CELTIC players will be wearing the National Famine Memorial Day logo on the Hoops this weekend when they take to Celtic Park against Hibernian.
The tribute has been planned to coincide with Ireland’s National Famine Commemoration which will take place in Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary on Saturday.
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said the Scottish club will forever be connected to the Great Hunger’s “legacy of emigration, cultural loss and the decline of the Irish language.”
Mr Lawwell said: “The origins of Celtic Football Club will forever be connected to the Great Famine and it is hugely important that we once again mark this annual memorial.
“Celtic was established as a force for good, a vehicle to support people in real need, people whose families had previously escaped the devastation of the Great Famine.
“The club’s ethos and traditions are borne from these events and these values of charity and community will never change.”
?? This looks superb for Saturday's game commemorating the Famine pic.twitter.com/mnTiEq7CC8
— Read Celtic (@ReadCeltic) September 28, 2017
He added: “It is important that we always remember the devastating and lasting affect which the Famine had on the lives of so many millions of people.
"We are pleased again to play our part in this year’s commemoration."
A number of the special jerseys from Saturday’s game will be auctioned with the proceeds going to the work of the Celtic FC Foundation.
Ireland’s own commemorative event in Ballingarry will be the first time the National Famine Commemoration has been hosted in Co. Tipperary.
Heritage Minister Heather Humphreys said: “Each year the commemoration represents an opportunity for the modern generation to remember the devastating impact which the Great Famine had on this country.
“Sadly, the plight of hunger still stalks the world today.
“Our commemoration of the sufferings of our own past can only strengthen and increase our sense of empathy and understand with those societies afflicted by this scourge in our own era.”
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