To mark National Famine Commemoration Day which took place on Sunday, the Celtic men’s first team sported the club’s Celtic Cross logo in their win 3-2 win over St Mirren on Trophy Day.

With the links to the Irish community dating back to the formation of Celtic Football Club and as a club born from oppression, we recognise the immense tragedy of The Great Hunger (An Gorta Mór).

The Great Hunger was a transforming event in Ireland, which changed the demographic and cultural landscape forever. There is nothing else in the history of the Irish people that can be likened to it, either for its immediate impact or its legacy of emigration, cultural loss and decline of the Irish language.

The Great Hunger led to an influx of the Irish people here in Scotland, where they made their new homes, with many settling in the East End of Glasgow.

As a Scottish club established in that very area in 1887 with such proud Irish roots, Celtic will always be linked to these tragic events over 170 years ago. May 18 also fittingly marked the birthdate of our Founding Father, Brother Walfrid, a man who was devoted to assisting those most in need within his community, many of whom had been affected by An Gorta Mór.

Celtic FC Foundation are delighted to confirm that a selection of match worn and match issue shirts from the game against St Mirren – signed by each respective player – are now available to bid on via the club’s official shirt auction partner, MatchWornShirt HERE. Bidding will close at 12.30pm on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

Proceeds raised from the shirt auction will be devoted to supporting vulnerable children and young people through Celtic FC Foundation’s Community Games and Ability Counts projects in Ireland.