Following on from the announcement regarding the Celtic jersey and our annual commemoration, we are pleased that supporters, church and club will all come together to recognise the tragedy of An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger) ahead of the match against St Mirren this Saturday (May 20) at Celtic Park.
On Saturday, a Mass will also be held at St Mary’s in the Calton, the birthplace of Celtic, at 10am, to which all are welcome. Then at 11am, a wreath-laying service will take place at the Famine Memorial statue in the grounds of the church.
The origins of Celtic Football Club will forever be connected to An Gorta Mor and it is hugely important that we once again mark this annual memorial.
Unquestionably, the Great Famine was a transforming event in Ireland, which changed the demographic and cultural landscape forever. Indeed, there is nothing else in the history of the Irish people that can be likened to the Famine, either for its immediate impact, or its legacy of emigration, cultural loss and decline of the Irish language.
This year’s National Famine Commemoration, which will be led by President Michael D. Higgins, will take place on the site of the old Milford Workhouse and graveyard in Milford, Co. Donegal at 2pm on Sunday, May 21. As in previous years, the commemoration will include a wreath laying ceremony in remembrance of all those who suffered or perished during the Famine.
Celtic was established to help people whose families had previously escaped the devastation of the Great Famine.
It is important that we always remember the devastating and lasting effect which the Famine had on the lives of so many millions of people and we are pleased again to play our part in this year’s commemoration.
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