Racism in Ireland - Abuse is an affront to our history

There has always been racism and discrimination in Ireland, but it has generally been marginalised. The most vocal practitioners are not representative of most Irish people.

Throughout the early decades, following the foundation of the state, this country was in the relatively stable position of having little or no racial problems, other than sporadic indigenous problems in relation to the Travelling community.

During the past decade and a half this country experienced its first taste of immigration as people were attracted by the Celtic Tiger economy. There are about 400,000 foreigners living in Ireland today, which represents about 10% of the country’s population. Many are now the parents of Irish citizens.