Ireland is suffering from “reverse poppy facism” in a way that leaves some unable to commemorate their family who fought in past conflicts, Ciara Kelly has argued. 

With Remembrance Sunday approaching, images of poppy wearing presenters have been beamed by British broadcasters into Irish homes. 

The little paper flowers became popular as a symbol of remembrance for the British Empire’s war dead in the aftermath of the First World War. 

However, more than a century on since the guns fell silent on the Western Front, some feel there is an unnecessary element of compulsion to the poppy in modern Britain. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Shane Coleman said he found it all distasteful. 

 “Personally, I would not wear a poppy,” he said. 

“It’s become associated with British militarism; I also have a problem with the pressure and coercion involved and people are vilified if they don’t wear one. 

“Jon Snow used the term ‘poppy facism’ and I think that term is kind of legitimate.” 

Shane added that it is now “fashion accessory and something you have to wear.” 

“If somebody wants to wear it that’s totally up to them, I don’t have a problem with it,” he said. 

Queen Elizabeth II on Remembrance Sunday in 2019. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Co-presenter Ciara Kelly agreed there is a “degree of poppy facism” in Britain, noting the likes of Derry footballer James McClean take “huge abuse” for playing without one on. 

“I suspect it would exist somewhat in reverse here,” she said. 

“If I was wearing a poppy right now, people wouldn’t like it - people would be annoyed.” 

While there is no exact figure, it is thought that between 30 and 50,000 Irishmen died fighting in the First World War. 

A significant number of Irish people also fought for the Allies in the Second World War as well. 

Irish World War Two veteran John Hemingway in August 2024. Picture by: Newstalk

Ciara added that while the poppy is “not my thing”, she would not object if she saw someone wearing one. 

“I do suspect there would be poppy facism in reverse if I wore one here,” she said. 

“And I have a great-great uncle who died in World War One - as do hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people in this country who, I think, would be reluctant to remember their own dead because of the poppy facism that exists here. 

“I think it exists both ways; personally, I don’t care whether people wear poppies or not.” 

Jessie Brophy and her sister Nancy Brophy aged 87 with medals at a Memorial event for Irish soldiers in World War 1 at the Main road in Killester, Clontarf West. Their Father Jack Brophy fought in WW1 and WW2 and their mother Agnes was a poppy seller for the British Legion. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Ciara concluded that, “Armchair republicanism is rife in this country”. 

“And we are actually revising our own history as much as anything else - and I don’t like it,” she argued.  

Main image: Split of Ciara Kelly and a poppy wreath. Pictures by: Newstalk and Alamy.com.