Learning of national anthem should be made ‘mandatory’- Cllr

Stiofán Conaty of Sinn Féin has called for the learning of Ireland’s national anthem to be made mandatory in schools, saying every pupil should have an opportunity to understand its words, meaning and proper performance.

Speaking at the March meeting of Cavan County Council, Cllr Conaty said teaching of Amhrán na bhFiann should form part of the curriculum.

Cllr Conaty recalled how he first learned the anthem in fifth class attending Ballyhaise National School, and remains “extremely thankful” for the experience.

He said the initiative at the time came from the school principal, who took it upon himself to teach pupils the words and their meaning.

“Because of that opportunity, we learned the words and the story behind them,” he said. “But I’m very conscious that many pupils in other schools did not get that same experience.”

He said learning the anthem was “pivotal” in shaping his interest in Irish and politics.

“Learning Amhrán na bhFiann gave me a respect and reverence for our national story,” he told the meeting. “It gave me an appreciation that we all have a part to play, no matter how big or small.”

Referring to a recent survey suggesting around 70% of people support teaching the anthem as mandatory, he said community initiatives are already helping people learn it. He cited an example during Seachtain na Gaeilge, when members of Gaeil Mhuinchille in Cootehill gathered to go through the words and meaning of the anthem together.

“People who weren’t aware of it were delighted to learn it,” he said. “One man told me he had been mumbling through the lyrics at football matches for years.”

Cllr Conaty suggested local GAA clubs could also help promote learning of the anthem and encourage proper respect when it is performed at sporting events. “There is nothing worse at a football match where teams are fixing their socks or running into position before the tune has finished,” he said. “Proper respect must be given to the national anthem when it is performed in a public setting.”

His belief is if children are taught from a young age, a lasting sense of respect for would naturally follow.

“It’s not a political issue,” he added. “It shouldn’t be contentious. It’s about understanding and respecting our national symbols as part of civic education.”

The proposal received support from councillors across the chamber.

Fine Gael’s Trevor Smith of said he learned to sing the anthem in English while at school. Meanwhile Fianna Fáil's Patricia Walsh joked that being able to sing the anthem was one of the few things she left school having learned in Irish.

“If nothing else, I came away with that,” she said.

Support was also voiced by Shane P. O'Reilly of Independent Ireland and Áine Smith (FF), who said it would be “great to see” if the idea could be implemented.

Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley also welcomed the spirit of the motion, noting that he too had learned the anthem during his time in national school.