Out of this world rendition of Danny Boy marks St Patrick’s Day in space

International Space Station commander records song ‘for the Irish everywhere’

Commander Chris Hadfield tweeted a photo of himself wearing green for St Patrick’s Day from space today. Photograph: @Cmdr_Hadfield
Commander Chris Hadfield tweeted a photo of himself wearing green for St Patrick’s Day from space today. Photograph: @Cmdr_Hadfield

In space no one can hear you scream, but they can certainly hear you sing an Irish song for the day that is in it.

Commander Chris Hadfield further endeared himself with Irish people everywhere by broadcasting from the International Space Station his version of Danny Boy to mark St Patrick's Day.

The prolific tweeter posted his two minutes 56 seconds version of the timeless Irish classic this morning and prefaced it by saying: “From high above the world to the Irish everywhere. Happy St Patrick's Day”.

He then tweeted: “Danny Boy strikes home with me, now more than ever. I've recorded a version for today in orbit. Hope you like it.”

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He posted a picture of himself wearing green on board the ISS which passed over Ireland this morning. He also took a picture of Tralee.

Comdr Hadfield first came to the attention of Irish people when he snapped a night-time photograph of Dublin with the words as gaeilge: “Tá Éire fíorálainn! Land of green hills dark beer. With Dublin glowing in the Irish night.”

It is not the first Irish song that he recorded in space. Last month he collaborated with The Chieftains on the Van Morrison classic Moondance. The Chieftains were performing in Houston, Texas at the time.

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times