LEARNING the Irish National Anthem is no easy task – particularly if you have grown up outside of Ireland.
Generations of Irishmen and women have heard the familiar notes of Amhrán na bhFiann for their whole lives, yet still struggle when it comes to stringing the words together.
The entire song is, of course, composed in the Irish language.
It may seem daunting to the widespread Irish Diaspora across the world who have never learned Irish – but learning it phonetically can take the stress out of it.
Coventry-born Armagh resident Liam O’Sullivan, whose parents hailed from Co. Mayo, has made it his personal mission to make Amhrán na bhFiann available to every man, woman and child who wants to learn it.
On his books already is former Republic of Ireland soccer manager Mick McCarthy – who grew up in Barnsley with an Irish father.
And Mr O’Sullivan, who runs the website A Few Bars, can help you too, by breaking it down into easy-to-learn phonetic English.
Have a go at reading (or singing) it below...
Amhrán na bhFiann
Sinne Fianna Fáil - Sheena Feena Fall
atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn - Ataw fwee yall ag eireann
Buíon dár slua - Bween daw sloo-uh
thar toinn do ráinig chughainn - Harteen duh rawnig hoo-un
Faoi mhóid bheith saor - Fay vorge vess air
Seantír ár sinsear feasta - Shantir ar shinsha farsta
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill - Nee ogfur fen teer-on na fen trarl
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil - a-knocked a heem-sa varna weel
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil - lay gan a gwale cun vosh no sale
Le gunna scréach - lay gunny skrake
faoi lámhach na bpiléar - fwee larvach na bilear
Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann – sha- liv connig our-ron na veen
And after learning it, why not join in for the real thing...
See More: Amhrán Na Bhfiann, Featured, Irish National Anthem
