A new paperback edition of the bestselling WALFRID. Coincides with a new printing of hardback copies.

Andrew Kerins [Brother Walfrid] [1840 – 1915] was one of the most significant Irish immigrants to Scotland. He was an outstanding individual in relation to Catholic education and charity in Glasgow and a major contributor to the emergence of organised sport in Scotland in the late nineteenth century.

He was but one individual, amongst countless thousands of victims, who survived the catastrophe of An Gorta Mor in Ireland, only to be forced to leave behind family, community and homeland in the hope of finding a better life overseas. Over one million others perished owing to the prevalence of starvation and disease during Ireland’s darkest period. Kerins left for Glasgow as a fifteen-year-old boy and the spectre of hunger, accompanied by a concern for the spiritual and physical well-being of others, are motifs which endured throughout his long and impactful life.

Dr Michael Connolly’s research points up three major themes which motivated Walfrid’s actions in life with the Marist Brothers – namely, his Catholic faith, communitybased charitable action, alongside a close and enduring association with football, and Celtic FC in particular. He played a leading role in originally founding Celtic in order to support the impoverished Irish Catholic diaspora in Glasgow. Later in life he did the same work in London’s East End.

‘Managed to read this lovely book on long haul flights this week! Who knew that when my children were cheering on Glasgow’s legendary Celtic football team that the club’s foundational story was of an altogether different kind of heroism and one that richly deserves this scholarly telling. History has for too long overlooked the seminal role in Celtic’s narrative of Brother Walfrid, a humble Irish monk whose life was one of utterly unselfish but visionary service far from home. Michael Connolly in this beautifully told biography, makes Brother Walfrid visible again as he deserves to be. Congratulations and best wishes for its success. I loved the book!’
Mary McAleese

‘An extraordinary book on an extraordinary man. The definitive story of Brother Walfrid. . . ’
Hugh McDonald, journalist

‘I would like to congratulate Dr Michael Connolly for this excellent and definitive biography.’
Peter Lawwell, Celtic Football Club

‘. . . a well-researched and fascinating account of Brother Walfrid’s life. ’
Alison Healy, journalist and author

‘Michael Connolly’s research provides fascinating and important information on the life and work of a man who had a significant impact on the development of the city of Glasgow. . . the combination of his Irish heritage, Marist formation, passion for sport, and religious faith brought improvement to the lives of the poor children.’
Brother Brendan Geary, F.M.S., PhD.,
Provincial of the Marist Brothers, 2010 – 2019

‘Walfrid is the poignant, authoritative account of an Irish migrant who transformed society by his dedication and commitment to the poor. Dr Michael Connelly has provided a narrative that goes well beyond the Celtic story, with timeless thoughts for this age as well as of years past.
Bart McGettrick

‘In this biography, Dr Michael Connolly explores Walfrid in the context of late Victorian Scottish life and in the process explains the reasons why Celtic, a football institution in Scotland as well as a socio-cultural Irish diasporic symbol, means so much to so many. This book adds to knowledge and understanding of charity, education, Catholicism, Irishness and football in modern Scotland and further afield.’
Dr Joseph M Bradley University of Edinburgh

‘This is a story which requires telling and re-telling down the generations and Michael Connolly has made an outstanding contribution to that endeavour.’
Jeanette Findlay, Chair, Coiste Cuimhneachain An Gorta Mòr
(Famine Memorial Committee)

‘The book engages deeply with the masculine worlds of Catholic religious Brothers and football players but it also explores struggles to support Irish multigenerational immigrant communities with education and basic living needs.’
Bronwen Walter Emerita Professor of Irish Diaspora Studies Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge

‘A charitable conscience and a caring work ethic are attributes that helped Brother Walfrid create one of the most powerful charitable sports organisations in the world. Michael Connolly’s fascinating account of his life will help deliver that mission globally.’
Paul McStay, former Celtic and Scotland captain