Ireland’s rugby team uses two anthems because the team represents the whole island (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), and one anthem alone couldn’t do that job without political baggage.

The Short Version

  • The Republic of Ireland’s official anthem is “Amhrán na bhFiann” (The Soldier’s Song).
  • Irish rugby created “Ireland’s Call” in the 1990s as a neutral, all‑island song for players and fans from both North and South.
  • At home games in Dublin, they usually sing both ; at away games, it’s normally just “Ireland’s Call.”

A Team for the Whole Island

Rugby in Ireland is unique because the national team is picked from all four provinces: Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster (Ulster includes part of Northern Ireland, which is in the UK).

So when the team lines up, it’s not just the Republic of Ireland being represented; it’s the entire island, including people who might not identify with the Irish state or its independence anthem.

“Amhrán na bhFiann” – The Official Anthem

“Amhrán na bhFiann” is the Republic of Ireland’s official national anthem, adopted in 1926 and rooted in the struggle for independence from Britain.

Because its lyrics are explicitly about armed struggle and independence, many unionists in Northern Ireland view it as politically charged and not truly representative of them. This tension was sharpened during the Troubles, and even incidents like the 1987 IRA bombing that injured Irish players highlighted how sensitive symbols like the anthem could be.

“Ireland’s Call” – The Rugby Anthem

In the run‑up to the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the IRFU commissioned songwriter Phil Coulter to create a new anthem that would be inclusive for players from both North and South.

“Ireland’s Call” was designed to:

  • Avoid partisan or militaristic imagery.
  • Emphasize the “four proud provinces of Ireland” as a shared rugby identity.
  • Be simple, catchy, and easy for crowds to sing.

Over time it became the standard anthem for Irish rugby , used not only to sidestep politics but to give the team its own specifically rugby-centered symbol.

When Do They Sing Each One?

For Six Nations and other home internationals in Dublin:

  • “Amhrán na bhFiann” is played as the official anthem of the host country (the Republic of Ireland).
  • “Ireland’s Call” is then sung to represent the whole island and the all‑Ireland nature of the team.

For away games or neutral venues:

  • Typically only “Ireland’s Call” is performed as the Irish anthem.

Players from Northern Ireland are not required to sing “Amhrán na bhFiann,” but they usually join fully in “Ireland’s Call,” which is seen as their shared song.

How Fans and Forums Talk About It

On rugby and Irish forums, you’ll see a mix of views:

  • Some fans love the two‑anthem setup and say it’s a practical, respectful compromise that reflects the island’s history.
  • Others roll their eyes at “two national anthems” and joke about how long the pre‑match build‑up takes, or debate whether rugby should just stick to one song.

But most regular rugby followers accept that, given Ireland’s political past and the all‑island nature of the team, the two‑anthem solution is a workable way to keep everyone on board.

In simple terms: Ireland rugby has two anthems because one honours the state, and the other honours the shared team – and you need both to reflect the full story of Irish rugby.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.