Ireland’s Call
- 1.Accompaniment0:52
- 2.Melody0:47
“Ireland’s Call” is a song used as a national anthem by some sports competitors representing the island of Ireland, originally and most notably the men’s rugby union team. It was commissioned by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) for the 1995 World Cup, because many of the IRFU’s members are Ulster unionists from Northern Ireland who would regard the use of the anthem of the Republic of Ireland (“Amhrán na bhFiann“, “The Soldier’s Song”) as inappopriate.
For the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, the IRFU decided to commission a song from Phil Coulter. His composition, “Ireland’s Call”, has since been played alongside “Amhrán na bhFiann” at matches within the Republic, and on its own elsewhere.
While some all-island sports governing bodies use “Amhrán na bhFiann” in international competition (for example, the Golfing Union of Ireland and Irish Athletic Boxing Association) others do not, and many have followed the IRFU in adopting “Ireland’s Call”, including the Irish Hockey Union, Irish Cricket Union, rugby league team, korfball team, and A1 Grand Prix team. The song has attracted some opposition, both on musical grounds and from Irish nationalists who would prefer “Amhrán na bhFiann”. Journalist Malachy Clerkin wrote on its 20th anniversary, “It has run the gamut with a sceptical and often hostile public, from deep loathing to grudging acceptance to growing pockets of reasonably throated support.”
Purchase includes:
- Accompaniment
- Accompaniment + Melody
€3,50
Product Description
“Ireland’s Call” is a song used as a national anthem by some sports competitors representing the island of Ireland, originally and most notably the men’s rugby union team. It was commissioned by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) for the 1995 World Cup, because many of the IRFU’s members are Ulster unionists from Northern Ireland who would regard the use of the anthem of the Republic of Ireland (“Amhrán na bhFiann“, “The Soldier’s Song”) as inappopriate.
For the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, the IRFU decided to commission a song from Phil Coulter. His composition, “Ireland’s Call”, has since been played alongside “Amhrán na bhFiann” at matches within the Republic, and on its own elsewhere.
While some all-island sports governing bodies use “Amhrán na bhFiann” in international competition (for example, the Golfing Union of Ireland and Irish Athletic Boxing Association) others do not, and many have followed the IRFU in adopting “Ireland’s Call”, including the Irish Hockey Union, Irish Cricket Union, rugby league team, korfball team, and A1 Grand Prix team. The song has attracted some opposition, both on musical grounds and from Irish nationalists who would prefer “Amhrán na bhFiann”. Journalist Malachy Clerkin wrote on its 20th anniversary, “It has run the gamut with a sceptical and often hostile public, from deep loathing to grudging acceptance to growing pockets of reasonably throated support.”
Purchase includes:
- Accompaniment
- Accompaniment + Melody
