Appeal for information about Ballymote native Brother Walfrid
A Scottish arts group called Nine Muses is currently seeking information on Ballymote native Brother Walfrid.
Brother Walfrid led an extraordinary life, some of which has been detailed on the website, www.brotherwalfridart. com.
The Nine Muses have funded the world’s first PhD into the life and enduring legacy of Brother Walfrid and are hoping that residents or former residents of Sligo and Ballymote might have even more information.
Are there family stories about him that have not been told outside the family?
Does anyone have any documents or literature concerning his life which they could share?
Are there relatives out there that the company may not be aware of ?
Any information gathered will be passed on to Michael Collins, who is currently compiling the PhD, plus the company also hope to produce another high-budget documentary on the life of Brother Walfrid.
Their previous documentary was a huge hit.
Brother Walfrid was the founder of Celtic, whose purpose at the time was to raise funds for the poor but also to help develop a community spirit. He set up charities in Glasgow and London, and help ed raise funds for St. Joseph’s College (Dumfries and Galloway) which is still in use today.
There are also calls for his Canonisation as a modern saint.
Internationally renowned artist Peter Howson OBE was commissioned to create a portrait of Brother Walfrid, sales of the limited edition boxed print generate money for the St. Mary’s Restoration Fund. This is the church/manse where he spent most of his Glasgow life and where he founded Celtic from.
Money generated by the sale of the boxed set via Celtic FC websites and stores goes towards the Celtic Foundation who work with the poor in the deprived areas of Glasgow’s East End, many of which have a shred Irish heritage.
There are plans to expand the merchandise range of the Peter Howson ‘Brother Walfrid’ painting and thus raise additional money for charitable causes.
Any other money raise is put back into promoting and publicising the work of Walfrid and his enduring legacy.