One of the national heroes would have to be that of, St. Patrick, Patron of Ireland. St. Patrick worked in a missionary in the 5th century. He played a crucial part of converting Ireland into the Christian faith.
There are many important dates on the Irish calendar. Many of which happen to be festivals. St. Brighad’s Feast (Feb. 1), May Eve, Festival of Lughnasa (Aug), and Halloween. Being that most of Ireland’s people are of Christian faith, all of the Christian holidays such as Christmas, Easter, St. John’s Night, and the Feast of St. Martin, are celebrated.
The Irish National Anthem-“The Soldier’s Song” or “Amhran na bhFiann,” – was written in 1907 by Peader Kearney, who together with Patrick Henney also composed the music. It was first published in 1912, and was formally adopted in 1926. It consists of three stanzas and a chorus, the text of which goes as follows:
Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
Some have come from a land beyond the wave,
Sworn to be free, no more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the bearna baol
In Erin’s cause come woe or weal
‘Mid cannon’s roar and rifles peal,
We’ll chant a Soldier’s song.19