'We do not need to exclude people': Independent TD called out by Kildare figure for post ahead of St Patrick's Day

An Independent Ireland TD has been called out by a County Kildare figure for a post he submitted online ahead of St Patrick's Day 2026.

Ken O'Flynn TD, who is based in County Cork, made a Facebook post in which he said: "Everyone is welcome to celebrate with us.

"Ireland has always been welcoming, but the day should remain about Ireland."

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He further asserted: "Turning St Patrick’s Day into a global 'celebrate every culture' festival misses the point."

"Every nation deserves one day each year that honours its own heritage; Ireland deserves the same," the Deputy concluded.

However, Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender, who represents the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, criticised Deputy O'Flynn's stance.

Taking to his own Facebook profile, Cllr Pender issued a lengthy post calling out Deputy O'Flynn's assertions.

He said: "I see Independent Ireland have just gone full blown fake culture war.

"Locally, our St Patrick’s Day parade has welcomed people from many backgrounds for a very long time. Schools, sports clubs, community groups, new communities, long settled families.

"Everyone takes part and everyone celebrates; that is exactly what makes the day special."

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'NONSENSE'

He continued:  St Patrick’s Day celebrates Ireland. Our history, our music, our language, our culture, but let’s deal with the nonsense doing the rounds today."

"St Patrick himself was not Irish; he came here from Wales. Our national day is based on the story of a migrant who made Ireland his home (whether he wanted to or not).

"He is also recognised as the patron saint of Nigeria because of the long history of Irish missionaries there.

"Irish culture has never been closed off; Irish people brought St Patrick’s Day to New York, Boston, Sydney and London.

Those parades were built by Irish migrants proud of their heritage, so when someone complains that people from different cultures joining a parade 'misses the point', it says more about them than it does about Ireland.

"Ireland is confident in its culture. We do not need to exclude people to celebrate who we are."

Cllr Pender further said that calling diversity in a parade a problem "is not about protecting Irish culture, it is just the same tired racism dressed up in new language."

Although he agreed with the sentiment that St Patrick’s Day "belongs to Ireland," he stressed that Ireland "has always been a place where people arrive, contribute and become part of the story".

"Everyone is welcome to celebrate; that is what Irish fáilte actually means," Cllr Pender concluded.

FOLLOW-UP COMMENT

The Leinster Leader asked Deputy O'Flynn for comment in response to Cllr Pender's views.

In his reply, he stressed that people "from every background are welcome to join those celebrations."

The Deputy elaborated: "My point is straightforward; Ireland’s national day should remain centred on Irish culture and Irish tradition.

"That does not exclude anyone, It simply recognises what the day represents."

He also said: "I do think it is deeply disappointing that a public representative would attempt to brand people as racist simply for expressing pride in Irish culture or for stating that Ireland’s national day should celebrate Ireland; that type of language lowers the tone of public debate and does nothing to promote understanding.

"Irish culture is something to be proud of, and many people who now call Ireland home celebrate it enthusiastically every year, which is something to be welcomed."

Concluding his statement, he said: "There is room to welcome everyone while still recognising the significance of Ireland’s national day and the heritage it commemorates."

LEFT: Ken O'Flynn TD (Photograph credit: oireachtas.ie). RIGHT: Cllr Chris Pender (File photograph)

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.