We Can’t Let The Far Right Claim Our Tricolour
Words: Dray Morgan
There’s no denying that the scenes from Saturday’s anti-immigration protest were unsettling. Equally as striking is the choice of iconography by right-wing demonstrators when disseminating a fundamentally non-Irish sentiment. Tri-colours and harps were ever-present throughout the crowds, combined with chants of “Get Them Out” and other xenophobic slogans. Here are some reasons why the Irish Tricolour and other iconography doesn’t and will never align with anti-immigration and far-right rhetoric.
The History of The Tricolour
The Irish Tricolour came to fruition in 1848, when the leader of Young Irelanders, Thomas Francis Meagher, received the flag from a group of French women in Paris. The flag symbolised solidarity with the Irish cause against the British oppressors, as well as peace between Catholics and Protestants. The Tricolour did not become Ireland’s national flag until 68 years later in 1916. Until then, it served as an international sign of solidarity between Ireland and other nations, a progressive symbol which sought equality and resistance from discriminatory regimes.
This was also the era in which Ireland saw its greatest emigration in its history. The Great Hunger saw over 2.5 million people forced to leave their homes and emigrate across the world, spreading Irish iconography and culture globally. Ireland’s population decreased heavily from 6.55 million to 4.23 million, rendering those who left effective humanitarian refugees.
Imported Ideology
Anti-immigration has and never will be an ideology of the Irish. It is, of course, impossible to ignore the fact that Ireland has the largest diaspora per capita of any nation in the world. 80 million people outside of Ireland claim Irish ancestry. We are a nation of emigrants.
Furthermore, imported ideologies are filtered through social media into the Irish psyche. This was only exemplified by the MAGA sympathisers and even imagery of Vladimir Putin at Saturday’s demonstration. In May 2024, The Journal reported on more than 150 social media accounts that were claiming to be Irish, but were operated by non-Irish users. Accounts like these contribute heavily to a rising ethno-nationalistic and racist view. Irish social media users are unknowingly being influenced by foreign entities.
A Sinister Core
At the core of anti-immigration Ireland, is a truly sinister underbelly that operates through Telegram channel, with rhetoric led by unwavering racism and fringe ideologies. Figureheads such as head of the extremist far-right National Party, Justin Barrett (who was present at Saturday’s rally) spew admiration for Nazi ideology as well as pushing misinformation and conspiracy theories. From 2020 to 2023, mis and disinformation in Irish Telegram channels rose by 326%.
Take Off Those Celtic Jerseys
Celtic F.C. was created in 1888 for the purpose of creating a club for Irish immigrants and alleviating the poverty experienced by the Irish community in Scotland. A driving factor of Celtic’s ethos is acceptance, humanity and equality. Championed as a club for the oppressed and a haven for the othered, a Celtic jersey will never represent the racist and unwelcoming ideology of the far-right.
Do You Really Want To Be Like Them?
Looking at our British neighbours, the St. George’s flag has been ruined by years of bigotry, discrimination and hatred being flown under the banner of the image. Far-right groups on both sides of our seas have appropriated their national flags, giving it connotations of hate and fear.
We cannot let this happen to the tricolour, a symbol of hope, peace and a piece of Irish iconography for all to be proud of. We can’t let the far right claim our Tricolour.
“The Tricolour will be a right-wing symbol soon if it’s not front and centre at counters. Being allergic to your own flag is moronic and damages your legitimacy as a national movement. A sea of red and pink flags without the hard won symbols of Irish nationalism plays into the right-wing narrative that left is inherently anti-Irish. Fly the tricolour if you don’t want it to end up like the St George’s flag in England.”
Irish artist Spice Bag
