19 March 1892 was a day which clearly demonstrated the political connections that were a significant part of Celtic’s early years. Irish politician Michael Davitt laid a sod of Irish turf at the new Celtic Park, on the site on which the Bhoys’ ground still stands…
Michael Davitt was a renowned political figure in his day. He was not simply interested in Ireland’s constitutional future, but also the land rights of working men and women across the world. He became associated with Celtic after the club’s formation, acting as its patron.
Michael Davitt was born in County Mayo in Ireland in 1846
Michael Davitt was born in County Mayo in Ireland in 1846. This was in the midst of the famine that would devastate the country. He was well aware of the poverty of the era; his family was evicted from their land and forced into the dreaded workhouse. This forced the Davitt family to flee their homeland and move to England.
Michael Davitt had a tough childhood, and began working in a cotton mill when aged only nine. But aged 11, disaster struck. Davitt was badly injured in a workplace accident, and his right arm had to be amputated. This led to him being given the chance to attend school, and he later found work in a post office.
Michael Davitt joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood
Michael Davitt became interested in politics, and soon joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood. This group was involved in radical actions to secure Ireland’s independence from Britain. In 1870, he was arrested for weapons smuggling and eventually sentenced to 15 years hard labour in prison.
He served half of this sentence, but was still very committed to political change. In particular, he became a key player in the so-called ‘Land War’. This event saw protests and demands for change to improve the land rights and lives of Ireland’s poor farmers.
This issue became the driving force of his life. One of his most significant contributions came in 1879 when he was part of the establishment of the Irish Land League, which campaigned for land rights in Ireland.
Davitt was not simply interested in helping poor workers in Ireland
However, Davitt was not simply interested in helping poor workers in Ireland, he was committed to change across the world. He travelled to various places, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. He was also a regular visitor to Scotland, speaking in various locations, particularly in support of Highlanders who wanted change.
In this same era, Scotland had a huge Irish population. The massive influx of emigrants who had fled the devastation of famine had created strong communities across the country, from places in the east like Edinburgh as well as Lochee in Dundee, through to Glasgow, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire in the west.
The Irish diaspora in Scotland did not always find their new home to be a huge improvement
This Irish diaspora did not always find their new home to be a huge improvement. As well as facing religious and national discrimination, poverty was a constant threat for them and their children. Many people hoped to fix this, and football was at the heart of these efforts. Most famously, in November 1887, Celtic Football Club was established to feed the poor of Glasgow’s east end.
Celtic FC – football, charity and also politics
However, the men who set up Celtic were not simply interested in charity, important though this was. They also had religious goals, and others were connected to Irish politics of the day. One notable example of this was John Glass, a Glasgow-born builder, who descended from Donegal stock. Glass – along with Brother Walfrid – were the two key men in forcing the rise of Celtic.
Celtic quickly became one of the major names in football not simply in Scotland, but across Britain. Despite only first playing in May 1888, by the autumn of that year many newspapers described them as the “already famous Celtic.” The club had succeeded in raising funds to support charities not just in Glasgow, but across Britain.
Some hoped to use Celtic as a means of promoting Irish political issues
However, others hoped that Celtic would have a wider influence than just sport and football. The appointment of the club’s first patron – Archbishop Charles Eyre – was one reminder of Celtic’s religious links. Some others hoped to use Celtic as a means of promoting Irish political issues too.
Therefore, at the club’s annual general meeting in 1889, Michael Davitt was nominated – and unanimously endorsed – as Celtic’s second patron. This honorary title did not bring with it a specific set of tasks, other than symbolising Celtic’s support for different political causes.
Michael Davitt and Brother Walfrid always pronounced Celtic as ‘Keltic’
Interestingly, Davitt followed Brother Walfrid’s lead on one particular issue. The two men always pronounced Celtic as ‘Keltic’. Some people – including the Michael Davitt museum in Ireland – have tried to claim that Davitt actually named Celtic, but there are no contemporary sources supporting this. Celtic were formed in 1887 and it was not until 1889 that he had an official link with the club.
Davitt would be involved with different Celtic events over the years, but certainly his most well-known came in 1892. In 1888, Celtic had moved into the first Celtic Park, however, by the early-1890s, the club’s landlord tried to force them to pay a huge rent increase. This was especially ironic given Davitt’s involvement in campaigns against unfair landlord charges.
To mark this new Celtic Park, an opening ceremony was held
Instead, Celtic sought to build a new ground, eventually moving a short distance to the modern day site of Celtic Park. By March 1892, much of the ground had been built, albeit that it would not be in use until August of that year. To mark the progress of this new Celtic Park, an opening ceremony was held.
On 19 March 1892, Celtic were due to host Clyde at the first Celtic Park. Before this, a sod laying ceremony took place at the new ground. Davitt laid turf from Ireland into the centre of the pitch, and for this was presented with a commemorative spade. However, the turf never had a chance to grow; that night, someone came with their own spade and stole it!
Timothy Daniel Sullivan – ‘God Save Ireland’
The sod laying event also had some other entertainment. One of the invited guests was the MP Timothy Daniel Sullivan. He is best remembered for writing the song ‘God Save Ireland’ and this was performed on the new Celtic Park’s pitch.
After the ceremony, Davitt then went to watch the Celtic versus Clyde match. In fact, in a tradition of the time, he actually kicked it off, watched by 10,000 fans. This was arguably the only excitement of the day as there were no goals to cheer with it finishing 0-0.
Davitt’s Celtic responsibilities were not yet finished
Even when the game had concluded, Davitt’s Celtic responsibilities were not yet finished. That night, he attended a dinner in Bridgeton organised by the Glasgow Football Association. This was to present Celtic with the Glasgow Cup, which they had won the previous December, beating Clyde 7-1. In his role as club patron, Davitt received the cup on the Celts’ behalf.
Davitt was obviously interested in sport. He was a founding patron of the Gaelic Athletic Association and once remarked that that he did not watch football more for fear that: “if I were to be too much exposed to it, I would likely to become so infatuated altogether, and forget about politics.” Although it’s also important not to over-exaggerate this football connection; Davitt himself said that the Celtic-Clyde game had been the first game he had seen in twenty years.
This certainly wasn’t his last involvement with Celtic. Since he became patron – and after this 1892 visit – the club made regular donations to Davitt’s political causes. Indeed, the final Celtic game played at the original Celtic Park – a 1-1 draw between Celtic and Clyde in July 1892 – gave its proceeds to Evictions Fund that helped Irish people forced off their land.
Davitt continued to watch Celtic over the years
Over the years, there were various reports that Davitt was going to watch Celtic, whether in Glasgow, or when the Bhoys were on one of their friendly visits around Britain. Generally though he did not actually attend, sometimes due to sickness. But in 1894, he was again back in Glasgow’s east end.
Davitt’s five-year-old son wore a white hat with ‘Celtic’ in gold letters
On 11 August 1894, Queen’s Park travelled to Celtic Park, two years since the new venue had been opened. Davitt and various other Irish political figures attended, although the most notable guest that day was Davitt’s five-year-old son. Whilst wearing a white hat with the name ‘Celtic’ in gold letters, the young boy kicked off the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Celtic would make donations
By now, Davitt had become a Member of Parliament, first winning an election in 1892 but not properly taking a seat until the following year. He eventually had to resign in 1895 as he was made bankrupt. To acknowledge Davitt’s 1894 Glasgow visit, Celtic presented him with a cheque for £60 to support the Irish Parliamentary Fund.
This was a cause to which Celtic would make donations on other occasions. The most notable of these came in 1895. The club organised a “Grand demonstration night” to raise funds for the Irish National League. Held at the Old Barracks Carnival on the Gallowgate this included attractions such as a monkey house, water chute, high diving, balloon ascents and parachutists.
Many Celtic fans continue to support political topics around the world
In the modern era, many Celtic fans continue to support political topics around the world. This was also true for Michael Davitt, and it played a role in ending his parliamentary career. In 1895, he again was elected as an MP, but resigned once more in 1899. This time it was in protest at Britain’s involvement in the Boer War.
Davitt is well-remembered as a campaigner for downtrodden people around the world.
After ceasing to be an MP, Davitt campaigned and travelled, including going to South Africa where he backed the Boers in their conflict. This has led to some criticisms of his opinions on race, given Boer attitudes towards indigenous black people in South Africa. However, Davitt is generally well-remembered as a campaigner for downtrodden people around the world.
His death came in 1906, sixty years after his birth. In a sad event, he had a tooth extracted, but complications from this caused septicaemia, which killed him. Although he wanted a low-key funeral, 20,000 people came out to witness his final journey back to his birthplace of Straide in County Mayo, where he was buried. Nowadays, a museum in the town remembers him.
Davitt’s role as patron serves as clear evidence of the political dimension which remains part of Celtic
From the mid-1890s onwards, there are few references to Michael Davitt continuing to have a direct Celtic association, or even attending games. However, his role as patron serves as clear evidence of the political dimension which was part of Celtic’s early years. This is evidenced in donations, public comments and even simply the attendance at Celtic Park of various Irish MPs.
Today political issues continue to lead to tensions at Celtic Park
In the modern era, political issues continue to lead to tensions at Celtic Park, not least between some sets of fans and those that run the club. Michael Davitt would certainly have been on the side of those people who believe Celtic exist to discuss these matters, as more than just a football club. Celtic always has and always will be more than just a football club.
Matthew Marr
If you want to learn more about Celtic history, follow Hail Hail History on Twitter/X. You can also take part in a FREE Celtic history walking tour. Visit celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com for more information.
Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.
