Guardian Weekly

Football celebration puts IRA chant in the spotlight

Achant with five syllables, dating from the 1980s, has roared back to divide Ireland, anger British politicians and subvert history: ooh, ah, up the ’Ra.

The chorus of Celtic Symphony, a song by the folk group the Wolfe Tones, celebrates the IRA with a catchy, upbeat rhythm. For years it has been belted out in pubs and sporting clubs across Ireland, but usually in semi-private, away from the limelight.

That changed on 11 October when members of the Ireland women’s

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Guardian Weekly

Guardian Weekly5 min read
Diversions
Thomas Eaton 1 Rebecca Andrews was the first recorded victim of what in 1665? 2 What drink is Jinro, the world’s bestselling spirit brand? 3 What payment to authors is capped at £6,600? 4 What is the highest peak in Northern Ireland? 5 Which cetacean
Guardian Weekly3 min read
Russia ‘Is Waging An Energy War’ Against Kyiv
A dramatic rise in European energy prices is inevitable if the Russian destruction of Ukrainian energy infrastructure continues unabated, the former chief executive of Ukraine’s state-owned oil company has warned. Andriy Kobolyev, a former head of Na
Guardian Weekly3 min read
Taxing Times Non-doms May Flee Over Labour Plans
‘People are jumping on planes right now and leaving,” said Nimesh Shah, the chief executive of Blick Rothenberg, an accountancy firm that specialises in advising very rich “non-doms” on their tax. Shah said his clients were “petrified” of plans to ab

Related Books & Audiobooks