Mareena's 'Pick of the Week'

29. Patriot Game by The Clancy Brothers - Greatest Irish Hits (1995)

Dominic Behan

Why did I choose this song? The Patriot Game is an Irish ballad written by Dominic Behan (1928-1989) - the brother of Irish novelist and playwright, Brendan Behan and a member of a literary family. His maternal uncle, Peadar Kearney, wrote the English lyrics to The Soldiers' Song in 1907 - The Soldiers' Song (Amhrán na bhFiann in Irish) is now the Irish National Anthem.

Fergal O'Hanlon

Sean South

The Patriot Game is the story of Fergal O'Hanlon (1936-1957) who at age 20, was killed along with Sean South in an attack on a Royal Ulster Constabulary (R. U. C.) barracks in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh during the Border Campaign of 1956-1962.