Photo Of The Day: Celtic FC Born Of Famine And Oppression

Today’s photo of the day focuses on an Irish theme to mark St Patrick’s Day. The chosen image shows a tricolour emblazoned with the words “Celtic FC born of famine and oppression”. The flag was displayed in the mid-2000s at a Celtic away match. It strikes a chord by harking back to the foundations of the club, which emerged after Irish immigrants were forced to flee famine and destitution. Life was tough for these people in Glasgow, who were not welcomed by the native population. Their religion was different, their accent was unusual, their political beliefs were anti-imperialist and they were deemed to be strike-breakers, who would undercut local people.

The vision of Brother Walfrid, other Irishmen and Irish descendants, ensured that the Irish diaspora would take its rightful place in Scottish society, and the poor children of the east end would be fed.

Celtic Football Club was born in late 1887 and played its first match in May 1888. Well over a century later, it remains an important cultural institution and a way of life for many.