Ireland
"Amhrán na bhFiann" (The Soldier's Song)

Words by: Peadar Kearney (English), Liam O Rinn (Irish)
Music by: Patrick Heeney and Peadar Kearney
Adopted: 1926

The text of Amhrán na bhFiann, consisting of three stanzas and a chorus, was written in 1907. It was first published in the newspaper, Irish Freedom in 1912. The chorus solely was formally adopted as the National Anthem in 1926, displacing the earlier Fenian anthem, God Save Ireland, used on an unofficial basis. A section of the National Anthem (consisting of the first four bars followed by the last five) is also the Presidential Salute.

There is currently a movement in Ireland to replace the anthem, due to its militant nature and anti-British tone. Also, some have argued that the melody is difficult to play, whereas others have pointed out that the whole song has been performed, instead of the chorus (which is the official anthem), or has been played at the wrong speed, both of which have happened at recent Olympic Games.

An anthem composed by Phillip Coulter called "Irelands Call" is used as a non-sectarian anthem, which is used by both northern and southern Irish athletes when competing together as a unified team.

See also: Northern Ireland.