Happy 100th birthday to Amhrán na bhFiann.

A hundred years ago, the head of the Irish government, WT Cosgrave, adopted it as the National Anthem.

That decision on July 12, 1926, put The Soldier’s Song (the Irish translation by Liam Ó Rinn only grew in popularity in the years after) front and centre of the national consciousness.

It had been composed by Peadar Kearney, uncle of Brendan Behan, 15 years or so earlier, in collaboration with Patrick Heeney, who was mainly responsible for the melody.

The stirring song has stood the test of time, with little appetite to replace it or update it with more modern lyrics - although young pretender Ireland’s Call may challenge it in years to come, as a compromise in a newly-united Ireland.

National Anthems are strange beasts - and the current World Cup featuring a record 48 nations has given us a chance to see what unites many of these songs - and what divides them.

As a general rule of thumb, I have found that western European anthems tend to be dull, dirge-like, and anachronistic, while African ones can be wonderfully upbeat. Most South American anthems sound like they are threatening to smash our skulls in if we look at them askew.

I have to say, as an Irish citizen, that Amhrán na bhFiann is among the best of them. Of course, it helps when a song is associated with sporting greats and gold medals on podiums, but it is a belting tune nonetheless, and the fact people born outside of Ireland (like me) don’t understand the words can lend it an air of Gaelic mystery if anything.

It helps too when the nation shows respect for its anthem. UK friends of mine still fondly remember the band at my wedding reception........

© Evening Echo