A national anthem but how many could sing it?

Few people know the words of ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’, and fewer still know what they mean, so why, asks Ryle Dwyer, is playing ‘Ireland’s Call’ at rugby matches such a big deal?

THE decision to play ‘Ireland’s Call’ instead of the national anthem at rugby matches abroad, such as at the recent rugby international in Rome, still annoys a few people.

In a follow-up report, RTÉ’s Nationwide featured interviews with a dozen people who were asked to sing or say the words of the anthem. None could recite more than a few words of it.