Leo: Children SHOULD be taught Amhrán na bhFiann at school
Taoiseach backs the compulsory teaching of our National Anthem to pupils at primary school level
EVERY child should be taught the words of the National Anthem in primary school, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.
Senator Rónán Mullen recently raised the idea in the Seanad and said he believes the teaching of Amhrán na bhFiann should ‘form part of the curriculum at primary school level’.
Speaking in Chicago, where he was celebrating St Patrick’s Day, Mr Varadkar said he thought it would be a ‘good idea’.
His support for such a move came as he represented the country in the US over the St Patrick’s Day weekend and as hundreds of thousands proudly turned out yesterday in their finest green attire at colourful parades countrywide.
The Taoiseach said he learned Amhrán na bhFiann in school.
‘I think it would be a good idea for the National Anthem to be taught in schools – it was actually taught to me when I was in primary school. Whether it was mandatory or not, I don’t know, that’s where I
110th anniversary of the anthem
learnt the anthem. So I think that would be good.’
He said children should learn the lyrics from a young age.
‘The words of the National Anthem – I think that is something every kid should learn in primary school,’ he said.
Mr Mullen raised the issue in the Seanad during the recent Seachtain na Gaeilge and said it should form part of the curriculum in primary schools.
He also referenced the results of a recent opinion poll which suggested that less than half of the public know the words of Amhrán na bhFiann yet over 80% hold the view that it should be taught in school.
‘We should cherish our National Anthem more and we should encourage its teaching as a part of the curriculum,’ the Independent senator said.
‘One doesn’t have to admire every aspect of the lyrics to take a deeper and a broader view about its historical significance. It’s about seeing how language and music and song has the capacity to bring people together.’
Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly, meanwhile, has called on the Taoiseach to support his National Anthem Bill which aims to protect Amhrán na bhFiann from being used in advertising. Mr Daly said the National Anthem is an ‘intrinsic part of Irish identity’ and that the Taoiseach now has the opportunity to put his ‘words into action’ by supporting his Bill, which aims to ‘protect’ the anthem from being used in advertising. This Bill would also give official recognition to the sign language and Irish sign language versions.
Senator Daly said yesterday: ‘This Bill would give official recognition to Amhrán na bhFiann and to the Irish sign language version. This weekend as we celebrate Ireland and the symbols of our nation at home and across the world, I would urge the Government to support this Bill and to progress it through the Oireachtas.
‘I would particularly like to see this done this year as 2019 marks the 110th anniversary of the anthem being written by Peadar Kearney.’