Ireland is often described as having “two anthems” because there is one official national anthem for the state, and another song created specifically to represent the whole island (including Northern Ireland) in all‑Ireland sports, especially rugby.

The two different songs

  • Amhrán na bhFiann (“A Soldier’s Song”) is the official national anthem of the Republic of Ireland, used by the state at official events, most sports, and schools.
  • Ireland’s Call was written in the 1990s as a neutral, inclusive song for all‑Ireland teams so that players and fans from both the Republic and Northern Ireland could share one anthem without the same political baggage.

At many rugby matches in Dublin you’ll hear both: first Amhrán na bhFiann (for the Republic), then Ireland’s Call (for the whole island team).

The historical and political background

Ireland’s anthem story is tied to partition and conflict.

  • Amhrán na bhFiann began as a militant independence song in the early 20th century and was popular among Irish Volunteers and republicans during the War of Independence.
  • It became the Free State’s unofficial anthem in the 1920s and was formally adopted in Irish in the 1930s.
  • Its lyrics celebrate armed struggle and rejection of British rule, which many unionists in Northern Ireland find alienating or provocative.

Because the main Irish rugby team represents both the Republic and Northern Ireland, relying only on Amhrán na bhFiann risked excluding or offending part of the fan base and some players.

Why “Ireland’s Call” was created

Tensions around symbols, flags, and songs were especially sharp during the Troubles and into the 1980s.

  • Concerns grew that Amhrán na bhFiann and the Republic’s flag did not feel like they belonged to unionist players or supporters from Northern Ireland.
  • In the mid‑1990s, the Irish Rugby Football Union commissioned a new, more neutral anthem that focused on unity, teamwork, and the island of Ireland rather than on war or politics.
  • Songwriter Phil Coulter wrote Ireland’s Call in 1995, and it has since become the standard anthem for Irish rugby and some other all‑island teams.

Today, Ireland’s Call is used at away rugby games and many neutral venues, while home games in Dublin often feature both songs.

How this shows up in sport and public life

  • Rugby Union (Ireland team): Ireland’s Call at all games; Amhrán na bhFiann usually added at home matches in the Republic.
  • Other sports and state occasions in the Republic: Generally use only Amhrán na bhFiann as the state anthem.
  • Public debate: Some people argue Ireland’s Call is bland and want more use of the traditional anthem; others see the newer song as a practical symbol of compromise and inclusion.

In short, Ireland doesn’t have two equal official state anthems: it has one official anthem for the Republic, and one specially written anthem to represent the whole island in contexts where politics and identity are more complicated.

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