TO once again recognise the tragedy of The Great Hunger, Celtic will be wearing the National Famine Memorial Day logo on the Hoops when they take to the field this Saturday for our match against Hibernian at Celtic Park.

Unquestionably, the Great Hunger 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 Great Hunger, either for its immediate impact, or its legacy of emigration, cultural loss and decline of the Irish language.

Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, announced that this year’s National Famine Commemoration will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2017 in Ballingarry, County Tipperary.

Speaking at the Launch in April 2017, Minister Humphreys said: “This is the first time the National Famine Commemoration will be hosted in Co Tipperary. Each year the commemoration represents an opportunity for the modern generation to remember the devastating impact which the Great Famine had on this country.

“Sadly, the plight of hunger still stalks the world today. Our commemoration of the sufferings of our own past can only strengthen and increase our sense of empathy and understand with those societies afflicted by this scourge in our own era.”

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “The origins of Celtic Football Club will forever be connected to the Great Famine and it is hugely important that we once again mark this annual memorial”.  

“Celtic was established as a force for good, a vehicle to support people in real need, people whose families had previously escaped the devastation of the Great Famine.

“The club’s ethos and traditions are borne from these events and these values of charity and community will never change.

“It is important that we always remember the devastating and lasting affect 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.”

A number of the special jerseys from Saturday’s match will be auctioned with the proceeds going to the work of Celtic FC Foundation.