Do you know the words to the Irish National Anthem?
Written as ‘The Soldier’s Song’ in 1910 by Irish Volunteer Peadar Kearney, Amhrán na BhFiann is a hymn of praise to those who fought for Irish freedom.
Most usually heard when belted out before a sporting event, a campaign has now been launched to ensure that every Irish citizen knows the words and can sing it when needed.
Out on the streets of Dublin, there was mostly a coy reaction when Newstalk reporter Mairéad Clearly asked people if they knew the words.
“No, don’t even try,” one woman said.
“No way.”
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Another woman knew a fair few lines but her friend thought it was unlikely she would ever be asked to sing for a living.
“She’s not the greatest singer,” he said.
Many people learn to sing it at school but a group of friends seemed unsure if this had been the case for them.
“I don’t know,” one woman said, while her friend said she was confident she had never been taught it.
The only person able to anthem from start to finish said she learned it in senior infants and has not forgotten a word since.
Amhrán na bhFiann
Sinne Fianna Fáil, atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor,
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna-scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh canaig' amhrán na bhFiann.
