Mr. Conal Kearney:

I thank the Chairman and members for allowing me, a grandson of Peadar Kearney, to speak today on Peadar Kearney, the author of the "The Soldier's Song", "Amhrán na bhFiann". My grandfather was a visionary and revolutionary who fought in Jacob's factory in 1916 under Commandant Thomas MacDonagh. He was a member of the Supreme Council of the IRB and the Irish Gaelic League. I have an affidavit he wrote in August 1926, which will be placed on the record, in which he outlined when the wrote the words of "The Soldier's Song", which was late 1910 and not 1907 as is widely believed. This is a primary document which can be inspected. Please allow me, as a grandson of Peadar Kearney, to indulge in my thoughts.

Our identity as a nation and as citizens of the Irish State is defined by our history. "The Soldier's Song", "Amhrán na bhFiann", links us to our history and therefore our identity. There are stand-out moments in our distant and recent history that strengthen our bond to "The Soldier's Song", "Amhrán na bhFiann", when it is played and sung. It was sung by the volunteers as they marched into the GPO on Easter Monday of 1916 when Pearse proclaimed a free and independent Ireland. It was played at all gatherings, including sporting occasions, in cinemas and even at dances. We knew the dance was over when we stood to attention at the end. We are also reminded of more formal and State occasions when it is played. My personal proud moment was in Croke Park when it was the venue for the international rugby match between Ireland and England in 2007. There was a degree of nervousness and anticipation as to how the spectators would react when "God Save the Queen" was played in this hallowed place. Those spectators stood silent and respectful and when "Amhrán na bhFiann" was played, 82,000 of them sang it loudly and proudly. It was an electrifying moment. As the camera panned the faces of the Irish rugby players, tears flowed freely down some of their faces.

I am also reminded of the first State visit of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, when she bowed and stood in respect in the Garden of Remembrance as "Amhrán na bhFiann" was played, saluting all those who died for the cause of Irish freedom.

These were moments when, in my opinion, when we, as a nation, came of age and that enshrine "Amhrán na bhFiann" as part of our identity as proud Irish citizens. I will read a paragraph from the affidavit signed by my grandfather and written in 1926:

I wrote [The Soldier's Song] early in 1910 or late in 1909. Working on the words Paddy Heeney (died 1911) composed the melody or music now being played as the National Anthem. Obviously it was the words and what they stood for that appealed to the rapidly growing mass of people as the national movement developed. It was a common thing to hear the song sung through the country years before the melody was published and when singers hadn't the slightest idea of the music.

In the train of the words the music spread and so became what we all know. Melody and words were essential to each other. Separate they would have ceased to exist years ago.

I believe both the English and Irish versions of "Amhrán na bhFiann", "The Soldier's Song", must be given the respect, dignity and protection they so rightfully deserves. I am also reminded of the French title for "La Marseillaise", their national anthem, is "l'Hymne National". "Amhrán na bhFiann", "The Soldier's Song" is our hymn and must be legally protected for our future generations.

I have a manuscript in which my grandfather, in his elegant hand, wrote another verse to "The Soldier's Song" while interned in Ballykinlar internment camp in 1921. The verse reads:

In valley green, on towering crag,

Our fathers fought before us,

And conquered 'neath the same old flag

That's proudly floating o'er us.

We're children of a fighting race,

That never yet has known disgrace,

And as we march, the foe to face,

We'll chant a soldier's song.Signed - Peadar Ó Cearnaigh, Ballykinlar, November 1921.

Go raibh maith agaibh.