Bringing Brother Walfrid’s story to life

THE remarkable story of the man whose charitable work led to the birth of Celtic Football Club is to be brought to the stage in a new Glasgow production.

Walfrid will run at Cottiers in Glasgow’s West End from March 11 to 14, 2027, telling the life story of Andrew Kerins—better known as Brother Walfrid—from his childhood in Sligo through to his work among Glasgow’s Irish immigrant community and the creation of Celtic.

The play has been written by retired Renfrewshire primary teacher and lifelong Celtic supporter Edmund Kelly, who believes much of Walfrid’s story remains unfamiliar even to supporters of the club he helped create.

The production traces his journey from Sligo to Glasgow and his work within a community facing severe poverty and prejudice. It also tells how the efforts of Walfrid, supported by figures from the worlds of medicine and business, eventually led from a humble school kitchen to the creation of one of world football’s best-known and most successful clubs.

“Walfrid's story is largely unknown,” Edmund told The Irish Voice. “I know folk who still think he was a priest who was sent to Glasgow to teach at St Mary’s. No spoilers, but none of that is true. Neither did he leave Glasgow to work in London's East End! He did go there at some point... then he moved on to another project.

“This play tells his entire life story. From boyhood in Sligo to his death.

“Celtic only occupied five of his 60 years service. However, as the play shows, he remained Celtic daft all his life. He had a wonderful method to get the scores every Saturday night.

“At the risk of sounding like Lord Reith, I want to educate and entertain. However, I also want to inspire our fan base and club to keep his charitable aims alive. The Foundation are doing a marvellous job doing just that.

“Celtic have the most inspiring and attractive origin story in world football. And it has never been told in this detail. So, here it is.”

The script itself was a labour of love. Kelly wrote much of it before beginning his working day, getting up at 5am twice a week and heading to coffee shops or McDonald’s in Linwood. The routine continued for three years, with McDonald’s employees even putting a ‘reserved’ sign on his usual table when they saw him arriving.

The production is being directed and produced by Paul Moore, whose previous stage work includes The Provvy Woman and Meet Me At Boots Corner.

Having spent 30 years as a teacher at Our Lady of Peace Primary in Linwood before retiring in June 2025, and being an active Celtic supporter through his whole life, Edmund Kelly was already a well-known figure in the lives of many of the Irish community, but now with a new work ready to launch he will become familiar to an even wider audience as he shines a new and dramatic light on the man who started Celtic.