ireland … ” . While McGregor did not address the crowd during the protest, his presence and statements have drawn significant attention.​

The protest’s alignment with the commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising has sparked controversy. Taoiseach Micheál Martin criticized the invocation of the Rising’s legacy, stating, “The message of the 1916 proclamation is an inclusive, internationalist vision, not one that is narrow. It never had at its core a narrow nationalism. It was very internationalist. It was inclusive, it was open” . Martin emphasized the importance of embracing a modern, inclusive Ireland within the European context.

The anti-immigration protest reflects broader societal debates in Ireland concerning immigration policy, national identity, and the country’s future direction. As these discussions continue, the events in Dublin underscore the need for ongoing dialogue and engagement across diverse perspectives.​

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