Colin Sheridan: Weaponised ignorance is designed to capitalise on societal discontent

The hundreds of supporters who attended a far-right march in Dublin last Monday did so under the literal flag of this country. The kindest version of what they were protesting is that Ireland — their Ireland — is full, and should not be welcoming foreigners, especially those who come here seeking asylum. Picture: Collins

“I love living in Ireland, I have loved living in Britain, but when I have visited Belgium or Thailand or Slovenia or the United States, I have thought it would be nice to live there, too. Perhaps it’s just a symptom of my rootlessness, but I don’t understand flag-waving and exceptionalism and ‘national pride’ because, of all things to be proud of, the place where you happen to be born seems the most random thing to choose.”

Extract from Elizabeth Boyle, Fierce Appetites