Last week tens of thousands gathered in Dublin, Ireland for the nation’s annual pro-life rally. Pro-lifers have marched in Ireland since 2007. But this year, they bore a heightened sense of urgency. Headed by the pro-life group Save the 8th, they marched to keep abortion illegal. 

Ireland’s constitution bans abortion. In this, the nation is rare in the developed world. Adopted in 1983, the constitution’s Eighth Amendment “acknowledges the right to life of the unborn.” Abortion is only legal to save the mother’s life. 

That could soon change. Citizens can vote in a constitutional referendum in May or June. Their choice will then be submitted to the president for signing. Any change to the constitution would only allow abortion up to 12 weeks, according to Irish Health minister Simon Harris.

In a show of support for the Eighth Amendment, around 100,000 showed up to march last Saturday, organizers estimate. Media reported tens of thousands. It was more than expected, said a spokesperson for Save the 8th. But “it was evidence of the strong pro-life position around Ireland.” 

Independent.ie reported there was a relatively minuscule counter-protest.

Support for the Unborn

The rally featured a variety of pro-life speakers, including American Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa. Herndon-De La Rosa made news last year after her pro-life group, New Wave Feminists, was booted from partnering with the Women’s March on Washington. In her speech, she called abortion a “symptom of women’s oppression.” 

The line-up also included Charlie Fien, a pro-life activist with Down syndrome. Fien noted the high abortion rates of unborn babies with Down syndrome around the world. “Saving the Eighth will save the lives of babies with Down syndrome,” she said.

Part of Save the 8th’s campaign focuses on supporting the rights of people with Down syndrome. 

What Does Ireland Want?

Those fighting to “save the 8th” insist the Irish people don’t want or need abortion. In an interview with The Stream last August, pro-life activist Niamh Ui Bhriain claimed foreign funding and biased media fuel the Irish pro-choice movement.

“Ireland’s experience shows that you could ban abortion and protect women’s lives,” Ui Bhriain said at the time. According to data, Ireland’s maternal mortality rate is among the world’s lowest. Abortion advocates “know pro-lifers the world over can look to Ireland as a real, proven example of why abortion is never necessary,” she said. 

‘Abortion is Not the Answer’

Despite pro-lifers’ insistence that Ireland rejects abortion, Irish media tells a slightly different story. According to an Irish Times poll this year, 56 percent support allowing abortion up to 12 weeks. 

How do pro-lifers respond? “The Irish people have not been afforded a fair and balanced discussion,” Save the 8th maintained in a email to The Stream. “When the Irish people are made fully aware of the actual wording of the referendum question, we have no doubt that these numbers will shift to a pro-life point of view.” 

The spokesperson pointed to the Life Canvass, an effort begun in 2015 by pro-lifers. Volunteers knock on doors to engage citizens in discussion about abortion. “The response is predominantly positive [toward the pro-life position].” 

Pro-lifers still think Ireland could stand to improve the way it helps struggling mothers and families. For instance, with better healthcare and social support. But “abortion is not the answer.” 

In a few months, the referendum will reveal whether the rest of Ireland agrees.