One in 10 Irish adults believe the Holocaust never happened, survey finds
Six million Jews were killed in Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945
A new international survey has revealed around one in 10 Irish people believe the Holocaust is a myth or did not happen.
The survey conducted by the Global Strategy Group on behalf of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, questioned 1,000 adults in Ireland and forms part of a wider study across several countries.
The survey highlighted troubling gaps in Holocaust awareness among Irish adults, with a significant minority expressing denial or distortion of one of the most extensively documented atrocities in modern history.
Key findings revealed that one in 10 respondents said they believe the Holocaust is a myth while a further 17-19 per cent said the number of victims - six million people - during the Holocaust was greatly exaggerated.
The Holocaust refers to the systemic murder of six million Jews between 1941 and 1945 in Nazi Germany, alongside millions of other victims including Roma people, disabled people, political prisoners and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Researchers noted that many respondents reported encountering Holocaust denial or misinformation online, particularly on social media leading experts to warn that young people are increasingly exposed to misleading or false historical content.
Despite the findings, the survey also highlighted overwhelming public support for Holocaust education in Ireland:
- More than 90 per cent of respondents said learning about the Holocaust is important to help prevent future genocides
- Almost 9 in 10 believe it should be taught in schools
Ireland currently marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day each January, with educational initiatives supported by the Department of Education and the Irish Jewish community.