Celtic Park – First Turf of Grass

Celtic Park | About Celtic | Lennoxtown | Michael Davitt

Details

Ref: Ceremonial laying of First Turf at renovated Celtic Park
Date: 10th April 1995


Overview

from a trip to Donegal

A small but nonetheless historic moment in Celtic history occurred on the evening of April 10th 1995 in a small field in the tiny Donegal townland of Mullachdubh, in the beautiful Rosses region.

Hundreds of people from across the Celtic heartland that is Donegal gathered to witness members of the Rosses CSC cut a sod of turf to be laid in the centre circle of the newly revamped Celtic Park. Local Fife and drum bands marched to the field accompanied by hundreds of Celtic fans and the local parish priest who blessed the turf.

The sod of Donegal earth then travelled with 50 supporters from Gweedore and the Rosses on a bus to Glasgow. To ensure the sod made it to Parkhead in good health the grass was watered in Larne. The party was met at Celtic Park by Fergus McCann, along with Donegal’s own Packie Bonner and other Celtic Officials.

The Sod was carried through the corridors of Celtic Park, down the tunnel and onto the new playing arena. Once at the centre circle a simple but poignant service was held and the turf planted in the heart of Celtic Park.

This ceremony echoed one which took place back in 1892. Then Irish patriot Michael Davitt laid a piece of shamrock sprinkled turf in the centre spot of Celtic Park to mark the opening of the ground at its present site.

from a trip to Donegal
Inscription:

Celtic First Sod of Turf
It was in this field on the 10th day of April 1995 that the first sod of Turf for the new Celtic Park in Glasgow was cut.
This commemoration stone was later unveiled by Glasgow Celtic Captain Paul McStay on the 2nd day of June 1996.

Articles

Celtic Park - First Turf of Grass - Pic

In 1903 Davitt was said to admit “Candidly i don’t prize highly the game of football, it was not numbered among the athletes of our ancestors and cannot hold the proverbial candle, for manliness and all round exercise of Hurling”. This letter to our hon secy dates from July 1890.