Conor McGregor voiced strong support for the recent Dublin march against Ireland’s mass migration policies, further fueling speculation about his potential presidential ambitions. The UFC champion shared a video message before the event, which drew thousands of participants to Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance on April 26, 2025.
McGregor’s presidential aspirations take shape amid Dublin demonstration
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor showcased his political ambitions by endorsing the massive gathering in Dublin that protested Ireland’s current immigration policies. In a videotaped address released hours before the march began, McGregor connected the demonstration to Ireland’s historical struggle for independence.
“A historic month for Ireland since 1916,” McGregor declared, referencing the Easter Rising anniversary. “Our brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live free today. We are here to commemorate the valiant heroes who went before us. We honor their spirit, we honor their fight.”
McGregor’s political interest became public after his St. Patrick’s Day meeting with President Donald Trump. Though he’s expressed presidential ambitions, the fighter has criticized Ireland’s nomination process as disadvantaging outsiders like himself.
The protest route began at the Garden of Remembrance and continued down O’Connell Street, with participants carrying Irish flags and displaying signs with messages including “Irish Lives Matter” and “Ireland is Full.” Many wore green hats emblazoned with “Make Ireland Great Again,” echoing Trump’s campaign slogan.
McGregor emphasized the demonstration’s peaceful nature in his follow-up social media post: “Over 106,000 Irish men, women and children attended yesterday’s rally. Not one social order incident to report. Tremendous! Onward for Ireland!”
Thousands gather as political divisions surface on Dublin streets
The April 26 demonstration highlighted growing tensions over Ireland’s immigration policies. Several Dublin City councillors addressed the gathering, including:
- Gavin Pepper
- Philip Sutcliffe
- Malachy Steenson
- Fingal councillor Patrick Quinlan
Councillor Pepper’s speech resonated strongly with the crowd when he declared, “The fact of the matter is we’re bringing in thousands of people and putting them up in hotels while our own people are being left to rot… Irish people come first in our own country.”
Irish police maintained a significant presence throughout the event, establishing barriers between marchers and a smaller counter-protest that assembled in front of the General Post Office. The counter-demonstration, organized by United Against Racism, received support from several opposition parties:
| Supporting Political Parties | Counter-Protest Messages |
|---|---|
| Sinn Féin | Dublin Stands Against Racism |
| Labor Party | Boycott Apartheid Israel |
| People Before Profit | Unity Over Division |
| Social Democrats | Refugees Welcome |
| Socialist Party | No to Hate Speech |
| Green Party | Diversity Strengthens Ireland |
Police reported minimal disruption despite the opposing demonstrations, with only three arrests for “public order offenses.” The relatively peaceful nature of the event, despite intense political differences, demonstrated the predominantly civil discourse surrounding these controversial issues.
Government response to the growing movement
Ireland’s Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheál Martin addressed the demonstration the following day, rejecting what he termed “negativity” from the speakers. “I don’t accept the negativity from those who spoke yesterday in respect of where modern Ireland is today,” Martin stated.
The Taoiseach, who also met with President Trump in March, acknowledged housing as “the big social issue of our day” but emphasized his administration’s focus on solutions rather than rhetoric. When questioned about the growing nationalist movement, Martin emphasized democratic processes: “The ballot box is the key metric, the key determinant of the organization of society.”
McGregor’s message emphasizes unity amid political polarization
Despite supporting the anti-immigration march, McGregor’s pre-event message stressed peaceful assembly and respectful discourse. “We are not here to build hatred amongst each other. We are not here to sow division,” he stated in his video address.
The fighter encouraged march participants and speakers to maintain composure, saying, “Be respectful, be proud, be united. 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.”
McGregor described the demonstration’s purpose as highlighting “the failure of Ireland’s government and our full disapproval of it,” while concluding his message with: “Speak with dignity – we want to hear your voice. Together we rise, together we win. God bless us all. God bless Ireland.”
This rhetoric of unity, combined with criticism of current policies, reflects McGregor’s emerging political positioning as he potentially prepares for a presidential run. By endorsing the demonstration while emphasizing peaceful protest, the fighter is carefully crafting his public persona beyond sports achievement.
As Ireland navigates these complex social and political tensions, McGregor’s entry into the political arena represents a significant development. Whether this translates into electoral success remains uncertain, but his influence on public discourse about immigration and national identity has already made a substantial impact.
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