Taoiseach Simon Harris has warned that democracy is under attack across the world and closer to home, and that these threats to democracy are real.
However, he told those gathered to mark the 102nd anniversary of the killing of Michael Collins in an ambush at Béal na Bláth, that Ireland remains united in defiance of those who "try to thwart the will of the people by violence and intimidation".
A crowd of up to 500 people gathered amid tight security to hear the Taoiseach address the commemoration.
Mr Harris said there is a small group of people who seek to create division "among those who were once forced to leave their home in search of a better life, with others who are now seeking to do the same".
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He said: "There are some who wave a tricolour and claim patriotism while betraying the founding principles this country prides itself on - freedom, equality, opportunity.
"It is up to each of us to use our voice to call out the racism, the hate, the ugliness we see.
"We are also a nation of laws. It is vital we hold those who break our laws accountable."
Mr Harris is only the third Taoiseach in office to address the gathering in west Cork.
In a wide-ranging speech which dealt with the legacy of Michael Collins, the threat to democracy and Ireland's role in the world, the Taoiseach said consideration should be given to funding housing from the proceeds of the sale of shares in the banks bailed out during the economic crisis.
Mr Harris said Béal na Bláth "unexpectedly became a place of violence, the scene of a terrible, tragic death which haunted the new Irish State, depriving it of the vision and leadership of the person who had done so much to bring it into existence, someone who understood that the future of our nation is our people".
But, he said the annual gathering is an "act of defiance" and a symbol of "our great respect".
"We are sending out a message of hope from this site of tragedy, re-affirming to each other and to the Irish people that the gunman failed to kill the idealism that inspired a revolutionary generation, an idealism, that continues to inspire today," he said.
Mr Harris said the State had a promise that every voice matters, and every vote counts but he warned that democracy is under threat "from those would tear it down and those who would let it wither".
He said democratic values around the world are being undermined by disinformation, polarisation and the erosion of trust in institutions but he said like Collins' generation " we will fight those forces, and we will win".
He told the gathering that the State is united in defiance of those who try to silence elected politicians, who try to thwart the will of the people by violence and intimidation.
Mr Harris said Ireland emerged from the Civil War with a commitment to peace and nation-building, and said "in an increasingly unstable world, Ireland's role is to mediate, to listen, and to lead with credibility and compassion".
He said: "In Ukraine, we stand firmly against aggression, in defence of the principles of sovereignty and self-determination.
"In the Middle East, we champion dialogue over division and call for solutions that respect the dignity and rights of all people.
"And in the parts of the world threatened by famine and civil war, we remember our own history, speak out for those seeking fairness and justice and life itself, and act to make things better."
Mr Harris said anger is now an accepted form of political discourse by some, with hate and violence common responses to difficult decisions.
He added: "Misinformation and lies are the greatest risk to democracy and peace in our time", he told the gathering."
He said there is a small group of people who wish to create division among those "who were once forced to leave their home in search of a better life with others who are now seeking to do the same.
"There are some who wave a tricolour and claim patriotism while betraying the founding principles this country prides itself on - freedom, equality, opportunity.
"It is up to each of us to use our voice to call out the racism, the hate, the ugliness we see.
"We are also a nation of laws. It is vital we hold those who break our laws accountable. Those who attack our security forces, who attack the democratically elected politicians. In the same way, people who break our immigration laws will be held accountable too".
And he spoke directly of the country's housing crisis, which he said is destroying the lives of children and is a major factor in child poverty.
Mr Harris said the proceeds of the sale of shares in the banks bailed out during the 2008 economic crash "should be directed towards developing housing".
"The generation most affected by the mismanagement of banks deserves to benefit from our proper management.
"So, I think it's only fair we explore using the proceeds from the sale of bank shares to help fund the construction of new homes."
