'People still think it's a load of rubbish... That's fair enough' says writer of Ireland's Call
The man who wrote 'Ireland's Call' has said he expected some of the backlash to the anthem when he wrote it.
Phil Coutler wrote the song for the IRFU in 1995 to include its Ulster unionist members, and has since been adopted by Ireland's hockey and cricket teams as well.
Coulter told the Pat Kenny show on Newstalk that he still gets hate mail over the song.
"People still think it's a load of rubbish, piece of shit. That's fair enough," Coulter quipped.
He added: "They [the IRFU] asked me if I could come up with a sporting anthem.
"This was in an era of all-inclusiveness. Hands across the border and all that.
"So it was to be a song that would be comfortably sung by players and supporters be they from the North or the South."
Coulter said he knew the song would not be an immediate success.
"Generally speaking, they [the IRFU] adopted it, but I said you have to be prepared for the fact, there's going to be opposition to this.
"People do not like to be told what to sing. And they're happily singing Molly Malone for all of these years.
"You can't beat people over the head and say you will sing this song.
"And it took a long time before it was accepted."
Coulter added: "I was never going to get a Pulitzer award for the lyrics on Ireland's Call.
He said when writing it, he didn't want to "trample on the sensibilities of our Northern friends."
"The key into that was the four proud provinces. Once I got that I thought that was my way in."
"It had a job to do. It had to be easily remembered, easily sung."
Coulter said he still gets "a kick" when he hears crowds singing the anthem.
