Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Rugby Union - RBS 6 Nations Championship 2007 - Ireland v England - Croke Park. David Davies via PA Images

Opinion 'Our indifference to our flag and anthem is actually healthy'

Placing legislative restrictions on how our anthem is used would be an unnecessary limitation on our freedom of expression, writes Caoimhín De Barra.

RECENTLY, THE SEANAD Public Consultation Committee announced that they are looking for the public’s views on whether the Irish State should take steps to protect Amhrán na bhFiann.

The copyright to the song expired in 2012, and some members of the Seanad feel that the anthem could be misused unless protective legislation is introduced.

As each country has a national anthem and national flag, we rarely pause to stop and think why it is normal for every State to adopt them, and more interestingly, why many are so insistent that they are shown proper respect and dignity.

Nationalism is modelled on religion

It is amazing that things like a flag or a national anthem could provoke such emotional responses within people, but perhaps not surprising. When revolutionaries in France in the eighteenth century wanted to win widespread support for their ideas, they looked to Christianity for lessons on how to indoctrinate the masses.

They replaced crosses with flags, prayers with anthems, and church holidays with national holidays. Nationalism doesn’t just resemble religion in its use of symbols, it is directly modelled on it.

The outrage in recent weeks over the decision of some NFL players to kneel during the American national anthem is proof of this, with denunciations of the players’ actions approaching something of a religious fervour. The same could be said about the year-long series of street protests by loyalists in 2013, angry at the decision of Belfast City Council to limit the number of days the Union flag flies above Belfast City Hall.

Fanaticism is rare

In the twenty-six counties, however, such fanaticism about our national anthem or flag is rare indeed. The origins for such relative disinterest can be traced back to the Troubles, when overt displays of nationalist sentiment were suspected of condoning, if not encouraging, the carnage that unfolded in Northern Ireland.

Indeed, considerable angst emerged about the role Irish history played in causing the Troubles, with many believing that the memory those who fought for Irish freedom from 1916 to 1921 had sparked the Ulster conflict. Along similar lines, Will Hutton recently argued in the Irish Times that the Spanish constitutional crisis has been created by Catalan nationalists who refuse to forget historical grievances against Spain.

Frankly, such analyses are backwards. The crises in Northern Ireland in 1969 and Spain in 2017 didn’t erupt because nationalists suddenly remembered their history lessons. Rather, both groups sought to legitimise their actions against contemporary problems by linking them to the past. The Provisional IRA certainly claimed to be the spiritual heirs of Patrick Pearse and Michael Collins, but doesn’t mean that it was their legacy that led the Provos to violence in the first place.

At any rate, one of the consequences of the Troubles is that there are still mixed attitudes about how we should behave in relation to our flag and anthem. For a start, it is only recommended, not required, that primary school children be taught the national anthem. Like many Irish citizens, I never learned the national anthem in school. It was only when I left school and decided to learn it for myself that I wondered why I hadn’t been taught it.

We don’t behave properly

We also don’t behave properly when the national anthem is played. At least according to protocols released by the Department of the Taoiseach in the lead-up to the 1916 commemorations. Apparently, “when the National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, is played in the presence of the National Flag, all present should face the National Flag, stand to attention and salute it, remaining at the salute until the last note of the music.”

I don’t think I have ever seen anyone salute the flag during Amhrán na bhFiann. Certainly, nobody is standing to attention until the last note of music, given that we have effectively replaced the last line of the song with collective freestyle screaming and roaring.

We don’t do much better when it comes to respecting the flag. Those Department of the Taoiseach protocols say that: “The National Flag should never be defaced by placing slogans, logos, lettering or pictures of any kind on it, for example at sporting events. The National Flag should not be draped on cars, trains, boats or other modes of transport.”

All of that went out the window at Euro 2016. As Ger Keville pointed out in the Independent, the Irish tri-colour was decorated with, among other things, Clinton Morrison’s bare arse, pictures of convicted drug smugglers, sexual innuendo, an endless supply of Father Ted quotes, and a series of penis jokes.

For comparison, I googled “USA fans World Cup” and looked at pictures from past tournaments. Of the hundreds of images I saw, not one contained an American flag with any writing on it. This was not surprising. No American supporter would dare do something like that to their flag, aware of the backlash they would receive.

Our indifference to our flag and anthem is healthy

However, on balance, I think our relative indifference to our flag and anthem is actually healthy. Demanding an unquestioned reverence for a piece of cloth and a song isn’t just irrational, it is potentially divisive. Just look at the tension generated in the United States from a few guys playing sports adopting the “wrong” body position while someone sings a song before the game.

The national anthem and flag represent us as a nation, but that also means that these things belong to us all equally as citizens of that nation. In a democratic society, we should be free to use these as we see fit without fear of “offending” someone, which brings us back to the Seanad announcement.

The copyright for Amhrán na bhFiann lapsed five years ago, but so far, no disaster has befallen us. Indeed, most national anthems are in the public domain. Many States rely, in the words of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, “on public opinion to police what is appropriate usage of them.”

It is our anthem, collectively and individually. Placing legislative restrictions on how it is used would be an unnecessary limitation on our freedom of expression.

Caoimhín De Barra is Assistant Professor for Irish History and Culture at Drew University, New Jersey.

Male abuse victims: ‘It is easier to believe that men are Harvey Weinsteins’>

Gucci: ‘Animal fur isn’t “modern”. Wearing fur belongs in the Stone Age’>

Voices

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
82 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PF
    Favourite PF
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:33 PM

    Wot, no social distancing or masks in Ballina. New virus hotspot on way!

    397
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:38 PM

    @PF: have a glass of wine or something

    102
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 8:00 PM

    @PF: ya spelt Ballina wrong mate

    24
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PF
    Favourite PF
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 9:12 PM

    @Damo: baa, baaa, baaaah. Arf!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Evans
    Favourite Kerry Evans
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 9:58 PM

    @Damo:
    Trumpbabycages SS
    Wannabes
    Are not good at spelling..

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tina Kelly
    Favourite Tina Kelly
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 11:38 PM

    @PF: There was. Photographers and camera personnel asked those getting photos taken to remove masks as they were taken.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dstaffx
    Favourite dstaffx
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:33 PM

    Looks like there’s no worry about pandemic in Ballina, by that photo

    281
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mickety Dee
    Favourite Mickety Dee
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:44 PM

    @dstaffx: They are clearly drinking a vaccine

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JimmyMc
    Favourite JimmyMc
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 9:39 PM

    @dstaffx: guess where one of the nursing homes the HSE were called into to assist with an outbreak last week is located.

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute muirhill121
    Favourite muirhill121
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 8:06 PM

    Oh please can we not have another “Ronald Reagan” pub in Ballyporeen or “Barrack Obama” filling station in Offaly. It’s too embarrassing when we make a celebrity out of some fourth or fourteenth cousin of the US President. Let’s be happy he won but not turn ii into a Darby O’Gilll sequel!

    306
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Victoria
    Favourite Victoria
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 9:49 PM

    @muirhill121: oh thank god you said it, i am cringing!

    113
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Hyland
    Favourite Mick Hyland
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 10:56 PM

    @muirhill121: No shortage of pubs in Ballina

    18
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mojo
    Favourite Mojo
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 12:03 AM

    @Victoria: why ? Would you not be proud of it,?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Quill
    Favourite John Quill
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 7:35 AM

    @muirhill121: it’s cringeworthy…we should be beyond that at this stage .

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Litterus
    Favourite Mike Litterus
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:18 PM

    Chaps a fossil

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute johnny onion eye
    Favourite johnny onion eye
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:28 PM

    @Mike Litterus: I’d say you couldn’t find your own name without an instruction manual. Your probably more of a Mike Hunt anyway

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Clinton
    Favourite Michael Clinton
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:29 PM

    @Mike Litterus:
    A mentally stable fossil.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seosamh
    Favourite Seosamh
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:13 PM

    Welcome to Ireland Joe!!!

    118
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Virus-free Turkey
    Favourite Virus-free Turkey
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 9:14 PM

    Spent a while looking at a blow-up of the photo from Ballina. Very sad. Kids standing watching a grown man swigging booze out if a bottle on the street. Like something out of the 1950s

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry Corry
    Favourite Harry Corry
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 9:49 PM

    @Virus-free Turkey: quiet evening?

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute There is no hope for humanity!
    Favourite There is no hope for humanity!
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:19 PM

    Lots people think it’s good news, I understand
    But just don’t forget one thing, still over two months away from the new president, in this period, that country has the strongest military, 10 aircraft fleets, near 400 military bases around the world, over 6k nukes and a unpredictable president
    If there is a big war happening… or accident war happens … what will be?
    Also Biden, tell your people stay away and keep social distance please, ive seen people packed together and celebrating your victory, ffs, the covid is not gone yet, you will need fix that problem and it’s the biggest challenge when you are in power

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Kev in Kevlar
    Favourite The Kev in Kevlar
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:24 PM

    @There is no hope for humanity!: yup. Your name says it all. Are you ALWAYS this pessimistic?? You must be some craic at a party. You HONESTLY think that this’ll kick of ww3? Get a grip….and and stop watching YouTube.

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seosamh
    Favourite Seosamh
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:28 PM

    @There is no hope for humanity!: Trump does’nt pull the strings, any so called war would have to go through congress, you’ll even see Republican senators, aides etc. Distancing themselves from Trump now.

    41
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute There is no hope for humanity!
    Favourite There is no hope for humanity!
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:43 PM

    @The Kev in Kevlar: all I meant is still two months away, anything could happens, hope the best, Prepare for the worst
    The WW 3 might not, I don’t want to see they have civil war as well, that is worried me lots
    Specially trump, he is way too unpredictable, god knows what’s going to happen

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Dublin
    Favourite John Dublin
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 9:26 PM

    The Mayo Blewitts are well known. The Blewitt in 89, 96, 97, 04, 06, 12, 13, 16 and 17.

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Rothwell
    Favourite Alan Rothwell
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 11:59 PM

    @John Dublin: *THEY

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Lambe
    Favourite Darren Lambe
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:36 PM

    Joe Blewit be living off this for the rest of his days

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billy Davies
    Favourite Billy Davies
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:54 PM

    @Darren Lambe: Heard he’s done plenty of leaky business for the Ukrainians.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Kev in Kevlar
    Favourite The Kev in Kevlar
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:20 PM

    Congrats to Joe, comiserations to Donald. Irrespective of your political views,left, right, mid WHATEVER…accept it…GGs to all and hopefully everyone will be okay, and move forward.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Hyland
    Favourite Mick Hyland
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 10:57 PM

    @The Kev in Kevlar: Tell that to Trump

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute larry duff
    Favourite larry duff
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:37 PM

    Jumping on the bandwagon

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Devine
    Favourite Mark Devine
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 10:04 PM

    I can see it now.. another cringey plaza only this time the Joe Biden Plaza.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Finnster
    Favourite Finnster
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:58 PM

    Mayo for Uncle Sam

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alex Marquis
    Favourite Alex Marquis
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:12 AM

    @Finnster: yep. As well as the other Sam next month.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom kenny
    Favourite Tom kenny
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 3:32 AM

    @Alex Marquis: keep dreaming

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The God Of All Nerds
    Favourite The God Of All Nerds
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:57 PM

    They’re delighted they’re getting a motorway plaza

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute muirhill121
    Favourite muirhill121
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 8:06 PM

    Oh please can we not have another “Ronald Reagan” pub in Ballyporeen or “Barrack Obama” filling station in Offaly. It’s too embarrassing when we make a celebrity out of some fourth or fourteenth cousin of the US President. Let’s be happy he won but not turn ii into a Darby O’Gill sequel!

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The God Of All Nerds
    Favourite The God Of All Nerds
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:21 AM

    @muirhill121: you call it cringe but the people living in those villages call it tourism, jobs and improved income.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:40 PM

    @Darren Lambe: the new Moneygall

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brendan o connell
    Favourite brendan o connell
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 11:23 PM

    Oh begosh and begorragh tis a great day for the oirish, tis indeed …..tis to be sure.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rory Mackle
    Favourite Rory Mackle
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 8:10 PM

    Wonder where his great great great great great grandparents where from.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Em Gee
    Favourite Em Gee
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 9:18 PM

    @Rory Mackle: England

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Sweeney
    Favourite Declan Sweeney
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 12:45 AM

    @Rory Mackle:

    Knockmore outside Ballina

    4
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bert Carolan
    Favourite Bert Carolan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:28 AM

    @Declan Sweeney: Good man Declan. Great year for Knockmore pandemic aside.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Mcnevin
    Favourite Paul Mcnevin
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 8:09 PM

    Ballina Plaaaaza, sounds about right.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Maher
    Favourite Michael Maher
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 11:31 PM

    Bull..it of the highest order.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bert Carolan
    Favourite Bert Carolan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 12:24 AM

    Ah come on everyone. There hasn’t been a lot to be happy about in Ballina in 2020 no more than any other town in Ireland and of course it’s pure shlock but what the hell. Biden was in Ballina/Knockmore in 2017 and really seemed to enjoy himself. Just pass over the story if it bothers you so much.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aine O Connor
    Favourite Aine O Connor
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:03 AM

    Wexford has made an industry from their connections with the President JF Kennedy. There is the 400 acre Kennedy Memorial Park, the Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown ,, The Magnificent Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, the Statue of JFK on Quays in New Ross ,with the Emigrant flame and the Dunbrody Famine Ship nearby. It was JFK’s Great Great Great Grandfather Patrick Kennedy who emigrated to America in 1849, he married Bridget Murphy ,a local girl from the same area who followed him to Boston. They had 5 Children. After only 10 years Patrick Kennedy died at the age of 35 so it was his wife Bridget who was left to bring up the children , it was her hard work and effort that ensured the children prospered in life. The Bridge should have been named in her honour not Rose In my opinion.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan O'Donoghue
    Favourite Brendan O'Donoghue
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 10:44 AM

    @Aine O Connor: Joe Biden’s mother was a Finnegan, her grandfather was born in Lordship Co. Louth 1820, not GGG grandparents, grandfather, why should Ballina get all the publicity?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aine O Connor
    Favourite Aine O Connor
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 11:39 AM

    @Brendan O’Donoghue:
    Exactly my point , even though Bridget Murphy was born only a few miles from Patrick’s Kennedy’s home she is hardly ever mentioned and without her there would be no Kennedy’s.
    Same goes for the Finnegans.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Owen Ball
    Favourite Owen Ball
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 11:10 PM

    New service station for Ballina so

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan McDonagh
    Favourite Dan McDonagh
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 9:01 PM

    CUE THE BALLINA PLAZA

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Treacy
    Favourite Sean Treacy
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 11:27 PM

    Great to see Mayo finally win something

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chaunce Hayden
    Favourite Chaunce Hayden
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:41 PM

    I’m an American who lives in Ireland going on 3 years. I raised 500 euro for cancer while here. I’ve already done more for Ireland than Joe Biden has done in 50 years in politics.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chaunce Hayden
    Favourite Chaunce Hayden
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:35 PM

    President Trump built a golf course in Ireland and provided jobs and tourist dollars. Can anyone in Ireland tell me what Joe Biden did for Mayo the past 50 years he’s been in office? Anyone?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FlopFlipU
    Favourite FlopFlipU
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 7:43 PM

    Blewit you are a go use your influence for the good of the old sod

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christy Mc Carthy
    Favourite Christy Mc Carthy
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 12:06 AM

    Go EE s

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan Duggan
    Favourite Dan Duggan
    Report
    Nov 7th 2020, 11:02 PM

    Not good.no distance

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds