Kneecap helps cancel 'far right' Irish culture and music festival

Kneecap, an Irish rap trio, vocally opposes censorship, decrying cancellations of their concerts over provocative chants like “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah!” Yet, they spearheaded a campaign to ban the Mise Éire festival in Drumshambo, County Leitrim, branding it “far right.”

The Mayflower Community Hall canceled the event under pressure from the Leitrim and Roscommon against Fascism (LARAF) open letter that was backed by Kneecap, Christy Moore, Fontaines DC, Chris O’Dowd and others. Organizer Stephen Kerr, an “anti-immigration activist,” was hosting a modest 400-ticket festival celebrating Irish culture and music.

The letter stated “If it is permitted to go ahead, we believe the far-right 'Mise Éire Festival' will tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower as a venue that has served to bring people together from all backgrounds and as a safe and inclusive cultural space for the community, for local schoolchildren and for all visitors to the area."

Mo Chara, a Kneecap member, faced a "terror charge" in UK during June for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig, which he denies. This incident bolstered their anti-censorship narrative, as cancellations swept their UK and European shows.

Manager Daniel Lambert endorsed the Mise Éire cancellation, aligning with Kneecap’s push to silence the event. Their anti-censorship stance crumbles under this contradiction, as they condemn restrictions on their rhetoric while demanding them for others.