1892

The first sod of real Irish shamrocks, of the new ground of 1892 was laid by the famous Irish Patriot and the clubs first patron Michael Davitt. To commerate the occasion, a poem appeared in one of the Catholic papers of the day.

On alien soil like yourself I am here;
I'll take root and flourish, of that never fear,
And though I'll be crossed sore and oft by the foes
You'll find me as hardy as a Thistle or a Rose.
If model is needed on your own pitch you will have it,
Let your play honour me and my friend Michael Davitt.

A souvenir hunter or vandal carried off that Donegal sod, so its shamrocks never bloomed, but what befell the one who removed the turf no man knoweth.

He carried however, for ever the weight of poets wrath, as when it became known the following verse was published:

The curse of Cromwell blast the hand that stole the sod that Michael cut;
May all his praties turn to sand-the crawling, thieving scut.
That precious site of Irish soil with verdant shamrocks overgrown
Was token of a glorious soil more fitting far than fretted stone.
Again I say, may Heaven blight that envious, souless knave;
May all his sunshine be like night and the sod rest heavy on his grave.


Michael Davitt, as one of the most popular of the nationalist leaders, duly appeared, to be received by a speech of welcome from two young lads dressed in Robert Emmet costumes.

T.D. Sullivan sang his own composition at the event 'God Save Ireland'.

Later, Davitt is said to have commented, that if he saw too many Celtic games 'he would forswear politics for football so much had it impressed him.'

T.D.Sullivan, MP and composer of the ballad to Manchester Martyrs,God Save Ireland, saw his first Celtic game in November 1892. He was feted by the club, cheered by the players, and in his turn sang a verse of his own song which was effectively Ireland's national anthem for fifty years.

In 1909 Captain Edward O'Meagher Condon visited Glasgow. He would have been one of the Manchester Martyrs of 1867 had not his American nationality won him a reprieve.At the meeting he addressed, he was joined on the platform by the Chairman of Celtic Football Club, James Kelly.

1995

On the evening of April 10th 1995 hundreds of people gathered at a field in Mullachdubh, in the Rosses, to witness the cutting of the sod by members of the Rosses CSC.

In true West Donegal Tradition, the local Fife and drum bands came out and played a few tunes, with RTE News carrying the story on the 9 o’clock news.

The local priest blessed the sod which was then placed on board the bus with 50 supporters which headed off to Glasgow.   

The sod was carefully watched over and indeed watered in Larne; for fear that it might get to Parkhead with the grass faded.

Fergus McCann graciously met the group at the front door of Celtic Park along with Donegal’s Packie Bonner and several Celtic Officials together with TV cameras and the press.

The Sod was carried inside the famous main doors and the sense of importance of the day began to hit home.

Here were 50 Celtic supporters from the Rosses and Gweedore carrying 100 years of a Celtic and Irish Connection forward for another 100 years.

The Ceremony itself was quite simple with the sod placed in the Centre Circle.

Fergus McCann thanked the group for keeping the great Irish tradition alive

The above is originated from Charlie Boyle 1995.