History was made on December 5 when "Amhrán na bhFiann" ("The Soldier's Song"), the Irish national anthem, was played in Belfast's Windsor Park for the first time ever.
The Irish national anthem was played ahead of the Ireland Women’s National Team's match against Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.
A clip from the historic moment shared on X by RTÉ Sport showed the Irish national team singing along to the anthem enthusiastically:
Amhrán na bhFiann rings out at Windsor Park ahead of Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 5, 2023
📺Watch https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7…
📻Listen https://t.co/6cFzxLzMuv
📱Follow https://t.co/o50miqVjZw pic.twitter.com/QZ8faPDZUa
Some people noted on social media on Tuesday that the Irish anthem was "respectfully" observed in Belfast. The British anthem, "God Save the King," was played afterward.
Tuesday's match, which saw Ireland comfortably win over Northern Ireland 6-1, was the 31st official game between the two teams.
Despite both the men’s and women’s sides of these two nations having met many times, the Irish anthem "Amhrán na bhFiann" has never been played at the Belfast venue.
Extra.ie noted that Tuesday's match was "remarkably" the first meeting between the two sides at Windsor Park in Belfast "since Alan McLaughlin’s famous goal in the 1-1 [draw] that sent Ireland to the World Cup in November 1993."
"Amhran na bhFiann" was not played during that match, nor was it played when the Republic of Ireland senior men's team visited Windsor Park for a Euro 1996 qualifier in November 1994, BBC reported on Tuesday.
In September, "God Save the King" was played at Dublin's Aviva Stadium before the Republic's win over Northern Ireland.
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