Irish players singing the anthem during the Women's Hockey World Cup last summer. Image: Steve Paston/PA Images Irish players singing the anthem during the Women's Hockey World Cup last summer. Image: Steve Paston/PA Images TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said that every child should be taught the words of the Irish national anthem – Amhrán na bhFiann – in primary school.
He made the comments after taking part in St Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago, telling TheJournal.ie that it would be a good idea. “So, I think that would be good,” he said. “I don’t think I would go down the American route, you know the pledge of allegiance at the start of the day, I’m not sure that would really fit in with the Irish culture. But the words of the national anthem – I think that is something every kid should learn in primary school.”
So, what do you think? Should every child be taught the words of Amhrán na bhFiann in primary school?
Its a great idea we should be proud to be Irish
Yes
Yes
Yes
Are you sure it wont offend anyone? I mean you cant fart these days with out being accused of being racist..
I'd like to see our public representatives learning, not just Our National Anthem, but our National Language. Yes ! I would hope every child in our Primary Schools would know it. Some of us had the custom of teaching it.
Agree completely
Why should every kid know this? I don't know it and it hasn't made a single bit difference between me and someone it does. It's the pointless stupidity as standing for a flag, it's just a song, and it's just a piece of coloured cloth. Cop on people, there's more to worry about.
Yes they should teach it and they have stopped in some schools. I was never taught it and neither were my sons. But if they are going to do that they need to change the whole approach to teaching Irish and just speak it and not bother with the books.
I didn't realise they weren't taught anymore. We were taught in primary school and I found it fascinating the words and the imagery. It's very powerful the words and the meaning. Definitely should be taught our beautiful anthem not just the chorus.
Yep, for once I’ve no issue with this policy from Leo
No, it's just another way to alienate special needs kids at mainstream schools, who will just find it too hard to learn.
Love the anthem at Lansdowne before an Ireland match . Coybig 🇮🇪
Don’t want my kids singing about screeching guns and flying bullets go raibh maith agar
Should they be taught what the words mean and then when deemed old enough decide if it reflects being Irish?
Ah, he's been over with Trump. The kids will probably have to swear allegiance to the Tricolour next.
Yes, we need to be more patriotic
Yes definitely
If they’re not teaching it now then that’s an utter disgrace. The Tricolor should also be flying high on all our schools and colleges. We’re supposed to be “Irish and Proud”
Of course they should! When did it stop being taught........and why!
Are they not? Probably showing my age now 😁😁😁
Maybe not in King's Hospital but everywhere else
Who removed it from the curriculum to start with?
Maybe teach all Irish rugby players the words. Might instill some passion into them!!!
This is the Journal just kicking the anti Gaeilge angle again. Unbelievable gutter journalism. Our very own red top rag only online...
Surprised he's doesn't want to include Oirelands Bawl...
Yes definitely, I was educated by the sisters of charity, they never taught it !!
Ar ndóigh
It's a dreadful dirge, the lyric is an incitement to violence and it should be replaced
I assumed it was!
Without question. Surprised there not. We were all thought in school.
Yes
Why not!? Sounds perfecly reasonable
Are they not already...?
Distraction. Distraction. Distraction. Distraction. Distraction. Distraction. Housing crisis. Distraction. Distraction. Distraction. Distraction. What housing crisis?
I remember not being left out for PE unless we learned this properly in 4th class back in 1994. Never knew they stopped teaching it. Surprised he didn't mean Ireland's Call.
Old news
Fuck nationalism
No, I hate it: 'We are Fianna Fáil'. Not me, not in my name, etc. Change the anthem, and leave the kids alone. (Now, there's an idea for an anthem).
I thought it was
They are surely to god
Yes they should keep our traditions and heritage we are Irish
I am shocked they are not already!
Yes. Only bit of Irish we’ll ever use, rather than wasting time learning Sraith Pictures and poems
Yes every child in every school and for once I agree with the tooth fairy 🕺
But removes history from the curriculum. Hmmm.
Of course they should? Everyone should know the national anthem
We were never taught the words to it never knew why and it was a big CBS school in Dub city
Teach them how to sing would be preferable
Yes they should, as pride in their country.
What about the rugby heads? Won’t play it at Ireland’s away games,a disgrace
Do they not already? My son knows it, in Irish only, for at least the last 4 years
The first thing they should be taught at school!!!! No matter what country you are in! Second... the constitution!
In school in the early -mid 90’s we had to learn it and it was sung every Friday at the of school. Still remember the words to this day
Why?
We always were !
Obviously
I learned it in school and although I don’t speak Gaeilge I can still sing the national anthem ☘️🇮🇪🍀
Shows how disconnected Varadkar is from normal life.
When did they stop teaching it ?
Off course it should and Ireland's should be consigned to the bin.