Irish Examiner View: ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ under scrutiny this St Patrick’s Day

A reflexive fearfulness about newcomers is clear in Ireland, an insular negativity based on thinly disguised racism.

Gardaí watch protestors marching to Dublin Port Tunnel in order to block traffic in their continuing protests over an asylum-seeker accommodation centre in East Wall. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Today is the feast day of Ireland’s national saint, and a day traditionally associated with green clothing, parades, and energetic celebration — to use a kindly euphemism.

In that regard, it is hardly an accident that the off-licences in parts of Dublin are staying closed today until 4pm, for instance.