‘Obscure’ life story of Brother Walfrid, founder of Celtic, is focus of new study
● Researcher aims to raise awareness of important figure
As the founder of Celtic Football Club, Brother Walfrid’s contribution to Scotland’s national game has long been well recognised.
But the story of the Marist Brother – real name Andrew Kerins – remains “largely obscure”, according to academics.
Now, his life is to be the subject of detailed research project to raise awareness of his work to tackle poverty.
Walfrid founded the football club to help alleviate poverty among Irish immigrants in Glasgow’s east end towards the end of the 19th century.
Michael Connolly is taking on a PHD study into Walfrid’s life at the University of Stirling, funded with a £25,000 grant by Glasgow-based arts group Nine Muses.
The 27-year-old said: “As someone who was brought up with a deep awareness regarding the significance of Celtic’s presence in Scotland, I felt inspired to write a dissertation for my history degree at university on the origins of the club.
“It was then I began to understand the importance of brother W alf rid–not just to Celtic, but to the wider Irish immigrant population he sought to support by creating the football club in Glasgow.
“The works of academic authorities such as Dr Joe Bradley and Professor Sir Tom Devine helped fuel my interest in the themes of immigration, Irish identity, poverty, charity and community, which of course motivated Walfrid to found Celtic.”
PHD supervisor Dr Joe Bradley added: “It aims to substantiate the partial image we currently have of Walfrid and, indeed, of the circumstances that provided the conditions for the emergence of Celtic Football Club: a unique representation of the Irish diaspora in world sport.”
A number of pieces of art have been created of Brother Walfrid with the support of Nine Muses, who say the research project forms part of a larger awareness campaign.
Manager Emma O’neil said: “Over 25 years, Andrew Kerins was a pivotal figure in helping poverty-ridden, demoralised and desperate immigrants displaced from Ireland to Glasgow because of the Great Famine, a terrible period in European history.
“Walfrid helped give them food, hope, and, through Celtic, pride, and we want to raise awareness of his life and works.”
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell described Walfrid as “a hugely important figure”.
Mr Lawwell added: “He was a man who gave people hope at a time of desperation, and in adversity someone who brought people together by creating a club open to all – his dedication to helping others has left a phenomenal legacy.
“It is Brother Walfrid’s vision of charitable purpose and community through football, which Celtic will always hold dear and will always strive to honour in everything it does.”
Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia said he looked forward to the publication of the study “as Glasgow’s current Catholic Archbishop, as a very proud Glaswegian who was brought up in the city’s east end, and as a Celtic supporter and football man”.
He said: “We have all heard that Brother Walfrid and his associates wanted to make Celtic FC a club ‘open to all’.
“That purpose sounds visionary and progressive for its time. As such, it can only be good for the present and future of Glasgow.”
“It aims to substantiate the partial image we have of Walfrid and of the circumstances that provided the conditions for the emergence of Celtic”
DR JOE BRADLEY