Ireland Rugby Union Internationals?

Question

I was watching Ireland play Austrailia today at rugby, and I noticed that the Irish sing two anthems which some players sing and some dont. Now Ive always noticed this when Ireland play, but the commentators never explain why. Do the 2 anthems represent Ulster and Eire hence why some dont sing them both. I'm confused!

Answer 1

The first song played is Ahmrain na Bhfiann, (Irish for A Soldiers Song) which is the anthem of the Republic of Ireland. The second song is 'Irelands Call' which was written due to the fact that Irish rugby (unlike soccer) includes all 32 counties (26 from the republic, 6 from the north).

Both are sung before home games only!!

Away games only use Irelands call.

Answer 2

In each case the team represents the whole island of Ireland (both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) while "Amhrán na bhFiann" (“A Soldier's Song” in Irish) - Ireland’s National Anthem only represents the Republic. In addition, the anthem’s militant Nationalist theme is seen as unacceptable by Unionists in Northern Ireland. At matches played in the Republic, both Amhrán na bhFiann (as the anthem of the host nation) and Ireland's Call (as the anthem of the home team) are sung. Elsewhere, Ireland's Call is the only anthem used.

At most games today, only the first verse is sung, followed by the chorus in the same key. The chorus is then repeated in a higher key; at the end, the last line is repeated.

The song was written by Phil Coulter in 1995. He composed it because he loved hearing a combination of the Irish accents singing together.[1] It was first broadcast simultaneously in Northern Ireland on the 'Kelly' show and in the Republic of Ireland on g*y Byrne's 'Late Late Show', sung by Andrew Strong, singer in the film The Commitments, accompanied by Portadown Male Voice Choir.

Answer 3

As already stated above the two anthems are the soldier song and Irelands Call....

To give you more detail (and so you can practice for this sunday against the Pacific Islands if you so wish....) Here's the lyrics to Ireland Call

Irelands Call-

Come the day, and Come the hour,

Come the power and the glory,

We have come to answer our countrys call,

For the four proud provices of ireland

Chorus

Ireland, Ireland, Together Standing Tall

Shoulder to shoulder, we'll answer Irelands Call

Come the mighty Glens of Antrim

Come the Rugged Hills of Galway,

From the Walls of Limerick, and Dublin Bay,

to the four proud provinces of Ireland

Chorus

Hearts of Steel, and heads unbowing,

Vowing never to be broken,

We will fight, until we can fight no more,

For the four Proud provinces of Ireland

Chorus

We'll answer Irelands Call......

Stop after the first verse for matches though....... LOL

Good Luck!

Answer 4

If I remember correctly, the one song is the national anthem and the other one is the rugby anthem.

Answer 5

wow u r smart! that is correct i think!