In some areas, this activity has led to tit-for-tat battles with far-right activists. In Clondalkin last month, a Tricolour was removed from a lamp-post and replaced with a Pride flag. This was then removed and replaced with a new Tricolour, according to videos shared on social media.<\/p>\n
![\"Flags](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/OYFAR5XBPVBIJI5IML44ITECQY.jpg\")
Flags intended to represent inclusivity flying in Dublin. Photograph: Dublin Community Standing Together <\/p>\n
Irish flags began appearing on lamp-posts in large numbers in Dublin around mid-August, with the trend soon spreading around the country. <\/p>\n
Several Irish far-right groups and individuals claim to have started it. It appears to be modelled on the Raise The Colours campaign, spearheaded by British far-right activist Tommy Robinson<\/a> (whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) in which the union flag and St George\u2019s Cross flags were erected on lamp-posts throughout England.<\/p>\n Both the Irish and UK campaigns claim the flags represent patriotism and pride. Opponents say the erection of the Tricolour on lamp-posts disrespects the flag and is designed to send a message to immigrants that they are not welcome.<\/p>\n In some ways this is nothing new. Despite its inclusive symbolism, groups have fought over the Tricolour\u2019s meaning since the foundation of the State.<\/p>\n \u201cTake it down from the mast, Irish traitors \/ \u2018Tis the flag we republicans claim,\u201d goes an anti-treaty song written in 1923. \u201cIt can never be owned by Free Staters<\/a> \/ Who shed nothing upon it but shame.\u201d<\/p>\n During the Troubles, the use of the flag by the IRA drew frequent criticism from officials in Dublin. At the same time, there was sometimes a reluctance to fly the flag in the South, lest it be mistaken for support for the Provisionals.<\/p>\n Today, the division over the flag is centred on immigration, not partition.<\/p>\n Authorities, including Dublin City Council<\/a> (DCC), have been unsure how to act. Removing the flags would hand the far right a propaganda victory and may also endanger council workers. Leaving them up would be ignoring a blatant breach of planning laws. Official permission is needed to erect anything on a public lamp-post.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t just erect a flag on every lamp-post or pole,\u201d Minister of Justice Jim O\u2019Callaghan<\/a> said in September, while conceding a need \u201cto be sensitive about how we deal with it\u201d.<\/p>\n Officials in DCC recently met senior garda\u00ed to discuss what approach it should take. It has decided that removal of the flags at this time \u201cwould be counterproductive\u201d, a spokeswoman told The Irish Times this week.<\/p>\n Instead, the council intends to take a \u201cpositive and proactive approach\u201d that will celebrate the \u201ccollective sense of belonging to this city\u201d.<\/p>\n It will work with local communities to \u201cpromote a deeper understanding of the Irish flag \u2013 its history, its meaning and its enduring message of inclusion, equality and respect\u201d.<\/p>\n However, flags that pose a safety risk will be removed during the normal course of council operations.<\/p>\n [\u00a0Kathy Sheridan: I find myself in agreement with the architect of Brexit about the flags on Dublin\u2019s streetsOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n \u201cDublin is a city for everyone \u2013 a city where community, respect and belonging remain at the heart of all we do,\u201d the spokeswoman said.<\/p>\n The lack of action by authorities is the main motivating factor for antiracism activists removing the flags. <\/p>\n \u201cWe want the council to do it instead of us risking our necks,\u201d said one campaigner involved in the removal of flags in south Dublin.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re sending a message to the far right that their views are normal and fine. And they\u2019re sending a message to immigrants that they are not welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n Another activist, who asked to go by the initials JB due to safety concerns, has formed an ad-hoc group called Dublin Community Standing Together. <\/p>\n [\u00a0Se\u00e1n Moncrieff: Could this Republic of Ireland team reclaim the Tricolour?Opens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n The group does not remove Tricolours, he said. It complements them with other flags, such as Brazilian, Indian and Ukrainian ones, designed to make immigrants feel welcome.<\/p>\n The goal is to \u201cneutralise\u201d the anti-immigrant message and \u201clink the Tricolour with its traditional meaning of inclusion and tolerance\u201d, JB said.<\/p>\n These flags are often removed after a few days but during that time images of them are widely shared on social media, he said. <\/p>\n \u201cThat perhaps offers some relief for those who need it most,\u201d said JB.<\/p>\n [\u00a0\u2018I will not be intimidated by our Tricolour\u2019: The women pushing back against the far rightOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n JB says most Tricolours in south Dublin are being hung by a small number of organised groups rather than coming organically from local communities. In particular, he cites far-right activist Paul Nolan<\/a>, who has posted multiple videos of Tricolours being erected around Dublin.<\/p>\n Earlier this month Nolan, who has 47 convictions, including for public order and drug offences, posted a video of a Pride flag being taken down from a post in Longford and set alight. \u201cRIP these paedophile flags down and dispose of them whatever way possible,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n