Yesterday afternoon we published a piece suggesting that perhaps organising mass online recordings of Ireland's Call was perhaps not the best way to inspire and honour the incredible frontline staff working day and night to contain the spread of the coronvirus and treat those who have been infected by the virus.
A government initiative in development wants people to sing 'Ireland's Call' on video on Easter for medical workers.
Sometimes you just need to shout stop.https://t.co/2HCrKhPKWe— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 3, 2020
The conventional wisdom of most plain folk in Ireland is that our government has performed laudably in this difficult moment. They seem to be communicating honestly and with maturity and calmness. As such, they've earned the good will of the vast majority of Irish people. People are staying indoors.
So it would be an extreme pity of the government chose to flush it all down the jacks by going all in on 'Ireland's Call'.
At a press event today centred on how the creative community might help Ireland cope with Covid-19, Tania Banotti, head of Creative Ireland, said the organisation Sing Ireland is planning to organise an 'online initiative' where people can submit recordings of Ireland's Call to inspire Ireland's frontline medical workers.
Now, needless to say, Ireland's rugby anthem, penned by Phil Coulter ahead of the 1995 World Cup, has always jarred in certain ways. Not even that popular among most of the rugby fraternity, most of the country see any widening of it's airplay as an afront to their culture.
Nevertheless, we didn't expect the sheer volume and feeling in the reaction to this story. If the reaction in social media is anything to go, this may actually be the worst idea in the history of government.
By far the most fitting repsonse was from Elisha, an ICU nurse the idea was meant to inspire.
ICU nurse here: do not sing that shite for me or I will quit my job 👍
— Elisha Ní Ghrádaigh (@eojeepers97) April 3, 2020
Beyond that, we would say the reaction has been 100% negative and quite emotionally charged.
Or fuck off https://t.co/PgdgU8OWeZ
— Mark kernan (@mark_kernan) April 4, 2020
Exactly. A marketeers anthem. Load of shite!!
— Mike Murphy (@murphman52) April 4, 2020
What utter shite? Just give them proper equipment to do there job, Ireland's call me hole
— Leo Martin (@stpatsno7) April 4, 2020
Just stop and think for a change !
Stop !— Martin Aherne (@MartinAherne4) April 4, 2020
Not only did this make my stomach turn but I think it gave me the runs too. Pure garbage. 🤮🤮🤮 https://t.co/Xu5joWafTm
— Acafdub🏴☠️ (@aileangafraidh) April 4, 2020
No no no no no fuck no https://t.co/Bw1eIBToKx
— Ian Power💣 (@bombspower) April 4, 2020
Haven’t they been through enough?
— Chris (@Cwfp2) April 4, 2020
We don’t need to sing anything.. we just need to stay at home and stay safe.. that’s all our Nurses and Doctors want us to do for them. #staysafestayhome #COVID19ireland #fgspin https://t.co/TKqWHuy7jX
— Dec Brennan (@DecB1) April 4, 2020
Maybe they could worry about the standard of the medical equipment none of us need question or enquire about, rather than morally bankrupt photo ops and political stunts.
Surely they could put it to one side and just do their jobs? Maybe successfully for once?— Finnleikr / MacBethad (@Artugal3) April 4, 2020
Nothing but respect for all health/medical workers but this "government initiative" can get so far to fuck....... https://t.co/g3IqfVoG03
— Alan mc (@AlanMcN88) April 4, 2020
No matter how bad things are, Ireland's call is never, and I mean never, the answer. https://t.co/PwB5GAz0oQ
— Dylan Ó Murchú (@DylanMurphyy21) April 4, 2020
I'm staying in bed on Easter if they sing that shite
— smokie (@smokie87787574) April 4, 2020
"Leo's Call"
Thought up by a Public Relations guru, no doubt. https://t.co/ZoAEs6b5Ax— Danny Morrison (@molloy1916) April 3, 2020
And that's just a taste of what's happening on our Twitter page. Our Facebook and Instagram pages are lots more of the same, and worse. You can imagine.
It's fair to say Ireland's Call might not be the answer right now.
