Thousands—perhaps hundreds of thousands, according to some estimates—took to the streets of Dublin Saturday to protest Ireland's mass migration policies, which have profoundly affected the country.
One of the country’s most famous figures, an outspoken opponent of his native country’s immigration policies, started things off with a video posted before the march:
UFC champion Conor McGregor – who is considering a potential presidential bid in his native Ireland – posted a video message beforehand from Dublin's Garden of Remembrance, where the march began hours later.
"Hello everyone in Ireland. April 26th, 2025 - A big day here for our country. A historic month for Ireland since 1916," McGregor said, referring to the recent anniversary of the year of the Easter Rising against British rule.
"Over 100 years ago, our brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live free today. So let us remind ourselves why we are here. And also why we are not here," McGregor said. "We are not here to build hatred amongst each other. We are not here to sow division. We are here to commemorate the valiant heroes who went before us. We honor their spirit, we honor their fight."
Related: Conor McGregor Goes Off About Illegal Immigration During White House Presser
McGregor continued:
McGregor said the protest would be intended "to shine our light on the failure of Ireland's government and our full disapproval of it."
"Be respectful, be proud, be united," McGregor said. "Because together, we will be heard, and as one, we will be victorious in our mission. To those leading their march and speaking for the tens of thousands standing behind you: be calm, be clear."
"Speak with dignity - we want to hear your voice. Together we rise, together we win," he added. "God bless us all. God bless Ireland."
A sign saying “Ireland is full” seemed to sum up the mood of the crowd:
The large-scale demonstration kicked off on Saturday afternoon in the garden, as crowds carrying tri-color flags headed down O'Connell Street.
Some protesters carried placards reading "Irish Lives Matter" and "Ireland is Full," and many wore green hats with the message "Make Ireland Great Again."
Irish police, known as gardaí, showed a heightened presence in the capital, maintaining a cordoned-off line between the marchers and a smaller group of counter-protesters who gathered in front of the General Post Office (GPO).
"Over 106,000 Irish men, women and children attended yesterday’s rally," McGregor wrote on X on Sunday, sharing aerial photos of protesters waving tri-color flags. "Not one social order incident to report. Tremendous! Onward for Ireland!"
The protesters have made their voices heard. The question remains: will their leaders listen?