Fine Gael have always been thought of as the “West Brit” party but the Taoiseach’s latest remarks about welcoming the Orange Order to march in the streets of Dublin again has raised many eyebrows.
Varadkar is the first leader of the Republic to openly express his “happiness” at the idea of the order marching in the streets of the nation’s capital. The protestant only society was founded in 1795 to help maintain the divide between Catholics and protestants in light of the success of the United Irishmen.
Now although the Taoiseach’s fondness for certain parades is well documented, it is unclear way this kind of overtly religious and political type of parade venerating the protestant ascendancy and Ireland’s subjugation to the English crown would be such a turn on for him.
However, following his comments many online vented their frustration saying that the Taoiseach seems keen to “celebrate anything that is not about indigenous Irish heritage or culture”.
The last time the Orange Order attempted to hold a parade in Dublin was in 2006.
The so-called “Love Ulster” parade organised by the late loyalist activist Wille Frazer and provoked serious riots and public disorder with major property damage and several injuries.
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