User:Jnestorius/List of Irish national anthems

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Pre-independence[edit]

"O'Donnell Abu"
Published by Michael J McCann in The Nation in 1843, purportedly based on the 1597 marching song of Hugh Roe O'Donnell.[1] Used in the 1930s as the anthem of the Blueshirts.[2]
"Saint Patrick's Day (in the Morning)"
In the 18th century, Dublin theatres concluded with "God Save the King" followed by "Saint Patrick's Day (in the Morning)"; I guess ended by 1798.[3] From the early 19th century it was regarded by Catholic nationalists as the "national air", and gained acceptance by liberal unionists, including Lords Lieutenant, as a non-party air.[4] Used by, e.g. Irish regiments in the British Army. The air is old;[5] one set of lyrics, by Thomas Moore in 1811, is "The Prince's Day" ("Tho' dark are our sorrows..."),[6] honouring an Irish visit by the Prince of Wales, later George IV. Also played around 1930 when the Irish rugby team took the field in Ireland; for the English team, "Heart of Oak" was played.[7] And in 1924 at "international football", said Sean Lester -- did he mean soccer or rugby?[8]
"Fág an Bealach"
by Charles Gavan Duffy is subtitled "An Irish National Hymn" in an 1845 anthology of poems from The Nation.[9]
"A Nation Once Again"
Words by Thomas Osborne Davis, with original music, published by 1845.[10]
"Irish National Hymn"
by James Clarence Mangan was published in 1848 in John Mitchel's newspaper United Irishman.[11]
"God Save Ireland"
Quickly surpassed "A Nation Once Again" after its writing. After the Parnellite split, it became the anthem of the anti-Parnellite Irish National Federation
"The Boys of Wexford"
anthem of the pro-Parnellite Irish National League
"Slánfaidh Dia Éire"
sung at the end of Conradh na Gaeilge's 1920 Saint Patrick's Day concert.[12]

Remembrance Sunday services, begun in 1919, have included music representative of each of the four Home Nations; Ireland is represented by "The Minstrel Boy" and "Oft in the Stilly Night". Both have words by Thomas Moore; the former to the Irish air "The Moreen", and the latter to an arrangement by John Stevenson of what Moore call a "Scotch air". Barrell 2017 has more:

  • "patriotic songs that could represent the four nations as proud of their individuality, and proud members of the British Empire[,...] were particularly needed in the twenty years around 1900"
  • cites the Quarterly Review of 1899 'If it be inexpedient to instil “The Wearing of the Green” or “Who Fears to Speak of ’98” into the infant mind, there are melodies in plenty, such as “Aileen Aroon”, “The Little Red Lark”, and “The Meeting of the Waters”, to which no objection, political or musical, can be raised.'

Anthems of the independent state[edit]

"Amhrán na bhFiann"
A marching song of the Irish Volunteers from 1913, and later popular generally among Irish Republicans; from 1926 the national anthem of the Irish Free State, subsequently the Republic of Ireland.
"God Save the King"
regarded by unionists as the national anthem of the Free State prior to 1926. The Irish Times continued to refer to it as "the National Anthem", calling The Soldiers' Song "the Free State anthem".
"Let Erin Remember"
Another song by Thomas Moore, the air was used abroad as anthem of the Irish Free State from 1924–26
"Amhrán Dóchais"
often suggested as a replacement for the current National Anthem. Currently the official Taoiseach's Salute.

Sporting anthems for the whole island[edit]

"The Last Rose of Summer"
played in France in 1928 when Irish rugby team took the field.[7]
"Saint Patrick's Day"
As state above, played around 1930 when the Irish rugby team took the field in Ireland; for the English team, "Hearts of Oak" was played.[7]
"Londonderry Air"
formerly used by hockey (from 1970 till at least 1978[13]) and equestrian teams. Currently used by teams representing Northern Ireland
"The Rose of Tralee"
used by the rugby union team at the 1987 World Cup
"Ireland's Call"
used by the rugby union team since the 1995 World Cup

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ Perspectives on Irish Nationalism By Thomas E. Hachey, Lawrence John McCaffrey p.56
  2. ^ Fitzpatrick, David (2014-11-27). Descendancy. Cambridge University Press. p. 68. ISBN 9781107080935. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  3. ^ Donnelly, Sean (2004). "The Famousest Man in the World for the Irish Harp". Dublin Historical Record. 57 (1): 38–49. ISSN 0012-6861. JSTOR 30101445.; and see cited sources
  4. ^ Hill, Jacqueline R. (May 1984). "National Festivals, the State and 'Protestant Ascendancy' in Ireland, 1790-1829". Irish Historical Studies. 24 (93). Irish Historical Studies Publications Ltd: 30–51. doi:10.1017/S0021121400034015. JSTOR 30008025. S2CID 164096101. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  5. ^ ibiblio: Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day (in the Morning)
  6. ^ THE PRINCE'S DAY From The Irish Melodies by Thomas Moore, arranged by Charles Villiers Stanford
  7. ^ a b c No. 493 NAI DFA GR 1489 Letter from Seán Murphy (for Joseph P. Walshe) to Count Gerald O'Kelly de Gallagh (Paris) (1489/458) (Copy), Dublin, 16 December 1930 DIFP 1196
  8. ^ IT 21 Apr 1976 p.13
  9. ^ Davis, Thomas (1845). "Fág an Bealach". The Spirit of the nation. Ballads and songs by the writers of "The Nation," with original and ancient music, arranged for the voice and piano forte. Dublin: James Duffy. pp. 277–8.
  10. ^ The Spirit of the Nation: Ballads and Songs by the Writers of "The Nation," With Original and Ancient Music, Arranged for the Voice and Piano-forte, p.274
  11. ^ "Irish National Hymn". Corpus of Electronic Texts. University College Cork. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  12. ^ Ó Seireadáin, Cuan (17 July 2018). "Receipt No. 39" (PDF). Consultation on The Status, Treatment and Use of the National Anthem. pp. 82–83. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  13. ^ Downey, Paddy; Jacob, Joe (3 February 2012) [1978]. "From the archives". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 February 2012.

Sources[edit]