Fashion
“Mum flew an Irish Tricolour in her garden in Essex as a riposte to a Cross of St George.” Author Sunder Katwala on modern identity
![“Mum flew an Irish Tricolour in her garden in Essex as a riposte to a Cross of St George.” Author Sunder Katwala on modern identity “Mum flew an Irish Tricolour in her garden in Essex as a riposte to a Cross of St George.” Author Sunder Katwala on modern identity](https://focus.independent.ie/thumbor/AqcFR0ZN606xRWVC3HXlhFPUOnU=/629x460/smart/prod-mh-ireland/46e31096-17de-4464-bcd5-0f705629768a/fecf4fe2-99c4-4d0d-a4da-69999225dece/SF%20Ireland%20%285%29.jpg)
Katwala’s mother is from Cork and his father is Indian
Republic of Ireland fans demonstrate their patriotism on the stands. Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
The question of what counts as patriotism is one that hangs heavy in Europe in 2024. All across the continent political parties campaign under the flags of their respective countries with promises to increase border controls and keep out illegal migrants.
At home the “Ireland is Full” brigade display the Tricolour on social media and attack national heroes of mixed heritage, like Rhasidat Adeleke, while other equally vocal groups speak for a more inclusive version of national identity, summed up in Imelda May’s famous poem: You Don’t Get to Be Irish and Racist. The question of how to forge something positive from national pride seems far from fixed.