The Fields of Athenry

The Fields of Athenry [ æθənraɪ ] is a song about the Irish famine 1846-1849, from the inhabitants of the town of Athenry were affected.

The song, which was written in the 1970s by the Irish Pete St. John and recorded by Irish singer Paddy Reilly, among other things, tells of a man who, to save his family from starvation, grain and steals it to Australia ( Botany Bay ) is deported. Sadness, pride, desire, home - all this is reflected in the moving lines of this song. Cover versions of the song were recorded, among others, by the Dubliners and the Dropkick Murphys and many other artists.

Use in sport

It is also implicated in several Irish and British rugby and football teams in compound whose fans sing during each of the Games. These include, among others, the Irish soccer and rugby team, Munster Rugby, London Irish and Celtic Glasgow. A modification, Fields of Anfield, the fans sing the traditional English club Liverpool FC.

The song gained attention when it was sung by the Irish fans during the game against Ireland Spain the Euro 2012 football championship. With the score of 0:4 in the 87th minute - the resignation of the Irish national team would be a defeat in this game safe after two of three games of the first round - the song sounded in the stadium and also held after the final whistle to. Meanwhile renounced the Spanish fans largely on a grain enhancement of their team, as well as silent several TV presenters, among others, the ARD commentator Tom Bartels. End of June 2012, the Irish fans were honored for their behavior during this European Championship by a special award of UEFA.

Use in feature films

• The journalist
• The priest
• The Dead Poets Society. This is a movie mistake, since the film in 1959 playing, years before the text to the song originated.
• Desolation - 16 Years of Alcohol
• Not excluded Marriage