Ailtirí na hAiséirghe and the Blueshirts were two of the most prominent radical right groups in Irish history, but there is a plethora of micro-groups in Ireland today described as ‘far-right’
The long history of fascism and the far-right in Ireland
Ireland has always prided itself in avoiding the scourge of xenophobia and antisemitism.
But in fact, Ireland has long flirted with fascism and the far-right – and has had political movements with profoundly antisemitic views.
From the British fascisti, to the Blueshirts and Ailtirí na hÁiséirghe (Architects of the Revolution), to the openly national socialist activists of today, Ireland has in fact always had a ‘radical right’.
Historian Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc has investigated the history of fascism in Ireland, its relationship with violence, and its electoral successes and failures.
He has written a new book, ‘Burn Them Out – A History of Fascism and The Far-Right in Ireland’
He joined Ciarán Dunbar.
