Madam, – Frank McNally’s story (An Irishman’s Diary, June 4th) about the congregation at an Anglican church in Dublin singing the “national anthem” for the last time reminds me that at the start of the second World War, the congregation at the Anglican church in Howth asked the rector, Canon Armstrong, to play the “National Anthem” at the end of service each Sunday.
The following Sunday the organist struck up Amhrán na bhFiann. The good parishioners were outraged and demanded an explanation from the rector. He replied he had been asked to play the national anthem and had the “national anthem of this country” played. Many of his flock betook themselves to the next parish and did not return for many years.
Canon Armstrong had strong left-wing views and was known at one time as the Red Rector. – Yours, etc,