Only time will tell if the deep lessons available to the Celtic hierarchy on this brief sojourn to the USA has been learned.
The United States of America has, in the round, been very good for the Irish.
The new country benefited from our bravery on the battlefield and gained our industrial muscle.
Unhindered by oppressive British rule the Irish in American rose to the very top in every field of human Endeavour.
To write a social history of this great country without mentioning the Irish would be historically illiterate.
Of course such a crime against historical accuracy is an ongoing situation in Celtic’s hometown.
The Irish in Glasgow remain largely invisible in the narrative of the city.
That is no innocent oversight.
If Celtic are going to be successful as a football club in the modern age then they have to be guided by shrewd business principles.
That means seeking out new markets for existing products.
Last week end Peter Lawwell rubbed shoulders with utterly committed Celtic supporters in Philly who have MBAs and run companies with turnovers greater than Celtic.
If people at Kerrydale Street scratch their heads about how to “monetize” that heartfelt Irish American affection for Celtic Football club then there is an impressive cadre of stakeholders in this vast country to call upon.
There are teams across Europe who would kill to have that ethnic foothold in this massive sports market.
Many North American Celtic supporters are of Irish heritage, but others have been attracted by the unique narrative of the club.
I spoke to one Celtic employee on the way up to the pre match presser which also saw the launch of a soccer academy in Philadelphia.
I said to him that Celtic owning the Famine as the singular historical event which created the club was both historically accurate and the key to the door of Irish America.
That is a potential market of 70 million people
Personally speaking the most significant event of the whole amazing week end was the ceremony of remembrance at the Irish famine memorial.
The club was officially represented by Anthony Stokes.
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory.php?item=2929
State Representative Kevin Boyle gave a straight from the heart speech about Celtic and the Irish in Glasgow that you would never hear from an MSP.
Representative Boyle and I met at the pre match presser and it took us all of 30 seconds to work out that I had worked with his first cousin in Donegal.
His young Jewish chief of staff did not believe what he was hearing.
His look sort of said “Perhaps all the Irish were kinda related after all!”
I interviewed Kevin two days later and that will soon be uploaded to this site.
It was an honour to be asked to speak at the ceremony.
My message was a simple one.
I said that such an event could not, at present, take place in Glasgow and that is because there is no memorial to the famine in the city despite it being a major reception centre for that appalling humanitarian catastrophe.
I believe it will be a sign of modern Scotland’s growing maturity if, in 2017 when another anniversary of “Black Forty Seven” comes around, that Glasgow can , finally, can remember the victims and survivors of an Gorta Mor.
If Celtic Football Club give their support to the campaign to remember the Famine in an appropriate way in the public space of Glasgow city centre then Irish America will notice and applaud.
They have already given me space in the Celtic View to outline the need for a Famine memorial in Glasgow and for that they have my thanks.
The global gaeltacht needs a soccer team and Celtic can be that club if people in leadership positions at Parkhead fully acknowledge the centrality of the famine to the club’s origins.
Celtic has the opportunity to do the correct thing and reap the business benefits.
Last Friday in Philadelphia I believe we took a truly important step in that process.
Ipswich Bhoy
A thoughful, interesting and accurate blog Phil. Personally I think there is a famine menmorial in Glasgow, it’s called Celtic Football Club.
August 18, 2012 at 10:48 am
Robert McNamara
Interesting, i am of Irish descent (name is a giveaway)4 generations ago. I’m a passionate scotsman, who went to secondary school in London, went to primary school in glasgow, being from a communist family background therefore an atheist, my school in glasgow was non catholic and therefore deemed as a proddy school, i was the only celtic fan there, i was taught to respect all and bow to none. Scotland is a clasiic british empire (and previous empires)plaything to divide and conquer. (scotland never conqured, but divided)my english catholic friends co-exist with other english christians quite happily. Astonishinly , I have intelligent catholic friends who want the monarchy (but they aren’t allowed to marry into it).. The appalling famine should be recognised and taught, not by Irish catholics, but by all of mankind as it was indeed a human tragedy,(the story should ofcourse state by who and why) but I’m uncomfortable with the genocide being exploited for commercial reasons. I see Celtic as a scottish club with Irish roots…..HH
August 17, 2012 at 4:03 pm
miscuse miscuse
uch just exactly now ,just exactly
August 17, 2012 at 2:46 pm
redversbodkin
It is definitely C.P. 4 ME, end of, P.S. is it not “WONDERFUL” to see the former Great & Glorious Ones eh from GO “ho ho ho” VAN simply staggering all over the GOOD LORD’S GREEN EARTH, or is it bona SCOTLAND yi say, UCH IT DIS YUR HeRT GuiD TAE SEE poor wee Ally & HIS TRUE ‘N’ TRUSTY taught 2 B cautious side kicks getting their “clammy claw knuckles” slapped once again by their able bodied Brothers at Bigot Dome Central ,where Shug & Dug (& not forgetting Big Geo Peet) used tae ply their trade as honest REFEREES inat, AH HOPE wi see “real justice from the E.B.T SHENANIGANS” down with Sevco.Pawnco,Gypco, Crapco or what ever they caw’ themselves “the noo’
August 17, 2012 at 2:38 pm
tallybhoy
Over here in Italy, where I spend 8/9 months of the year, Celtic are always referred to as the ‘Catholic’ club by the written and broadcast media. The other lot are the ‘Protestant’ club.
I have never heard Celtic being called an Irish or Scots/Irish club.
Only on a very few occassions have I read articles which stated that Celtic were founded by an Irish-born Catholic cleric/educator.
As far as most Italians are concerned Celtic are a Scottish club – always have been and always will be.
HH!!
August 16, 2012 at 12:22 pm
redversbodkin
settle down bhoyz & keep it civil
August 16, 2012 at 5:54 am
SamBrowneBelt
Frankier
I suspect we agree on much and differ on little. However, I don’t think Celtic would claim (or ever have claimed?) to be an Irish club – someone more steeped in the history of the club can confirm, either way.
In my view, Celtic have always been a Scots/Irish club. They may not be Irish enough for some, or Scots enough for others, but they’re still Celtic and, like it or not, they have been a focal point for many of the Irish who have settled in Scotland. Celtic would never seek to appeal exclusively to the Irish “community” – they have been, and hopefully always will be, an inclusive club. This may mean that their “Irishness” is not always obvious, but it is woven into the fabric of the Club.
No matter the current custodians, the club’s roots can never change, nor will they be forgotten by the majority of supporters.
We face enough hostility without internal divisions.
And your suspicions are correct!
August 16, 2012 at 1:06 am
Míceál
Just for the record. In an interview with Jimmy Magee, Irish commentator, on DVD Celtic-The Irish connection, Billy McNeill states that Celtic is an Irish club based in scotland.Now that may not be an official statement from the club, but coming from our greatest ever captain, I think it carries a bit more weight than anything coming from any fuddie on our board.
To me and many more, it was, is, and always will be an Irish club. To others it’s a scottish club with Irish roots and I don’t have a problem with that, everyone is entitled to their views. However, Celtic was,is,and always will be an inclusive club and that is why we are unique and the best club in the world.
August 16, 2012 at 9:12 am
Dal
Some valid points regarding USA. What they subjected the people of Vietnam and Laos to was completely evil. Those countries are still polluted and littered with bombs to this day. We should be consistent in condemning war criminality.
August 15, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Frankier
Sam – I stand by what I said about Celtic being a plastic Irish club, although I do have to apologise to the material.
They are as genuinely Irish as McGillicuddy’s Pub in Inversnecky.
To answer your questions.
1. Yes, the Americans qualify for me.
2. No, to those in the Republic that stood by and watched all the persecution in the North and “didn’t really know what was going on” or, better still, claimed that “one side was as bad as the other”. They are as English as Jimmy Hill was.
3.Those who took office in Stormont? Definitely not. Anyone who would sit back and allow another party to talk to them through a third party are cowardly traitors in my book. Don’t even mention to me about shaking hands with an old reprobate who wouldn’t even have the manners take her gloves off. Anyway, G Adams blow dries his hair, that’s enough for me.
The Celtic I grew up supporting had a proud Irish heritage but not the mob who are using the Celtic name at the present time, the franchise. The heritage went when the shamrock on the breast grew another leaf.
Just try organising a supporters’ night out at Celtic Park and give a rendering of The Wild Rover and see how far you get. Irish my a”se.
By the way, I was born and bred in this country; brought up by Irish parents, as the song goes, and I am a REAL IRISHMAN.
I suspect you are one too Sam.
August 15, 2012 at 7:45 pm
john
Though wanting to see the best players and best team at Celtic i dont want an American influece at our club. America to me is the only country to have used nuclear weapons. Americahas dragged the world into illegal wars in Iraq and Afganistan, it wont stop there. America has its sights set on Iran and other countries who are not friends of Isreal.
America as a society is far more racist than Scotland. THe blacks, Mexicans and Native Americans etc are treated far worse there than Irish Scots are treated here.
America doesnt fit into my Celtic ethos.
August 15, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Bill
A very interesting article. Growing up in Glasgow attending Catholic Schools I only remember a few times when the famine was discussed and commemorated. I never noticed the lack of memorial and nobody seemed to be agitating for such. But, I am gaining awareness and agree it would be a suitable monument in the right location. As for Global fans; Celtic have many marketable qualities. Many boyhood Celtic fans now live overseas (I am down under). I think many relocated to escape from sectarianism, a scourge on our society. It wasn’t hunger that drove them away but the narrow mindedness of their neighbours. Maybe in some futuristic Glasgow there will be a monument to them as well.
August 15, 2012 at 1:08 pm
yogibhoy
good to see so many questioning/critical posts, as the site was becoming too much of a “love in ” for me. knowing everyone’s not a “brown noser ” will keep you on your toes, phil .
my tuppence worth , yes, there should be a memorial .yes, it should be for all victims .no , it should not be seen as a commercial move by the club.
HH.
August 15, 2012 at 8:36 am
john
Phil, there was no famine, it was the ‘The Great Hunger’ there was enough food produced and shipped out to avoid the many deaths that occurred. Therein lies the true story of the genocide that was vested on our race. Irish America need to know the truth and I would ask all the Celtic family to refer to this dreadful era as just that…..’The Great Hunger’
August 15, 2012 at 3:01 am
John P McAloon
Well done Phil forbpointing out to the Suits at CP the potential market they have in North America. (Can’t leave our Canadian cousins out.). Those of us living over here have been trying to do just that for well over a decade, but alas they appear to be fixated on the Far East. 70 million Americans of Irish decent, or roughly 14 times the population of Scotland, more than the population of UK, France or Germany. Get even 1 per cent of them supporting our Club and we would never need to sell a player to balance the books again. As for the Memorial in Philly, the phrase, “would bring a tear to a glass eye” springs to mind. It is very moving. Like Phil I would love to see one in the city of my birth. With all due respect to Carfin, it needs to be on the Broomalaw where so many of the famine victims stepped foot on Scottish soil. Reports at the time had many breaking down as they staggered ashore, some even dying on the docks. We should never forget that without them there quite simply would not be a Celtic for us to support.
August 14, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
Thanks John. The Broomielaw would get my vote. I envisage a sculpture similar to the one at Custom House Quay in Dublin
August 14, 2012 at 9:19 pm
JimBhoy
I feel a proper collection coming up here… My auld yins are from Co. Monaghan and were inhabitants of Flemington mid 19th century… perhaps P=McG should be the guy driving this, plenty of donations… Phil cost would be?
August 14, 2012 at 11:35 pm
SamBrowneBelt
Frankier, not sure why you’d call Celtic a “plastic Irish club”. I never like to get into a debate of who counts as being Irish and who doesn’t, but here goes.
For example, the millions in America who’ve never even been to Ireland, but who would describe themselves as Irish or Irish-American – would they qualify for you?
Or what about those in the Republic, who are quite happy to stand idly by and abandon those in “the North”, thereby dividing the island – can they count as being Irish?
Or even those who take up office in Stormont, that bastion of Britishness in the Six Counties, but who claim to be Irish – would they meet your criteria?
Celtic are not an Irish club; they are a Scottish club with a proud Irish heritage, and would never forget their humble beginnings. They are also an inclusive club, open to all. To describe them in the way you have is wholly unfair.
August 14, 2012 at 7:11 pm
NumbNuts
Unfortunately this reads like you are encouraging CFC to exploit the Famine for business value. If we are lacking a fitting memorial to commemorate loss and celebrate people [glasgow/scotland] helping others in their hour of need, then it should be driven with the correct motives, and i don’t think pursuit of the mighty dollar is one of them.
August 14, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Joe Paterson
Perhaps Im misreading this and apologies if thats the case, Id be more than just a wee bit anxious if Celtic FC or any others for that matter sought to use the Famine as a financial key to a door, any door whether its here in Scotland or wider afield in America, we should and we must always remember why the Club came into being but not at the risk of exploiting that for financial gain.
August 14, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Gary O
Much as I applaud efforts to pay tribute to those lost in the Famine I think it’s wholly inappropriate and crass to attempt to monetise their suffering for the benefit of a football team.
August 14, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Castaway
I just realised something else – the word “Hungers”. That could be dicey.
August 14, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Castaway
Maybe I was a little bit negative in an earlier post. But I think we have to face the fact that interest in Scottish football is on the wane world-wide. The big money, the big names, the big audiences are for the big leagues.
Celtic are bucking the trend to a large degree, drawing audiences whether live or on TV to compare with any of the big leagues. No stadium would hold the numbers if we were in one of the top leagues. But I don’t see that happening soon. If spending is linked to income it will surely be a different story, but when?.
I was a schoolboy on the “Lairds Isle” going Ardrossan to Belfast a lot of years ago, when I got talking to a lovely woman, a history teacher from Dublin. We got talking about An Gorta Mor. I heard from her for the first time about the Scottish famines of the same era, which in her words were worse than An Gorta.
I wonder whether, in honour of Celtic’s unique history and associations, you might consider the possibility of championing construction of a commemoration of both Celtic Hungers. It would be hard to see opposition to that. In addition, working together on such a project may help to close the gap in our sadly divided society.
August 14, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Frankier
Sorry, a wee error. That should read celebrated.
August 14, 2012 at 11:41 am
Frankier
In the Italian Memorial Garden beside St Andrew’s cathedral there is plenty of space for a tribute to the victims of the Irish Famine. In that way the cultures of two nations who have contributed so much to Scottish society could be clebrated and honoured.
August 14, 2012 at 11:40 am
Rod
I am all for a memorial in the city of my birth, but were would one put it without it being vandalised or have a traffic cone stuck on it. In Brixham harbour in Devon there is a statue to william of orange and very summer the local council spend thousands cleaning paint from it, nothing to do with me I must add. Where would you put it lads.
God Bless
August 14, 2012 at 10:59 am
Ben mcginlay
All the comments and views on this post are very good and most people seem to be of the same idea that there should be a fitting memorial. Getting the support wouldn’t be a problem. Where it should be, might. I personally think at Celtic park. But the wording should include all who suffered due to the famine. You just know the MSM will have a field day with this filling the papers with their sectarian insular views.
August 14, 2012 at 9:41 am
Míceál
“The old order changeth, yielding place to new ”
The Irish club, Celtic, based in Glasgow,is not the club it used to be. The board, including Desmond, has been nervous for years about how the media perceive the club and it’s Irishness.scotland is the only country in the world where the Irish are still persecuted, and our club are standing by and trying to impress upon this backward, bigoted and vile country that Celtic are not really Irish, but do have a (distant) Irish connection.We call these people (our board) sleeveens over here, doff the cap, my lord, etc.
They should be flying the tricolour from every corner and flagpole in CP and embracing and acknowledging the fact that we are an Irish club and proclaiming it to the world.Instead they are doing their damndest to anglicise Celtic, to fit in with a sad and bitter society.
We are slowly losing our heritage, our pride, our club.
Famine memorial in Glasgow ? Don’t think so and certainly no interest from Celtic PLC .
August 14, 2012 at 9:41 am
Sycamore7
Not sure about the sentiment of this blog which seems to be to encourage the club to try and increase marketability out of a historic catastrophe. Doesn’t sit right with me…
August 14, 2012 at 8:30 am
buddy morrisey
Phil some slack thinking and poor use of language. You seem to propose commemorating the Famine as a marketing opportunity from which Celtic will reap the benefits. There was no reaping during the Famine.
The Famine led to migration for many towards Scotland and beyond. If people want to have a memorial to the Famine in Ireland in Glasgow then they will get behind your campaign. But lets make sure its for the right reasons and not marketing purposes for a football club.
Celtic was founded as a forward looking inclusive club with Irish roots aiming to be successful in Scottish football. It marks the success of the Irish community on the Scottish stage. Outside the ground the statute to Brother Walfrid paid for by Celtic fans personifies the next stage in the Irish community’s progress in Scotland.
it sounds like “football bubble” talk of the worst kind talk to say Celtic own the Famine!
August 14, 2012 at 7:03 am
jinky
Seriously, get a life, there’s a memorial at Carfin. Stop looking backwards
August 14, 2012 at 12:48 am
Chris
Jinky,
I suppose you also think that there was no need for an apology for the slave trade?
If you do not know your past and you CANNOT know the future – what exactly do you know?
History teaches statecraft and, as such, from that history our futures are written by those in charge of our countries. The Glasgow (and wider Scottish) Irish are already missing/marginalised from the recent history of Scotland.
A memorial in Glasgow City Centre would mean something totally and utterly different from the current memorial within the ground of Carfin Crotto.
August 14, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Stu
My point exactly. Carfin is a far more fitting place for it than anywhere else, and yet that’s clearly not enough for some.
Might I also suggest that Celtic don’t embrace their ‘Irish Roots’ fully because they know that they’d lose the large proportion of their attending fans who aren’t Irish or claim to be Irish? Is it worth losing concrete season ticket money in return for the promise that some American based Celtic fan might occasionally buy a Celtic top?
August 14, 2012 at 1:08 pm
GAZTHECHEF
jinky, i think the point phil is trying to make here is that by acknowledging our heritage,(looking back)we can gain favour with wealthy irish americans which could secure major investment which in turn could lead to celtic being a serious driving force in europe again.surely thats what we all want?
August 14, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Michael
I do agree Phil we should have a memorial to the Famine in Glasgow, but what chance do we have when we have a statue of King Billy at Glasgow Cathedral?
August 14, 2012 at 12:14 am
Rob
Aren’t we a club open to all? I happen to support less government, the 2nd Amendment and Celtic
August 13, 2012 at 11:12 pm
De Profundis
“The new country benefited from our bravery on the battlefield”?
I’m quite sure the remnants of the native American people will totally agree with this.
August 13, 2012 at 10:55 pm
jjbhoy
dear phil,congrats on being asked to speak in philly and obviously WHEN,THEY realise that not having a memeorial is to their detriment and should be highlighted and nobody would be better versed in doing so other than your goodself. i do hope through time that our great club would take you onboard as any of our fellow tims that i meet,young and old,daft and clever all have the same view that you are a breath of fresh air and actually tell it how it really is. thank you again for your marvellous work and always remember,sir minty got knighted for less!!!
August 13, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Frankier
I don’t know about the Irish in America but there are plenty of Irish in Ireland who would rather follow the successful EPL clubs than they would Celtic. Put it this way, there aren’t too many of them who support Carlisle. Even during the recent troubles it was not uncommon to see Liverpool and Man Utd strips beside the graveside in Milltown cemetery. I first noticed this trend in Donegal Town around thirty years ago. So I think it might be a wee bit late for the plastic Irish club that is Celtic to change things around. They were the first instigators themselves to water down their Irishness. To me Celtic are now only a franchise. They remind me of the New Labour who only used the word Labour to kid the old working class from the fact that they were closet Tories.
August 13, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Neil
Is that like Rangers calling themselves Rangers, but “the” rangers are actually plastic Rangers???
August 14, 2012 at 6:52 am
rorie
there is a good book written by john burrowes called “IRISH, THE REMARKABLE STORY OF A NATION AND CITY” about the settlement of irish people in glasgow. it is available at amazon.
August 13, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Kenny McCaffrey
Nice one Phil.
Of course, over in the States you will have seen and heard of the conservative right wing, the Tea Party folk, the gun lobbyists, the where’s my nation, the no taxation, no big government types – the WASPs – the natural descendants of that other group of Celts who also went over to the New World (not cos they were starvin, mind).
August 13, 2012 at 8:36 pm
thomas cochrane
i would like celtic take a public view on this matter,im not realy surprised they have not done so in the past,but times change.who would have thought a certain team would be in trouble..the whole socio/politico/comercial/.landscape has radicaly altered.I think celtic ought to officialy mark(said event)in glasgow …..reach out accross the water to the land of the free…said event meaning an gorta mor…
August 13, 2012 at 8:11 pm
John Collins
Phil, I have been preaching that mantra for over 30 years. I wrote to Desmond White, Jack McGinn et al urging them to play the ‘Irish card’ and detailed my reasons why. Not because of any hatred of the now defunct Rangers but because it is who we are. I made a statement to Desmond White that by acknowledging our Irish roots our American cousins would embrace our club and provide us with backing beyond our dreams. I stated that this course would make us the biggest club in the world and I stand by that.
Celtic pay lip service to their Irish roots. They no longer tour Ireland and any friendlies are usually played by our youths or a development squad.
Now with Sevco in Div 3 is the ideal time to change our course; change our strategy.
It is never too late.
August 13, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Sammybhoy
Correct me if I’m wrong phill, but wernt Hibernian founded before Celtic to help the Irish imegrants in Edinburgh?? And Celtic done the same thing in glasgow! Has edinburgh Scotland’s capital got a memorial of the famine? Is it not Scotland’s shame and not just Glasgow? Should the memorial be in edinburgh as that’s we’re the 1st football club was formed to help victs of the famine? Or is it all down to Celtic and Peter lawell
August 13, 2012 at 8:02 pm
john mckee
We have a memorial to the famine and our people it is Celtic Park.
Lets have something there to formalise it
August 13, 2012 at 7:53 pm
martybhoy
Bang on and well said by this man.
August 14, 2012 at 12:11 am
Scotjolly
Totally agree, we should have something at Celtic Pk as the memorial being erected in the City Centre would be vandalised daily with our Knuckle Dragging friends. The people who really want to see it and offer their prayers and respects would be “safe” going to visit the memorial at Celtic Park.
August 14, 2012 at 11:04 am
Jim Wood
Don’t be offended by this Bhoys and Ghirls, I speak honestly and not in jest. My own family are here because of the great hunger.
I feel Celtic Park would be the correct place in Glasgow, how to do so without casing further hurt to our city? What about a signpost showing how far from home our Diaspora travelled. Placed outside the front of Celtic park perhaps with a few flagpoles nearby.
The flags of the nations we all went to, even here if we had the stomach for it, reconciliation etc. Only a wee bit of politics and a wee bit of controversy. Without any noses to be put out of place.
Sorry if this is poorly thought out but I feel it could work.
Good post again Phil,keep at them.
August 15, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Dhougal
Keep it goin Phil ,the Gaffer said ” we have a plan ,that has nothin to do with The Rangers” (in admin,liquidation,severe pain !!!! ) ……….. Mr Peter Lawwell and co. are doin a fantastic job at Paradise ,and i believe we are witnessing this plan .It must be gut-wrenching for a ”Ger” to watch whats appenin in the East-end. Celtic knocking back £7m offers for players we got for nowt ish ,new museum,cafe,supershop planned,academys springing up left ,right n centre,youth teams winning leagues,trophies,first team ave.age 24(Champions !!!) ,two games away from £15m bounty………………oh ………..and a young manager with a heart of a Lisbon Lion ,who will lie down to no one !!!! Aye the futures bright ………..IT’S GREEN N WHITE ,Our day has come !!
August 13, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Southside Tarrier
I’m sorry, our parish was founded in 1847 (typo).
August 13, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Southside Tarrier
I was born and raised in Anderston, Glasgow in 1950. At the bottom of our street in the docklands there was three huge sheds with Belfast, Derry (not Londonderry) and Dublin painted on thier sides. This is were our people landed. Our parish Saint Patricks was founded in 1887 (note the date).
Two of my grandparents were born in Ireland and on my Fathers side both of my Great Grandparents. I’ve never considered my self as any thing but Irish, albeit of descent. When I was young all I ever heard was Irish songs and stories.But! Too many of our people have over the years been cowed by the Bigotry and racism directed towards people of Irish Catholic descent. The football club that our forefathers rallied round and cherished and passed on that legacy has only on a few occasions expressed that feeling.
The days of What school did you go to? Have largely dissapeard.
So there is no more need to keep the head down and just get on with it.
Keep up the good work Phil,
Slan.
August 13, 2012 at 7:29 pm
tallybhoy
I must say Phil that this is one of your finest pieces!
I am not of Irish descent but have many good friends, in Scotland, who are. A major club like Celtic carries a lot of clout but, sometimes, it does not flex its muscles enough: this, unfortunately, is understandable given the society and culture in which it is located and operates!
A memorial to the famine in Glasgow is long overdue but, sadly I feel, it may never materialise. If this proves to be correct then a certain section of society should bow its head in shame!
I’m glad you enjoyed you stay in the city of brotherly love, and welcome back!
HH!!
August 13, 2012 at 6:40 pm
martybhoy
Agree with everything you say here Phil.
Unfortunately feel that this particular horse bolted to Franchised American sports years ago.
Was in Dublin last week and there were more Boston Celtics than Glasgow Celtics apparent to these tired eyes.
Our club’s custodians have been guilty of more missed opportunities than missed sitters from Cascarino throughout our history.Sad but true.
August 13, 2012 at 5:44 pm
scottsman78
You raise some points in this article that are blatantly obvious but also ones that I have failed to notice in the past. The reason for that can only be that Scottish society has indoctrinated us to see only what the masters want us to see and to paper over the rest.
I am very proud of my own Irish heratige (2nd generation) but have never felt comfortable expressing that pride in Scotland unless it was in the company of others from a similar background.
When I moved to the melting pot of London and home to the oppressors headquarters, I was surprised to find people are genuinely interested in your lineage and have no pre-conceived notions of your political allegience or status in society.
Hopefully Scotland can catch up with the rest of the world. It has the potential to be a great place free from stigma.
August 13, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Neil
Phil,
Nailed it for me there, every single word, there is no other club in the world with the background and foundation of our club.
If there was no Famine, there would definately be no Celtic.
The club needs to grasp this opportunity with both hands
and bring to reality the vast wealth, experince and support we would tap into.
It’s there for the taking, and it’s all free! Remember…no more sitting at the back of the bus, we shall not be moved.
KTF
August 13, 2012 at 4:38 pm
greenallover
I hope to god your right Phil. Mr lawwell is not a business novice,i think we all know that,but it has vexed me for years as to why we do not tap into the Irish/American market.As for the Memorial? Ask the council for a spot,we will raise the monies needed,and if they are less than helpful demand to know why.Celtic must get behind this,the very reason why our wonderful club should be celebrated.
August 13, 2012 at 4:33 pm
gazthechef
Top class Phil.very enjoyable read.think with the manky mob out of sight for a while the door may be open for lateral thinkers to have their say.would be fantastic for the city and a huge step towards some kind of acceptance.Celtic need to sign a high profile American.that would really get the ball rolling.perhaps Mr Lawell sees the recent friendlies as the beginning??lets hope so.keep er lit.
August 13, 2012 at 11:02 pm
redversbodkin
Speaking as a Celtic fan of Irish origin & as a shareholder ( 1995 ) the ”’GREAT FAMINE MEMORIAL SHOULD BE NOWHERE OTHER THAN CELTIC PARK” after all the club is without doubt the biggest gathering place of Irish & Scottish/ Irish as well as Anglo/ irish ,anywhere in the U K . TIME FOR OUR wonderful club leaders to start the ball rolling in earnest,GET MOVING CELTIC,
August 13, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Andybhoy
At least we could protect it,, the glasga polis won’t.
August 13, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Celtic Rebel
Good point Andy,what is there tae lose,nothing.
August 13, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Castaway
Phil, I think the problem is the league we play in. By the way my brother and sons were in The Plough and Stars, in case you were looking for them in Fado.
August 13, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Ben mcginlay
That certainly is an avenue that should be explored more by Celtic, but as you say Phil, Celtic have got to express their views as regards to the history and the effects the famine had on Celtic and the quality of life the Irish in Glasgow had at that time. They should be proud,as I am of Irish descent. The Club should always reiterate the importance of our history and not try to distance themselves from it because of what others in Scotland think. It has to be done for the correct reasons and not just for the potential commercial pluses that this may involve.
August 13, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Andybhoy
I’m stumped why they never took full advantage of this years ago phil,the same in the 26,,I think celtic could have done more to stop the Irish following the English,,,even saying it now amazes me.
August 13, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=18156
Considering An Gorta Mór to be an act of genocide is certainly a view held by some academics.
August 15, 2012 at 5:40 pm