Our friend Colm Keegan had asked us to participate in a documentary on the Irish diaspora in Glasgow - which proved to be great fun.
The focus of this blog and video relates to the time of the Great Famine or An Gorta Mor, when large numbers of Irish immigrants began to arrive in the city seeking work and a better life. The Irish community in Glasgow was initially concentrated in the city's east end, where they lived in overcrowded and impoverished conditions. Despite facing discrimination and poverty, the Irish community in Glasgow established strong cultural and social ties, with a thriving community centered around their local churches and social clubs.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Irish community in Glasgow grew rapidly, as more and more Irish people continued to arrive in search of work and a better life. The community faced significant challenges, including poverty, discrimination, and anti-Irish sentiment, but they also established a vibrant cultural and social scene, with traditional music, dance, and storytelling being an important part of the community's life.
Throughout the 20th century, the Irish community in Glasgow continued to face challenges and discrimination, but they also made significant contributions to the city's life and culture. Today, the Irish community in Glasgow is an important and vibrant part of the city, with a rich cultural heritage and a thriving social and economic life. Despite facing new challenges in the 21st century, the Irish community in Glasgow remains proud of its heritage and continues to be an important part of the city's rich cultural tapestry.
The video below is just a small part of a broader series that was broadcast by StageIt, and the focus of this one is on the influence of Irish immigration on the formation of what is one of the biggest manifestations of Irish emigration across the world - Celtic Football Club!
Watching the video, there are a few things that jump out to me: the first is how great parts of the East End look, and secondly, I need to lay off the pies!
Was great to visit the An Gorta Mor statue as part of this too - one of our stops on the
Gallus Pedals Glasgow Alternative Tour which focuses on part of the East End. Here it is below:
The final part of the video includes an interview with Tony Hamilton (@PolishTurnstile), CEO of the Celtic FC Foundation, who spoke very eloquently on how the principles and ethos of the formation of 'Celtic' play an integral part in the work of the Foundation today. It also gave us the opportunity for a few selfies inside ;)
Comments