Living in Bournemouth, Dorset, there’s not a wealth of history or Celtic-related landmarks nearby. However, on a rare midweek day off today, I went out for a drive to give the car a run, when it suddenly occurred to me that there was one notable place I could visit.

Myself and my Mother were heading for Weymouth so that she could get a closer look at some of the cruise ships docked there, not least the $660 million ship owned by a Russian billionaire. Within three seconds the excitement, which was minimal beforehand, had worn off. At that moment, I spotted a sign for Portland.

Portland is a town I’ve only ever visited to play football. After the match, you tend to want to get back to civilisation as soon as possible. It’s a dreary grim island at Dorset’s most southerly point, with a five mile road across the sea connecting residents to the big wide world.

Despite this, Portland is home to a historic prison, which was built in 1848. Once incarcerated in the prison was Michael Davitt. Davitt was Celtic Football Club’s first Patron and the man who laid the first sod of shamrock smothered turf at the new Celtic Park in 1892. The prison is now a young offender’s institute, but it remains unchanged since it was built. For that reason, I paid a visit.

Michael Davitt was Celtic’s first Patron & laid the first sod of turf at Celtic Park. He was a member of the IRB and was sent to Portland Prison in Dorset in 1881 where he was voted MP for Co Meath. An hours drive from me, I had a look at the unchanged prison today ☘️🍀 pic.twitter.com/hGWjf1lxAW

— Liam Kelly (@cfcliamk96) June 10, 2020

Michael Davitt was a great Irish patriot from Co Mayo. He founded the Land League, which fought against Landlords, their rental terms and evictions. He gave talks to crofters in the highlands, in Ireland and the USA. His thirst for social justice was unquenchable, as was his desire for Irish freedom and then Home Rule.

Davitt was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and became one it’s supreme council members. He took part in the 1867 Uprising and was found to be gun running for the organisation. As such, Davitt was sentenced to 15 years in Dartmoor prison for treason. As a member of the Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP), who campaigned against his unfair trial, Davitt was given a ticket of leave having served just over 7 years of his sentence. That time had brought great pain to the Irishman, who was held in solitary confinement and fed rations, which damaged his health permanently.

He rejoined the IRB after leaving jail and continued with his radical speeches, including campaign tours of Scotland. For one such speech, his ticket of leave was revoked and he was sent back to an English prison in 1881. That prison, was Portland.

Located at the top of the hill, in the mountainous town, the prison stands next to the coast. Made of Portland stone, it would have been extremely cold in the notorious winds that the area witnesses. It was, and remains, a bleak dreary place.

Whilst in Portland Prison, in the 1882 by-election, Davitt was elected as MP for Co Meath as an IPP candidate. His election was disqualified though, due to the fact he was still in prison. Upon his release, Davitt travelled to America with John Redmond of the IPP, to give his famous speeches.

He was named as Celtic Football Club’s first Patron and was invited to lay the first sod of turf at Celtic Park in 1892. Make no mistake, this was akin to having a Gerry Adams type figure at the time. It was a clear demonstration of what Celtic and it’s early committees stood for.