Published on 6th Jul, 2026
Attitudes in the Republic of Ireland towards immigration, trans rights, class, wealth and public housing are more progressive and inclusive than the narrative of polarisation dominating national debate - according to Hope and Courage Collective's first Ireland in Focus report, which tracks key developments, trends and events from 2024 to 2025.
Public attitudes on asylum and migration are in direct contrast to the “increasingly restrictive policies” advanced by politicians.
...It offers a hopeful reminder that the foundations for a more open and equal society already exist within and across communities and that these values can continue to shape the country’s future.
The report also details how, despite not achieving broad public support or electoral success, the far right is shaping the conversation and warns that the immediate threat is the normalisation of intimidation, violence and exclusionary narratives.
To read the report click here
Key Findings
1 Public attitudes are steadily becoming more inclusive year on year
- 66% agree that immigrants contribute positively to Irish culture and community, up from 64% in 2024
- 79% believe working-class people struggle with housing and bills because the system is rigged against them, up from 77%
- 75% agree that Transgender individuals should have the freedom to live their lives, up from 70%
- 69% agree that wealthy people are successful because they were given more opportunities than others, up from 63%
- 80% agreed that black, Asian and minority ethnic people face bigger barriers to success than white people, up from 75%
2 Communities are mobilising against racial hatred
- Although political discourse is being influenced by far-right framing, community mobilisation demonstrates that more inclusive attitudes, rooted in belonging, equality and the need for structural solutions to social challenges, already have a strong foundation in society
3 The far right has not secured broad public support or electoral success but is influencing public discourse
- Far right mobilisation has evolved into a hybrid model combining street activity, online amplification, symbolic encampments and localised intimidation
- Social media, particularly X, amplifies a small number of networks, which generates high visibility and national reach and in turn influences public discourse, being debated and platformed in mainstream media
- 75% of far-right narratives and content relating to the Republic of Ireland originates from outside the country
- Narrative framing around migration, asylum and housing is being repeated by mainstream political parties
4 Far right’s tactical narrative change
- In 2024 the far right used scarcity framing ie: ‘Ireland is full’. In 2025 it switched to grievance-based narratives ie: ‘Irish Lives Matter’
The findings around community cohesion are consistent with those contained in SCI’s Social Attitudes in Northern Ireland Community Cohesion, Political Trust and Economic Hardship report.
Drawing on the World Values Survey (2022) and the Hope not Hate Survey (2024/25), and in partnership with Professor Colin Knox from Ulster University, SCI examined the signals around cohesion, trust and economic security.
The findings revealed a society experiencing political dissatisfaction, significant economic strain, and concerns about community divisions - yet one that retains strong local bonds and pragmatic rather than extreme attitudes.
To read the report click here
Key findings
- Neighbourhood trust remains strong - but society feels fragile
- Economic strain is increasing - and is changing how people see everything else
- Democratic values are intact but trust in institutions to deliver has collapsed
- Education is emerging as the deepest dividing line
- Society is more vulnerable to polarisation than polarised - but the time to act is now
