List of 24 hour anti-mass migration protest camps in Ireland

[scolairebocht]

This is a list of the 24 hour encampments created around Ireland as part of anti-mass migration protests across Ireland in recent years. It is only listing the 24/7 style camps, because these are very remarkable examples of community and individual persistence and commitment, moreso than any other type of protest, and anyway because it would probably take too long to list all protests on this subject around Ireland in recent months. Probably you could double this list if you were to include all sites that have generated persistent protests in recent months.

As far as this writer is aware, the ones still running are: Dundrum Co. Tipperary, now probably the biggest and best supported, Ballyogan, Coolock, I think can be included because there is still a presence there including a tent nearby, Ballina, even if the protestors are now in cars in the vicinity rather than the encampment but still a permanent presence, Naas, Clonmel and Thornton Hall.

1. Oughterard, Co. Galway, Connemara Gateway Hotel, 53.428405, -9.318942
On the 28th of September 2019 even RTE estimated that 2,000 people came out against an IPAS centre in Oughterard in Co. Galway, during which time there was an ongoing 24 hour vigil at the site. This is probably the first such 24 hour encampment anywhere in Ireland. (https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2019/0928/1078800-oughterard-direct-provision/ .) By the 1st of October 2019 it was reported that the hotel management had withdrawn from any contract to house asylum seekers, at which time it was reported that the 24 hour encampment had run for about a fortnight. (https://www.newstalk.com/news/oughterard-hotel-withdraws-direct-provision-process-protests-910044)

2. Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Columb Barracks, 53.526529, -7.352034
On 3rd February 2023, at little more than 48 hours notice, a very large protest was organised and led into the streets of Mullingar protesting against a proposed migrant centre being created out of the large and historic barracks in the town. This sparked a number of other protests and culminated a few weeks later in the creation of a 24 hour encampment beside the Barrack entrance. This is probably the first such encampment towards the east and centre of Ireland, bearing in mind that the Oughterard one would be very difficult for most people to get to. Here many travelled to it from all over Ireland and, it is thought, were inspired somewhat to set up their own. On the 24th of March 2023 a large bus of migrants pulled up to enter the barracks, but it was stopped alongwith a later van full of food supplies for them, by the occupants of the camp and others who arrived a short time later. For that day no migrants or supplies entered, but that night the Garda Public Order unit arrived, injured some people, destroyed the camp and over the succeeding nights established control over the Barracks entrance through which the migrants then entered. Only sporadic protests have occurred at the Barracks entrance since that date.

3. Inch, Co. Clare, Magowna Hotel, 52.828890, -9.068984
On the 23rd May 2023 it was reported that local people had closed both ends of the small road leading to this asylum centre, described as a 'blockade'.
(https://www.thejournal.ie/clare-protests-6070241-May2023/)

4. Fermoy, Co. Cork, Abbeyville House, Abercrombie Place, 52.141266, -8.275995
The protest encampment was said to have started on the 20th November 2023. This prominent and reasonably well publicised protest ended, unsuccessfully unfortunately, on the 23rd March 2024 (https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41276863.html and https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41360113.html.)

5. Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, J. J. Gannon's Hotel, 53.622859, -9.222922
On the 5th of January 2024 a 24 presence was created outside this hotel in Co. Mayo. Approximately a week later it was called off after one of the local 'leaders' announced they had 'won', because they received, or thought they had received, some concession from the government on the type of asylum seekers to be housed there. Nonetheless the migrants then proceeded to enter the hotel.
(https://extra.ie/2024/01/09/news/irish-news/ballinrobe-protests-u-turn)

6. Carlow, Co. Carlow, Friary that the Capuchins left in 2022, 43 Dublin St., 52.837788, -6.931390 and St Brigid's nursing home, 52.838631, -6.931394
On the 10th January 2024 protests began here but on the 12th January the Gardai escorted 14 migrants onto the site, although the 24hour protests were still continuing. On the 27th January the 24 hour camps at both locations were said to be on their third week, but as of mid July 2024, at any rate, they are no longer functioning.
(https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/...former-friary-despite-ongoing-demonstrations/ and https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland...n-over-housing-of-asylum-seekers-1580794.html)

7. Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, Josephine's Restaurant, 52.718256, -7.586778
On the 15th of January 2024 it was reported that protestors had left their encampment at this site, after a mysterious fire destroyed it (the encampment).
(https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/...igate-fire-in-urlingford-as-protest-ends.html)

8. Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, Racket Hall, 52.958874, -7.760472
The camp began in January 2024 and ended, unfortunately, in March 2024.
(https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41360236.html)

9. Arklow, Co. Wicklow, Eir building Emoclew Rd, 52.790545, -6.172577
On the 6th of February 2024 it was reported that residents were going to set up a 24 hour camp in protest at an asylum centre in the former Eir building, and other sites in the vicinity. This was later reported to be successful in stopping these centres.
(https://www.independent.ie/regional...gainst-ipas-centre-in-wicklow/a540296598.html and https://gript.ie/arklow-hundreds-vow-to-continue-protest-against-migrant-centre/ and withdrawn: https://gript.ie/plans-to-house-asylum-seekers-or-refugees-in-arklow-town-scrapped/.)

10. Naas, Co. Kildare, green field site at Flood's Cross, Newhall, near where a company makes pre-fabricated houses, 53.217245, -6.722889
From before 8th March 2024 to the present, a number of protestors have occupied a camp at this large green field site. Unfortunately they were not able to stop, but are delaying, the development of what is almost a new town of pre-built houses and some communal large tent facilities.

 

[scolairebocht]

11. Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow, Trudder or River Lodge House, 53.075503, -6.109874
From the 15 March 2024 there were reports of locals organising future protests at the site.
(https://www.greystonesguide.ie/trouble-at-trudders-river-lodge/). On the 25 April 2024 the Garda Public Order unit cleared the protestors from around the House, and migrants were bused in. This violent act, with the first widespread use of pepper spray from the Gardai, led to considerable outrage in Ireland and many large supporting protests were held there in subsequent days. The protestors recreated the camp twice more but these were also destroyed. By mid July 2024 it was reported that the original 200 or so active protestors had dwindled to about 40, but these remained very active at the site or nearby.

12. Coolock, Co. Dublin, former Crown Paints factory on the Malahide Rd., 53.392633, -6.193117
For approximately four months until the 15th July 2024 a large well organised (one of the posters at the site had a QR code for further information!) and well supported protest camp was enacted to guard against a migrant centre being created out of this large paint factory. (Also this camp in Coolock was the culmination of earlier camps and protests in the general North Dublin area from at least 2023, including in Coolock itself, Artane and Ballymun.) On that Monday morning, at 3.30 am, Gardai, security personnel and workmen arrived armed with a JCB to destroy the camp. The 3 occupants were given 30 seconds to gather their possessions or be crushed by the JCB. This sparked off almost a week of protests (at the time of writing) with the protestors characterised as thugs who turned on the Gardai, with no mention in the mass media of the Gardai attacking them. It has led to worldwide news, some of the protestors were interviewed on Japanese radio, but they are nonetheless almost completely blanked out of mention, other than sander, in the Irish media.

13. Dundrum, Co. Tipperary, Dundrum House Hotel, 52.551924, -8.033495
On the 29th of May a 24 hour encampment was setup here to protest the overwhelming numbers planned to descend on their small village, and it is still going. (https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0717/1460453-dundrum-house-protest/).

14. Ballina, Co. Mayo, Twin Trees Hotel, Downhill Rd., 54.117033, -9.135699
For a number of months protestors occupied a camp opposite the entrance to the hotel, and succeeded in blocking any further development of this hotel into a migrant centre (although it still functions as a hotel). In early July 2024 the County Council, with the assistance of Gardai, destroyed the camp when it was unoccupied, however the protestors are still in the vicinity, in cars, and are still blocking development there and intend recreating the camp.

15. Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, green field development at Heywood Rd., on land owned by the HSE, previously used by travellers for their horses, 52.366614, -7.718065
In the early part of 2024, as rumours circulated, with only part of the information passed to local TD Mattie McGrath, a protest camp was set up here in Clonmel near the Rugby club and halting site. These protestors had considerable success in halting development at the site until on the 11 June 2024 a huge Garda and security personnel and workforce descended on the small, almost country lane, here and proceeded to build in a few hours a huge new entrance and proceeded to develop the site at a rapid pace. The protest camp was destroyed, but recreated and at the time of writing is still there, I believe.

16. Ballyogan, Co. Dublin, Ballyogan Rd. near recycling park, 53.255619, -6.187649
After rumours circulated about the creation of a new migrant centre beside the recycling facility, which local Councillors refused to confirm, a protest was organised outside it. However a short time after it was created it was brushed aside, violently, by the Gardai on the 22 May 2024, who escorted migrants into it. Since then a small 24 hour encampment has been set up at the site. In the early hours of the 21sts of July 2024 it was on fire, having been burned by a number of migrants when it was empty, as spotted by one of the protestors. But it was immediately built back up again, even larger than before.

17. Thornton Hall, Co. Dublin, near Ashbourne, Co. Meath, green field site formerly the proposed site of a new jail, 53.462149, -6.353479 and 53.469271, -6.339210
Protestors created two camps, on Thursday 30 May 2024 here because it was unclear where the developers would enter into this large acreage site, nonetheless there is now development on the site but also the protestors are still there.

by Brian Nugent, www.orwellianireland.com

 

[jpc]

That's astounding public resistance and response.
And not surprisingly right now!
Totally missing bar Coolock from the media!

 

[PlunkettsGhost]

reminds me of this map:

 

[Declan]

Our focus should be to have a contact sending us reports from as many of thrse as possible

 

[Professor]

Our focus should be to have a contact sending us reports from as many of thrse as possible

I've been to Two now. One time it was really quiet, and yesterday it was occupied by about 12-14 people who turned up.
A quiet low tempo (In the soft rain) and I was told by the group (genuine friendly interesting folk) that their initial protest prior to foreign arrivals had been on a permanent encampment basis but the Gardai had been around and directed a scrapping of the protest site of permanent protestor occupancy.

One point that was made by a few members was the awful lack of support from the people of Ballina, apparently 97% of locals prefer to be spoon fed by the TV

I'm going back next week to gain more experience and spend some worth while time with people who care enough about their social environment to challenge the Planting.

 

[Declan]

You may not be comfortable telling us which one???

But when there, ask if someone will act as a spokesperson for the site and gove us the video so we can put their location out there.

just show them our utube channel

 

[Professor]

You may not be comfortable telling us which one???

It's a bit nervy going out into the public space to join up with groups who are going to meet up with Garda pressure/force (when one is unaccustomed to such) sooner or later. It's a bit like dipping the toe before taking the plunge.

I met Corky who's a real nice guy and made feel welcome by him and all around. I said that I'll try to bring another person along next time which was well received.

If anybody wants a lift from Sligo to Ballina next Sunday, then let's get it together!!
Early days but sure we've got to make a start somewhere

 

[Declan]

I understand, not everyone is as good looking, intelligent and articulate as myself and @valamhic .

 

[Professor]

I'm happy to go out to Knock and Ballina to lend a bit of support in the spirit of respect & solidarity with the countrywide opposition to Planting.

Meanwhile, here in Sligo there's a DP centre in operation since 16+years ago and now that large cente is undergoing massive expansion in building works (Feckin Huge and grimly imposing!) in the centre of the ancient Abbet Quarter, while the observable population of foreigners is . . . Huge too.
Nobody I know here has breathed a word about ANY of it!
In fact the towns folk don't talk much about much or do much together anymore apart from some local formalities.
The town is swamped by foreigners and only growing, and the locals are not to be seen much and certainly do not enjoy any leisure in their town, in the evening and at night - It's a pure GhostTown!! Apart from the Pubs and they're popular use seems occasional. It's like society and spirit has been hollowed out and diminished.

I must admit to keeping myself to myself due to the fact that Locals are actually quite Hostile to Each Other or so has been my impression.
We're split along Irish cultural & religious sect lines of sorts and now seem to have little to bind us together.
Divided Locally, the Town falls into the hands of Foreigners.
I often hear myself cursing various local aspects/factions under my breath and out loud for the mean shoddy shite state of affairs in the Town and the lack of progressive development over the years, then and now.

Quite useless and hostile to each other, often with poor service & ignorance, overt disregard for local prosperity. I decry the mean and nasty vibes and have nothing to do with their troublesome backwater backwards ways.
In many ways the locals are mean to each other but roll out the red carpet for the foreigners who now increasingly are filling up the town in business & residence.
Trocaire & Concern probably have head offices here and the Landlords coin it by buying up everything to rent out to the Gov for tasty €€€€€€€€€€'s cheques - It's fuckin mad in some ways, some days . . .

Just a few random observations . . .

 

[Hermit]

A couple of years ago I attempted to compile a database of all plantation centres, but I had to give up because it was too hard to keep up with...and since then it has gone into complete overdrive.


View: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vT_0e7v51n627h1pExD5KcPlUV3jIJt5iBYAgFgWvr07ujXLql_IJYLYv6zTjRghmQcElA6qtXDjnTF/pubhtml?gid=350446611&single=true

 

[scolairebocht]

Yes its extraordinary, the pace of racial change they want to bring about here is off the charts. Its totally an invasion.

 

[Myles O'Reilly]

I must admit to keeping myself to myself due to the fact that Locals are actually quite Hostile to Each Other.

Perhaps its best if you just try and stay in Tobber instead of going into Sligo town Buddy.

Are there any farmers in the area with African mail order Brides Sir?