Ireland’s rugby team uses two anthems because the team represents the whole island (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), and one anthem alone doesn’t comfortably speak to everyone’s politics and identity.

Why does Irish rugby have two anthems?

Quick Scoop

Before Irish rugby internationals, you’ll usually hear:

  • “Amhrán na bhFiann” (The Soldier’s Song) – the official national anthem of the Republic of Ireland.
  • “Ireland’s Call” – a specially written, rugby-focused anthem meant to represent all 32 counties, north and south.

They exist side by side because Irish rugby is an all-island sport, but Ireland itself is politically divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (part of the UK).

A very short history lesson

To really understand why does Irish rugby have two anthems , you need a bit of context.

  • The island of Ireland is split into:
    • The Republic of Ireland – an independent state.
    • Northern Ireland – part of the United Kingdom.
  • Rugby, however, has one team for the whole island , run by the IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union). Players and fans come from both sides of the border, with very different national symbols and histories.

This mix makes the anthem question way more sensitive than in most countries.

Anthem 1: Amhrán na bhFiann – the official state anthem

Amhrán na bhFiann (“The Soldier’s Song”) is:

  • The official national anthem of the Republic of Ireland.
  • Written around 1909–1910 by Peadar Kearney (lyrics) and Patrick Heeney (music).
  • Closely tied to the Irish independence struggle and republicanism, especially during the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921), when it was even nicknamed the “Sinn Féin anthem”.

For many nationalists in the Republic, it’s a powerful, emotional symbol of independence.
For many unionists in Northern Ireland, the lyrics and history feel strongly political and exclusionary, not just “neutral patriotism”.

So if rugby only used Amhrán na bhFiann, players and supporters from Northern Ireland who feel British or unionist could feel like outsiders in their own team.

Anthem 2: Ireland’s Call – the rugby anthem

In the 1990s, the IRFU set out to create something more neutral and inclusive for rugby.

  • “Ireland’s Call” was commissioned by the IRFU and written by Phil Coulter in 1995.
  • It was designed as a non-partisan, non-state anthem that:
    • Mentions no armies, no wars, no flags, and no specific state.
    • Represents all four provinces and all 32 counties.
    • Can be sung comfortably by players from both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

It was also a response to very tense decades during the Troubles, when political symbols caused real friction and even security concerns around sport.

Today, “Ireland’s Call” has become the standard anthem for Irish rugby abroad , and is also used by other all-Ireland teams in sports like hockey and cricket.

So when are the two anthems actually played?

Here’s how it usually works in rugby:

  • Home games in Dublin (Aviva Stadium, Republic of Ireland)
    • Amhrán na bhFiann is played as the anthem of the host country.
* **Ireland’s Call** is also sung to represent the entire island and all players.

* Players from Northern Ireland are _not_ required to sing Amhrán na bhFiann, but the whole team generally joins in for Ireland’s Call.
  • Away games (Six Nations, World Cup, tours)
    • Usually only “Ireland’s Call” is performed for the Irish team.

That’s why TV viewers often notice two anthems in Dublin but only one at, say, Twickenham or Stade de France.

Why does Irish rugby keep both?

There are a few overlapping reasons behind “why does Irish rugby have two anthems”:

  • Political reality
    • Amhrán na bhFiann is the state anthem of the Republic of Ireland and can’t simply be dropped in Dublin without a political storm.
* At the same time, it doesn’t represent many people from Northern Ireland on the team or in the stands.
  • Rugby’s all-island identity
    • The team is one of the few institutions that deliberately spans the border and unites four provinces (Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Ulster).
* Ireland’s Call gives a **shared, “team-first” anthem** for everyone, regardless of national allegiance.
  • Symbolic compromise
    • In Dublin: Amhrán na bhFiann satisfies the formal national/protocol side; Ireland’s Call expresses the rugby identity and unity side.
* Abroad: Ireland’s Call avoids a row about which state anthem to use and focuses on the team.

In short: two anthems survive because each is doing a different job.

What do fans and forums say about it?

Online discussion and forums show a mix of opinions, and this is where the “forum discussion” angle kicks in:

  • Some Irish fans feel Ireland’s Call is perfect for rugby:
    • It’s less divisive, more inclusive, and feels like a true rugby anthem, not a state anthem.
  • Others:
    • Think Amhrán na bhFiann should be enough , especially in Dublin, as it’s the country’s official anthem.
* Or they simply don’t like the _style_ of Ireland’s Call and prefer traditional songs like “The Fields of Athenry” for atmosphere.

You’ll find Reddit threads debating whether both anthems should be played at away games too, whether Ireland’s Call should replace Amhrán na bhFiann entirely at rugby, or whether a whole new anthem would be better.

“Rugby embraces a united Ireland all 32 counties so this is the rugby anthem. Cannot have God Save the Queen and the Irish Republic anthem on one pitch.” – attitude reflected in fan posts and comments.

There’s no complete consensus, but most accept the current double-anthem set- up as a workable compromise.

Is this still a trending topic?

Around big tournaments like the Six Nations or a Rugby World Cup , “why does Irish rugby have two anthems” often resurfaces in:

  • Match previews and explainer articles.
  • Social media posts from confused neutrals watching Ireland for the first time.
  • Forum threads debating identity, unity, and whether sports should carry political history.

That means your question is very much part of an ongoing, living conversation about sport, politics, and identity on the island of Ireland.

Mini FAQ

Q: Is “Ireland’s Call” the official national anthem of Ireland?
No. The official national anthem of the Republic of Ireland is Amhrán na bhFiann ; Ireland’s Call is a rugby (and all-island sport) anthem, not a state anthem.

Q: Do they always sing both anthems?
No. In Dublin, you usually hear both Amhrán na bhFiann and Ireland’s Call. At away games, it’s generally only Ireland’s Call.

Q: Could they end up with just one anthem in future?
It’s possible people will keep debating it – some want Ireland’s Call only, some want Amhrán na bhFiann only, some like the current compromise – but as of now, the two-anthem system remains.

SEO mini-summary / TL;DR

  • Why does Irish rugby have two anthems?
    Because the team represents the entire island – Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland – and no single state anthem can represent everyone fairly.
  • What are the two anthems?
    • Amhrán na bhFiann – official anthem of the Republic of Ireland.
    • Ireland’s Call – neutral, all-island rugby anthem.
  • When are they used?
    • Home in Dublin: both anthems.
    • Away: usually Ireland’s Call only.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.