History of Celtic: why it is so closely linked to Ireland
Talking about Celtic is not only talking about football. It is also about identity, migration, community and one of the clubs with the deepest cultural meaning in European sport. The history of Celtic Football Club is inseparable from Ireland, not as a superficial association, but as part of the club’s foundation, purpose and long-term identity.
Today, when many football supporters are interested not only in results and statistics but also in the stories behind clubs, Celtic stands out as one of the clearest examples of how football can become a vehicle for memory, belonging and community. That is also why this subject fits naturally within the world of My Bar, an Irish pub in Barcelona where football, pints and pub culture are all part of the experience.
The origins of Celtic: a club founded with a social mission
Celtic Football Club was formally established on 6 November 1887 at St Mary’s Church Hall in Glasgow. Its founder was Brother Walfrid, born Andrew Kerins in Ballymote, County Sligo, Ireland, on 18 May 1840. Walfrid was a Marist Brother who worked with poor communities, especially Irish immigrants living in the East End of Glasgow.
According to the Celtic FC Foundation, the club was created to raise funds to help feed poor children and families in the area. This is one of the most important facts in Celtic’s history, because it means the club was born not simply to compete in football, but to serve a social purpose. Football was the tool. Helping the community was the mission.
That founding principle makes Celtic unique. Many historic clubs can talk about famous players, trophies and rivalries. Celtic can do all that too, but it can also say that it was created as a practical response to poverty and exclusion.
Brother Walfrid: the key figure in Celtic’s history
If there is one figure who explains the soul of Celtic, it is Brother Walfrid. His importance goes far beyond the act of founding the club. He gave Celtic its moral framework.
Walfrid had emigrated from Ireland to Scotland and understood the hardship faced by Irish families in Glasgow. He saw poverty at close range and wanted to create structures that could provide support and dignity. The idea of using football to raise funds was both practical and visionary.
The Celtic FC Foundation explains that Walfrid wanted to help newly arrived Irish immigrants and also support their integration into wider Scottish society without losing their identity. This is central to understanding why Celtic remains so closely linked to Ireland even today.
Why Celtic is so closely linked to Ireland
The connection between Celtic and Ireland has several layers. The most obvious is that its founder was Irish. But the relationship goes much deeper. The name of the club itself was chosen deliberately. The foundation explains that Brother Walfrid wanted a name that would resonate with both Scots and Irish people, and “Celtic” offered exactly that kind of shared cultural reference.
This means the club was born in Scotland, but with a strong Irish social and cultural foundation. Over time, Celtic became closely associated with the Irish diaspora, Catholic working-class communities and a sense of collective identity that extended well beyond the football pitch.
That is why searches such as history of Celtic, Celtic and Ireland or why is Celtic linked to Ireland continue to matter. People are not only looking for football facts. They are looking for the deeper story behind one of the game’s most distinctive institutions.
Important dates in Celtic’s history
The story of Celtic becomes easier to understand when you look at some of the most important milestones in the club’s development:
- 1887: Celtic is formally founded by Brother Walfrid in Glasgow.
- 1888: Celtic plays its first match and beats Rangers 5-2.
- 1892: the club moves to Celtic Park, its historic home.
- 1903: the famous green-and-white hooped shirt is adopted.
- 1965: Jock Stein becomes manager.
- 1967: Celtic wins the European Cup and becomes the first British club to do so.
These milestones are reflected in sources such as Britannica and the official Celtic history section, both of which show how the club evolved from a local charitable initiative into a global football institution.
Jock Stein and the Lisbon Lions
If Brother Walfrid gave Celtic its moral purpose, Jock Stein gave the club its greatest sporting era. According to the official Celtic profile of Jock Stein, he is widely regarded as the greatest manager in the club’s history.
Under Stein, Celtic won 10 league titles, including nine in a row, as well as numerous domestic trophies. Most importantly, in 1967 Celtic beat Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon to win the European Cup. That team became immortal as the Lisbon Lions.
The significance of that victory cannot be overstated. Celtic did not simply win Europe’s top club competition. It became the first British club to do so, and in the process established itself as one of football’s most historic institutions.
The modern importance of Celtic for Irish identity
It would not be accurate to say that Celtic represents every Irish person equally. However, it is entirely fair to say that the club still carries enormous emotional and cultural significance for many Irish people and for large parts of the Irish diaspora.
This connection is not only symbolic. It remains active today. The Celtic FC Foundation continues to support projects in Ireland. In April 2026, for example, the foundation returned to Dublin for a fundraising event connected to Irish social projects. It also continues initiatives such as Ability Counts Ireland, which supports communities in areas including Sligo, Derry and Donegal.
This matters because it shows that the relationship between Celtic and Ireland is not just historical. It is still alive, still active and still meaningful.
Why this story fits naturally with My Bar
From a content strategy point of view, this article works for My Bar because it strengthens the pub’s cultural territory without forcing a commercial message. My Bar is positioned as an Irish pub in Barcelona, where football, pints and a real pub atmosphere come together in the city centre.
Someone interested in the history of Celtic is very likely to connect with the broader world of football culture, Irish identity and pub tradition. That is exactly where My Bar fits naturally. This is not about turning a historical article into a sales page. It is about building relevance and trust through a topic that genuinely belongs in the brand’s universe.
If the reader also wants to enjoy football in that setting, they can explore the live sports section or discover more about the space on the My Bar page.
Conclusion
The history of Celtic cannot be separated from Ireland. From the charitable vision of Brother Walfrid to the glory of the Lisbon Lions, and from the struggles of Irish immigrants in Glasgow to the club’s ongoing social work in Ireland today, Celtic has built an identity unlike almost any other in European football.
That is why it remains so relevant. Celtic is not only a football club. It is a symbol of belonging, memory and community. And that is exactly why its story sits so naturally within the world of an Irish pub in Barcelona such as My Bar, where football is best enjoyed with atmosphere, conversation and a proper pint.
If you enjoy football with real pub atmosphere, discover My Bar in Carrer Ferran, 8, right in the centre of Barcelona.
You can also check the live sports schedule or explore the drinks menu.
Frequently asked questions about Celtic and Ireland
Who founded Celtic?
Celtic was founded by Brother Walfrid, an Irish Marist Brother who created the club to raise money for poor families in Glasgow.
When was Celtic founded?
Celtic was formally founded on 6 November 1887 at St Mary’s Church Hall in Glasgow.
Why is Celtic linked to Ireland?
Because it was founded by an Irishman to help Irish immigrants in Scotland, and because its identity has remained closely tied to Irish culture and community ever since.
Who were the Lisbon Lions?
The Lisbon Lions were the Celtic team that won the 1967 European Cup, making Celtic the first British club to lift the trophy.
Does Celtic still have strong links to Ireland today?
Yes. Through the work of the Celtic FC Foundation and its active projects in Ireland, the club still maintains a meaningful connection to Irish communities.