Our National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, is up for copyright renewal this December.
Dáil Éireann - 03/May/2011 Written Answers - National Anthem
70 years after the death of Peadar Kearney.



This thread wishes to explore what the Government should do when it is time to renew Copyright in a few months.

Would you prefer to change the anthem entirely? Many point to the line ''’S an bíobha i raon na bpiléar agaibh'' in the final verse is overly nationalistic as it points to the ''Saxon Foe''.
My argument here is most national anthems have some bit of nationalistic history in them. Look at the French anthem for example.

I think the government should enshrine the Anthem in the Constitution and give it the protection of the people it deserves as our national song.

What does the forum think? Change the anthem? Keep it and enshrine it, or do nothing?

Look forward to the debate.

Anybody?

I am curious to know what other countries have done with their anthems? or what steps have been taking to "protect" the anthems?

Originally Posted by NYCKY

I am curious to know what other countries have done with their anthems? or what steps have been taking to "protect" the anthems?

China put their into their Constitution in 2004.

A new All Ireland anthem please, so Rory can sing along 'n all.

I am not sure that enshrining an anthem in the constitution protects it, by that I mean from citizens of other countries.

Also, would enshrining it in the constitution require an amendment?

Sorry, ruserious, I know by asking more questions, I am not answering yours, but my questions are more for discussion.

Originally Posted by NYCKY

I am not sure that enshrining an anthem in the constitution protects it, by that I mean from citizens of other countries.

Also, would enshrining it in the constitution require an amendment?

Sorry, ruserious, I know by asking more questions, I am not answering yours, but my questions are more for discussion.

Well you would have to have a referendum to allow the government make special mention to the Constition and after that, apprpriate laws could be enacted by protecting it from international copyright.

Keep it, even if just only to piss off the Sindo heads.

Make its daily singing compulsory at all places of education and work...... A large picture of Enda Kenny should also be present and the people should be facing and saluting him during the singing....

(I'd leave things as they are.......)

If, as some posters are proposing, we do abolish the army, then there'd be a certain 'Oirishness' about retaining The Soldiers' Song as our national anthem!

Why not put up a poll? Something along the lines of:

1. Status quo.

2. Keep the tune but ask Phil Coulter to compose new words.

3. Switch to (a) Ireland's Call (b) the Fields of Athenry.

4. Ask Johnny Logan (or John Waters) to compose a new one for us.

5. Conduct a national competition to compose a new anthem - the lyrics of which must include references to both the diaspora and the gathering!