There was a tense atmosphere on Saturday afternoon as anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters faced each other in Dublin.

A counter-demonstration was organised by United Against Racism Ireland (UAR) at the GPO on O'Connell Street, in response to an anti-immigration protest taking place a short distance away at the Garden of Remembrance the city centre.

The UAR demonstration gathered at least 2,000 people, and is reported to have had the support of more than 50 organisations and political parties, including Sinn Féin, Social Democrats, People Before Profit, Socialist Party, Unite, and the Dublin Council of Trade Unions.

United Against Racism Protest at The GPO on April 26th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Participants brought drums and chanted slogans such as: “Migrants rights, human rights! Same struggle, same fight!” “Say it loud, say it clear! Refugees are welcome here!” and “Shame the government, not the migrants!” among others.

At around 2:10pm, the far-right protesters reached the GPO. Both sides booed each other, with counter-demonstrators screaming “Shame on you!” repeatedly.

There was a significant Garda presence separating the two groups. Vans, the Mounted Support Unit and standing officers all held the crowd, while the Garda Air Support Unit surveilled the scene from above.

The far-right protest gathered more than 5,000 people, many of whom donned green clothing and held a myriad of Irish flags and signs reading “Import the third world, become the third world,” and “the quisling: silencing the old, importing the new.”

Anti-immigration Protest in Dublin on April 26th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Ahead of the protest, Conor McGregor posted a video on Instagram calling the occasion "a big day for our country" and "a historic month for Ireland since 1916."

"We are not here to build hatred amongst each other," he said. "We are not here to sow division. We are here to commemorate the valiant heroes that went before us."

Back at the counter-demonstration, meanwhile, representatives from several organisations gave speeches.

“It’s important that we have gatherings like these," said People Before Profit Councillor Darragh Adelaide, "because when the far right marches through our streets saying racial slurs and intimidating people, we need to be here to say ‘You’re not going to be able to do that. We’re not going to stand for intimidation.'"

“When you’re divided you pay, and when you’re united you bargain,” he added.

Darragh Adelaide. United Against Racism Protest at The GPO on April 26th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Speaking for the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), Ken Powell advocated for “an Ireland on the right side of history” which “delivers justice and equality for migrants, assylum seakers, people of colour, and for everyone.” 

Powell also gave a shoutout to KNEECAP, following their recent display of pro-Palestine and anti-genocide messages in their Coachella set.

"I do not want to let the opportunity go without paying tribute to the legends, the hip hop bombshells from Belfast city, Ireland, Kneecap. We salute you Kneecap,” he said.

United Against Racism Protest at The GPO on April 26th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com