Ireland's Call origins?

KevinMunster12

I was watching a periscope from the changing of the guards at Buckingham palace this morning and the band played the tune of Ireland's call. Just wondering what is it relationship to the British army or royal family

irishbucsfan

No, not even slightly. It was written by Phil Coulter in 1995 specifically for the IRFU.

Jawgap

KevinMunster12 wrote: »

I was watching a periscope from the changing of the guards at Buckingham palace this morning and the band played the tune of Ireland's call. Just wondering what is it relationship to the British army or royal family

B@st@rds!!!!!

It was specially commissioned to reflect the fact the team is drawn from both jurisdictions on the island.

It has no real relationship to any army - it's not, for example, a regimental march or song, although some British, American and Canadian regiments do have some great tunes we should try and reclaim for the rugby - Garryowen (7th Cav's marching tune) being a fairly obvious one.

Losty Dublin

This link may or may not work. It's a documentary on Ireland's Call and was shown on TV3 as part of the build up to the RWC. It will probably come up for a repeat over the coming days, either on TV3 or 3E.

Edit. No it didn't work, sorry.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Perhaps the Irish Guards regiment of the British Army have adopted it?

irishbucsfan

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Perhaps the Irish Guards regiment of the British Army have adopted it?

They play all sorts of songs at the changing of the guards. Pretty sure they've played Lady Gaga there before!

awec

It was penned by a great Irish warrior called Philus of the clan O'Coulter, and he would have his troops chant it when they were heading into battle.

There used to be a dance associated with it similar to the haka, though the IRFU obviously decided not to adopt this.

Oasis1974

Think it was an old IRA song.

irishbucsfan

It was actually originally written for Denis O'Brien as a Digifone advert, hence the name, but it ended up being a bit "fighty" so the IRFU decided to buy it instead.

It's about Siamese twins who lived upstairs to a guy called Kenny Ireland who was disabled. At the same hour every day Ireland would call for his supper and the lads would come downstairs shoulder to shoulder to answer his call.

It's a touching story really, lovely that it was put to song.

KevinMunster12

http://thestar.ie/mums-try-irelands-call-as-lullaby-for-tots/ never realised it was so popular in the Uk

Magico Gonzalez

Famous ode to the "Four proud protestants of Ulster"

Jawgap

awec wrote: »

It was penned by a great Irish warrior called Philus of the clan O'Coulter, and he would have his troops chant it when they were heading into battle.

There used to be a dance associated with it similar to the haka, though the IRFU obviously decided not to adopt this.

The song is actually based on an old tribal battle cry, blessed by the Druids and only to be sung by kings in time of crises from the great forts of the Five Kingdoms of Old Ireland.

Legend has it that if the song is sung by a virgin prince then CuChulain, Na Fianna and Brian Boru himself will rise up to defend Ireland in their hour of need.

Phil Coulter took this ancient and spiritual song and re-arranged it in its current form.

CuChulain and Na Fianna first heard it sung in it's new form and said "you're on your own lads, we can't go into battle on the back of that dirge."

Brian Boru said that he'd rather take another belt from that Viking's axe than to have to listen to it ever again.

leakyboots

Didn't Davy Tweed write it?

BOHtox

leakyboots wrote: »

Didn't Davy Tweed write it?

Didn't Davy Wright tweet it?

RuggieBear

use google.

Unfortunately, every discussion on the anthems descends into ****e. Not saying this one has yet but it would...