A Young Hibernian and The Tail End of The Irish Diaspora - Keen To Know More

[Iggy Pope]

I come in peace with this. Not starting any sort of religious debate or flag-waving, and certainly not attempting 'uberness'. If that's a word. Another thread got me to thinking about this and I'm keen to hear from other Hibs.netters who might share my story, or have a story similar or one of an entirely different context. I don't have any surviving immediate family that can add meat to my story.
Please, if you object, don't turn the thread into a slanging match centred around the Old Firm. I'm not trying to offend anyone and I know as much as anyone that our club belongs to all of us regardless of race, colour or creed.

I'm not Irish. Don't let the thread title mislead. My mother was born and raised in a Canongate tenement (above the White Horse pub) by her Irish mother. Her father was estranged. He was Edinburgh born from a family of jewellers and I think the term 'selling the family silver' might have been coined for him. I never knew either of her parents and need to know more about them.
My father on the other hand came from Leith / Newhaven stock. His father faced a fight to avoid losing his son (and another daughter) to conversion to Catholicism. He failed both times. For context, this wasn't yesterday. My paternal Grandfather was born in 1887 (a fine year) and my Grandmother in 1892. By the 1950s they had lived through two World wars coming with political turmoil and movements like Protestant Action,. Their bigotry was ingrained. They were anti-Irish and anti-Catholic and I would loved to have spoken to my Hibs-supporting grandfather about all of this as he must have had some stories (Resentment aside he would have been 15 in 1902.....). He was too old and ill by the time I came to know him. They mellowed though and grew to love my Mum, my sister and me and we loved them back. For all those differences my Father cried for ages on the night his old man died. And in his illness, my mother had cared for the man who had once resented her existence so much.

Anyway, back to me (and the Hibs). I spent my formative years in that tenement. It wasn't the slum we read of that existed in 'Little Ireland' around the end of the 19th and early 20th Century. But it was a basic room and kitchen with no bathroom and an outside toilet shared by every dwelling on the landing. I'll never know how my music-loving teenage sister survived this situation. It was a world away from The Beatles and The Stones. Regeneration had not yet arrived, although I should have felt privileged to be able to look over on the Queens cortege parading up and down the Royal Mile from the front facing window. In my later teenage years I would gladly have used that window to pee on the assembly below, but let's not go down that road.
I was schooled at the local St Annes / St Patricks primary and attended St Patricks church. So there it is. My Mother and Father had been married in that church and like the Hibs, I was baptised there. I made my first communion there and was confirmed there, taking Patrick as my confirmation name. Cardinal Gray himself remarked when confirming me into the church on how fitting it was I had taken the name of the Glorious Saint of our Isle, our church and our school. It of course had more to do with our Glorious No 4.
Celebrations were held at St Mary's Street hall just as they had been for our fledgling football club. Our paths were already the same.

Football at that school meant only two things. Hibs or Celtic. Playtimes consisted of massive side ups comprising of one tribe against the other. And they were keenly contested. A whole load of kids at St Pats were Irish, no question. They had mums and dads who met them at the gates with Irish accents, soft and hard. Every 17th March these were the kids with the bright emerald favours in their lapels and I have to admit I somehow envied them. St Patricks day was a celebration. Not the worldwide drinking festival that the Guinness corporation have made it now (and I like a drink), but a morning class that consisted of a few verses of the school hymn ('Hail Glorious Saint Patrick') followed by mass, followed by a half day. It was keenly awaited and to this day I still get a kick out of the date on the calendar.
No one spoke of 'Plastic Paddies' in these days. That would have been met with retribution. And although I envied them their colours I was less keen of the Irish Dancing lessons and accordion practice that they all had to attend. The majority of these Irish kids were Celtic no question. And so were the Priests. But this was a school full of Scots too as well as Italian, Polish and Ukranian immigrant children.
The school also suffered from bomb threats. It was the height of the troubles and people still chose to hate. The school was evacuated on more than one occasion.

Of course, the names James Connolly was linked to the community. In these days you could still view his plaque in the Cowgate. My mother's brother married into his extended family and for all the doubt and debate about whether this proud socialist and rebel had ever been a Hibernian, I can tell you for sure there is at least one regular poster on here who can trace a family line back to him.

My family were relocated. We were re-housed into a corporation block on Easter Road just on the Leith side of the old boundary. The house had a proper toilet but more importantly it backed on to the Holy Ground. I continued to follow that golden path.
Relocation was good for me. I was able to stay at school as it was a short commute on a No 1 bus. Others had a different experience as they were moved further afield to other schemes and getting back in to the old town wouldn't prove practical.
I met my life friends there (not all of them Hibbies and none of them catholic). I met my wife there in time. The biggest impact the move made on my whole life though would be to further fuse the bond between the boy and his football team. From the back window I could see the top of the magical terracing if I stood on the kitchen bunker.

Life got less insular. I commuted back and forward from that south end of Leith to the old town and back. I never encountered much bigotry and if I did it was mild to my mind. I understood at an early age that there were differences and I tried not to let them affect me but they stayed with me.
By the time I gravitated to secondary (St Thomas of Aquins. 1975. 'Year Zero' for boys attendance) I was leaving Little Ireland well behind and now meeting new mates who came from feeder areas like Tollcross and Fountainbridge, Broughton, Oxgangs (where my sister later had relocated) and even the much Leithier parts of Leith!. Suddenly the football world wasn't habituated by only men in green. The awareness of something Irish in all of it became diluted and would only raise it's head when talking football. Either romantically, when waxing about the past tradition of our great football club, it's name and it's colours, or when facing hostility and ignorance.
As far as church went I wasn't attending St Patricks now I was going to St Mary's Start of The Sea in Constitution Street. The place our club had been saved and re-born. Again I had taken their route.

We all move on. I soon stopped attending church. Youth culture and punk rock became obsessions and we take drink and do lots of other things that don't include going to bloody church. But nothing I did was possessive enough to take the place of the football club etched into my being.

My football club and me share the same genetic map.
We are both Scots, Edinburgh born with a little help from the Irish (more than a little in the club's case) and neither of us can really call ourselves Leithers although we both have a lot of love there.

Their story is much more interesting though.

[Hibeewilly]

A good read mate - thanks for sharing your story

[andybev1]

:thumbsup: good read

[wpj]

Nice wee history there Iggy. We all came to Hibernian through different routes but are all ultimately glad we arrived here.

[Baldy Foghorn]

Great opening post. Love reading posts like that.

[Eyrie]

Excellent and interesting read. I like the way you show how you're proud of your roots without being in thrall to them.

[Pretty Boy]

Great read.

Your family story struck a chord with me as it bears more than a passing resemblance to my own with regards to anti-Catholic feelings from one side. Somewhat ironically my Grandfather on that side played for Hibs for many years, despite his ill disguised prejudices. I think in some ways that contributed to me playing up to both my Catholic and, very distant, Irish roots when I was younger and dafter. Thinking back that wasn't fair on my Dad who was estranged from his family for years because he didn't share their bigotry.

I've always been proud to be able to say I'm a Hibs fans and whilst I'm slowly learning to accept my faith again the two are now firmly exclusive of each other.

[Albanian Hibs]

😀

[Just Jimmy]

Your story is interesting Iggy. a good read. apart from Hibernian we have little in common, I enjoyed it none the less.

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[The Harp]

Thoroughly enjoyed your opening post Iggy, well done. My family story is similar - my maternal grandmother was born in the Cowgate to Irish parents in 1872. Her mother died when she was less than 3 months old, leaving my gt. grandfather to bring up 2 young sons and a baby on his own. I would like to think he had a connection to Hibs but he would've had other priorities.
Love reading threads like this on Hibs.net. Well done for starting it.

[Brizo]

Great read.

Your post sums up pride in our origins but also pride in us being an inclusive club for all.

Theres a definite book to be written about the Edinburgh Irish diaspora. I understand Alan Lugton had loads of material that didn't make his trilogy because it was more to do with the Little Ireland community than the Hibs. Maybe we'll see it in print one day.

Iggy if your keen to know more, the first few chapters of "the Life and times of James Connolly" by Desmond C Greaves give a lot of detail about life in Little Ireland 150 years ago.

[Bostonhibby]

Great read, recognise bits of your story in my own journey around Edinburgh in the early years. Hibs and Hibs folk were the constants. Still are.

Sent from my SM-J320FN using Tapatalk

[SouthsideHarp_Bhoy]

Good read - and like othet posters above, not dissimilar to my own family.

My faither was born in blackfriars st and went to st annes, st pats. He once told me he remembers a line of people spitting on him amd his classmates on their way to their first communion at st pats church.

My great uncle was one of the local parishioners who used to come out with a kosh to defend st pats when the protestant action mobs attacked it in the 30s.

My maternal side were proud leithers born and bred but supported hearts for religious reasons, and there was always a tension that my mother had married a catholic from what was then, a pretty rough part of town i believe.

I have a few bits and pieces of writing and research that i would be happy to share with you - PM me.

Also, another great uncle recalled st paddys day as 'scots or irish day', and that all the kids in his street / school would make wee sticks and ask people if they were scots or irish- if they replied scots, they got a whack. Young bigots that they were...😀

Pleased to say that all were proud hibernians except for one branch of thd family that fell to the lesser greens.

Incidentally, my old man swears there werent a lot of celtic fans until after Lisbon, when their glory hunting support really took off - i dont know how true that is though.

[NAE NOOKIE]

Good read - and like othet posters above, not dissimilar to my own family.

My faither was born in blackfriars st and went to st annes, st pats. He once told me he remembers a line of people spitting on him amd his classmates on their way to their first communion at st pats church.

My great uncle was one of the local parishioners who used to come out with a kosh to defend st pats when the protestant action mobs attacked it in the 30s.

My maternal side were proud leithers born and bred but supported hearts for religious reasons, and there was always a tension that my mother had married a catholic from what was then, a pretty rough part of town i believe.

I have a few bits and pieces of writing and research that i would be happy to share with you - PM me.

Also, another great uncle recalled st paddys day as 'scots or irish day', and that all the kids in his street / school would make wee sticks and ask people if they were scots or irish- if they replied scots, they got a whack. Young bigots that they were...😀

Pleased to say that all were proud hibernians except for one branch of thd family that fell to the lesser greens.

Incidentally, my old man swears there werent a lot of celtic fans until after Lisbon, when their glory hunting support really took off - i dont know how true that is though.

From my own experience I would say there is a lot of truth in that. In 1967 I was a pupil at Leith Links primary and within days of Celtic winning the European cup the number of folk who had suddenly become Celtic fans was noticeable, unfortunately I was one of them, a sad flirtation with the dark side which ended in 1975.

A very interesting read from Iggy and he does a good job of putting forward a historical angle without giving a window of opportunity which would allow arguments about how 'Irish' the club should or shouldn't be, not something that's required ........ on this thread at least.

For my part, though I cant claim any links that I'm aware of to the community which founded the club I am almost a living copy of the clubs story. I was born in Edinburgh and my maternal grandfather was Irish, the first place I lived in Edinburgh was Leith my family having moved there from Kirkliston in the early 60s ..... my mum ( Patricia McGowan ) was incredibly proud of her Irish roots and would sing endless Irish ditties, not folk songs but almost always misty eyed Irish songs from Hollywood movies almost certainly written by folk who had probably never been to Ireland, never mind a claim to any Irish heritage.

I have to say that as a proud Scot and someone who is extremely proud to have been born in Edinburgh my mum's devotion to her Irish background to the total exclusion of her Scottish birthplace was a source of irritation to me over the years and probably explains to a certain extent my attitude when the 'how Irish should Hibs be' discussion does come up :greengrin

[superfurryhibby]

Fantastic post Iggy, a great read.

I'm really very interested in social history and find the differences around how football and religion interacted in our two main cities fascinating. The rise of political protestant extremism in Edinburgh ( Leith) during the 1930's created tremendous tensions and the extent of it's popularity can't be underestimated. There is an article here https://www.academia.edu/1079621/A_Very_Edinburgh_Riot?ends_sutd_reg_path=true which provides a lot more detail on some aspects of anti catholicism in the city.

[SouthsideHarp_Bhoy]

Fantastic post Iggy, a great read.

I'm really very interested in social history and find the differences around how football and religion interacted in our two main cities fascinating. The rise of political protestant extremism in Edinburgh ( Leith) during the 1930's created tremendous tensions and the extent of it's popularity can't be underestimated. There is an article here https://www.academia.edu/1079621/A_Very_Edinburgh_Riot?ends_sutd_reg_path=true which provides a lot more detail on some aspects of anti catholicism in the city.

I think that up until the BNP in the 2000s, they were the most successful extremist party in (mainland) britains electoral history.

[One Day Soon]

Excellent post, really enjoyed reading that.

[Iggy Pope]

First of all nice words everyone and I'm glad it made an interesting read.




Great read.

Your post sums up pride in our origins but also pride in us being an inclusive club for all.

Theres a definite book to be written about the Edinburgh Irish diaspora. I understand Alan Lugton had loads of material that didn't make his trilogy because it was more to do with the Little Ireland community than the Hibs. Maybe we'll see it in print one day.

Iggy if your keen to know more, the first few chapters of "the Life and times of James Connolly" by Desmond C Greaves give a lot of detail about life in Little Ireland 150 years ago.


Brizo, I'll look it up, thanks. Bear in mind it's not me that has the link to Connolly, it's a relative of mine. I only have admiration.
The Lugton work is invaluable and it would be great to see his other material come to light.



Good read - and like othet posters above, not dissimilar to my own family.

My faither was born in blackfriars st and went to st annes, st pats. He once told me he remembers a line of people spitting on him amd his classmates on their way to their first communion at st pats church.

My great uncle was one of the local parishioners who used to come out with a kosh to defend st pats when the protestant action mobs attacked it in the 30s.

My maternal side were proud leithers born and bred but supported hearts for religious reasons, and there was always a tension that my mother had married a catholic from what was then, a pretty rough part of town i believe.

I have a few bits and pieces of writing and research that i would be happy to share with you - PM me.

Also, another great uncle recalled st paddys day as 'scots or irish day', and that all the kids in his street / school would make wee sticks and ask people if they were scots or irish- if they replied scots, they got a whack. Young bigots that they were...😀

Pleased to say that all were proud hibernians except for one branch of thd family that fell to the lesser greens.

Incidentally, my old man swears there werent a lot of celtic fans until after Lisbon, when their glory hunting support really took off - i dont know how true that is though.

I'd love to read what you have SSHB and I'll PM you in a bit. My mother had family born in both Blackfriars Street and Dicksons Close which was flattened by Niddry Street and later The Scandic Hotel...

[Is It On....]

Fantastic post Iggy, a great read.

I'm really very interested in social history and find the differences around how football and religion interacted in our two main cities fascinating. The rise of political protestant extremism in Edinburgh ( Leith) during the 1930's created tremendous tensions and the extent of it's popularity can't be underestimated. There is an article here https://www.academia.edu/1079621/A_Very_Edinburgh_Riot?ends_sutd_reg_path=true which provides a lot more detail on some aspects of anti catholicism in the city.

I looked up the book referenced in the paper by P Gallagher - Edinburgh Divided - published in 1987 but it's about £50 a copy. Is it worth reading / do you have a PDF copy?

[660]

Great thread here regarding Hibs origins and history:

https://foot.ie/threads/11886-Hibernian-FC-and-there-place-in-Irish-History

[madsen5]

I come in peace with this. Not starting any sort of religious debate or flag-waving, and certainly not attempting 'uberness'. If that's a word. Another thread got me to thinking about this and I'm keen to hear from other Hibs.netters who might share my story, or have a story similar or one of an entirely different context. I don't have any surviving immediate family that can add meat to my story.
Please, if you object, don't turn the thread into a slanging match centred around the Old Firm. I'm not trying to offend anyone and I know as much as anyone that our club belongs to all of us regardless of race, colour or creed.

I'm not Irish. Don't let the thread title mislead. My mother was born and raised in a Canongate tenement (above the White Horse pub) by her Irish mother. Her father was estranged. He was Edinburgh born from a family of jewellers and I think the term 'selling the family silver' might have been coined for him. I never knew either of her parents and need to know more about them.
My father on the other hand came from Leith / Newhaven stock. His father faced a fight to avoid losing his son (and another daughter) to conversion to Catholicism. He failed both times. For context, this wasn't yesterday. My paternal Grandfather was born in 1887 (a fine year) and my Grandmother in 1892. By the 1950s they had lived through two World wars coming with political turmoil and movements like Protestant Action,. Their bigotry was ingrained. They were anti-Irish and anti-Catholic and I would loved to have spoken to my Hibs-supporting grandfather about all of this as he must have had some stories (Resentment aside he would have been 15 in 1902.....). He was too old and ill by the time I came to know him. They mellowed though and grew to love my Mum, my sister and me and we loved them back. For all those differences my Father cried for ages on the night his old man died. And in his illness, my mother had cared for the man who had once resented her existence so much.

Anyway, back to me (and the Hibs). I spent my formative years in that tenement. It wasn't the slum we read of that existed in 'Little Ireland' around the end of the 19th and early 20th Century. But it was a basic room and kitchen with no bathroom and an outside toilet shared by every dwelling on the landing. I'll never know how my music-loving teenage sister survived this situation. It was a world away from The Beatles and The Stones. Regeneration had not yet arrived, although I should have felt privileged to be able to look over on the Queens cortege parading up and down the Royal Mile from the front facing window. In my later teenage years I would gladly have used that window to pee on the assembly below, but let's not go down that road.
I was schooled at the local St Annes / St Patricks primary and attended St Patricks church. So there it is. My Mother and Father had been married in that church and like the Hibs, I was baptised there. I made my first communion there and was confirmed there, taking Patrick as my confirmation name. Cardinal Gray himself remarked when confirming me into the church on how fitting it was I had taken the name of the Glorious Saint of our Isle, our church and our school. It of course had more to do with our Glorious No 4.
Celebrations were held at St Mary's Street hall just as they had been for our fledgling football club. Our paths were already the same.

Football at that school meant only two things. Hibs or Celtic. Playtimes consisted of massive side ups comprising of one tribe against the other. And they were keenly contested. A whole load of kids at St Pats were Irish, no question. They had mums and dads who met them at the gates with Irish accents, soft and hard. Every 17th March these were the kids with the bright emerald favours in their lapels and I have to admit I somehow envied them. St Patricks day was a celebration. Not the worldwide drinking festival that the Guinness corporation have made it now (and I like a drink), but a morning class that consisted of a few verses of the school hymn ('Hail Glorious Saint Patrick') followed by mass, followed by a half day. It was keenly awaited and to this day I still get a kick out of the date on the calendar.
No one spoke of 'Plastic Paddies' in these days. That would have been met with retribution. And although I envied them their colours I was less keen of the Irish Dancing lessons and accordion practice that they all had to attend. The majority of these Irish kids were Celtic no question. And so were the Priests. But this was a school full of Scots too as well as Italian, Polish and Ukranian immigrant children.
The school also suffered from bomb threats. It was the height of the troubles and people still chose to hate. The school was evacuated on more than one occasion.

Of course, the names James Connolly was linked to the community. In these days you could still view his plaque in the Cowgate. My mother's brother married into his extended family and for all the doubt and debate about whether this proud socialist and rebel had ever been a Hibernian, I can tell you for sure there is at least one regular poster on here who can trace a family line back to him.

My family were relocated. We were re-housed into a corporation block on Easter Road just on the Leith side of the old boundary. The house had a proper toilet but more importantly it backed on to the Holy Ground. I continued to follow that golden path.
Relocation was good for me. I was able to stay at school as it was a short commute on a No 1 bus. Others had a different experience as they were moved further afield to other schemes and getting back in to the old town wouldn't prove practical.
I met my life friends there (not all of them Hibbies and none of them catholic). I met my wife there in time. The biggest impact the move made on my whole life though would be to further fuse the bond between the boy and his football team. From the back window I could see the top of the magical terracing if I stood on the kitchen bunker.

Life got less insular. I commuted back and forward from that south end of Leith to the old town and back. I never encountered much bigotry and if I did it was mild to my mind. I understood at an early age that there were differences and I tried not to let them affect me but they stayed with me.
By the time I gravitated to secondary (St Thomas of Aquins. 1975. 'Year Zero' for boys attendance) I was leaving Little Ireland well behind and now meeting new mates who came from feeder areas like Tollcross and Fountainbridge, Broughton, Oxgangs (where my sister later had relocated) and even the much Leithier parts of Leith!. Suddenly the football world wasn't habituated by only men in green. The awareness of something Irish in all of it became diluted and would only raise it's head when talking football. Either romantically, when waxing about the past tradition of our great football club, it's name and it's colours, or when facing hostility and ignorance.
As far as church went I wasn't attending St Patricks now I was going to St Mary's Start of The Sea in Constitution Street. The place our club had been saved and re-born. Again I had taken their route.

We all move on. I soon stopped attending church. Youth culture and punk rock became obsessions and we take drink and do lots of other things that don't include going to bloody church. But nothing I did was possessive enough to take the place of the football club etched into my being.

My football club and me share the same genetic map.
We are both Scots, Edinburgh born with a little help from the Irish (more than a little in the club's case) and neither of us can really call ourselves Leithers although we both have a lot of love there.

Their story is much more interesting though.

Excellent my mother's family stayed at
22 Holyrood road and my grandad local was
The Holyrood tavern right across the road
I stayed there until I was 4 . Small
World .

[offshorehibby]

I looked up the book referenced in the paper by P Gallagher - Edinburgh Divided - published in 1987 but it's about £50 a copy. Is it worth reading / do you have a PDF copy?


I managed to bag a copy via ebay many years ago, if people ever get a chance to read it then do it's a great bit of history of the time and scary that it happened on the streets of Edinburgh in the recent past.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Great thread here regarding Hibs origins and history:

https://foot.ie/threads/11886-Hibernian-FC-and-there-place-in-Irish-History

Nice to see a nonsense spouting Celtic fan well and truly put in his place there

[superfurryhibby]

I looked up the book referenced in the paper by P Gallagher - Edinburgh Divided - published in 1987 but it's about £50 a copy. Is it worth reading / do you have a PDF copy?

Haven't read it, so can't say.

I did come across a close relative of John Cormack at one point in my life. He followed the family tradition when it came to bigotry.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edinburgh-Divided-Tom-Gallagher/dp/0948275405

[Iggy Pope]

Great thread here regarding Hibs origins and history:

https://foot.ie/threads/11886-Hibernian-FC-and-there-place-in-Irish-History

Slov Sam, the originator of that thread, was a poster on here too around about the time in question.

[superfurryhibby]

Slov Sam, the originator of that thread, was a poster on here too around about the time in question.

It's a classic debate and should be saved and made ready for use whenever necessary. I was on a fans forum recently when the same old Tom Kite was being aired.

[Joe6-2]

My mother came from Irish catholic background, when I was three my parents moved to Glasgow, dads job, while there we sometimes had to hide the fact we were catholics. In Glasgow at the time jobs could be advertised in newspapers saying Catholics need not apply!! This was in the sixties!!!
No wonder there was I’ll feeling, just sad that its carried on into modern times

[heidtheba]

This is a really, really interesting thread and I'm loving the stories here.
I've no Hibs background at all but I'm a local school teacher and I have my own wee tour guide company. Last year I wrote a tour about Victorian poverty in the Old Town and a few posters here were helpful enough to point me in the direction of some books about 'Little Ireland'. I added in a whole pile of my own research and all I can say is that it's a truly fascinating period in our history - one we should all be a lot more aware of.
One of my poverty sources tells of a man going back to his home in the New Town and telling his friends that he even saw people who were living on the streets, one friend says they couldn't believe that would be the case. It was 1895... Most of the adult tours I do on the Victorians see all the proceeds going to the Streetwork charity. Seemed more than appropriate.
The Hibs story is really interesting as (and maybe I'm being all 'primary teacher-ish' over it) it shows a really proactive approach to discrimination against first/second/third generation immigrants. Very relevant to today.
On that note, I'd love Hearts playing us and breaking the embargo to have some kind of 'socially correct', 'right thing to do' type story behind it. Anyone know?

[superfurryhibby]

This is a really, really interesting thread and I'm loving the stories here.
I've no Hibs background at all but I'm a local school teacher and I have my own wee tour guide company. Last year I wrote a tour about Victorian poverty in the Old Town and a few posters here were helpful enough to point me in the direction of some books about 'Little Ireland'. I added in a whole pile of my own research and all I can say is that it's a truly fascinating period in our history - one we should all be a lot more aware of.
One of my poverty sources tells of a man going back to his home in the New Town and telling his friends that he even saw people who were living on the streets, one friend says they couldn't believe that would be the case. It was 1895... Most of the adult tours I do on the Victorians see all the proceeds going to the Streetwork charity. Seemed more than appropriate.
The Hibs story is really interesting as (and maybe I'm being all 'primary teacher-ish' over it) it shows a really proactive approach to discrimination against first/second/third generation immigrants. Very relevant to today.
On that note, I'd love Hearts playing us and breaking the embargo to have some kind of 'socially correct', 'right thing to do' type story behind it. Anyone know?

Our first ever game was against them. This was fairly "right thing to do". I believe they were also instrumental in getting us admitted to the Edinburgh FA and they also provided regular canon fodder to us enroute to winning said associations trophy, which finally made it back to Hibernian after a century on loan to St Patrick's church.

[Peevemor]

My dad's grandparents were Irish catholic immigrants who lived (I think) on Bothwell Street. They definitely had a link to the club as my grandmother apparently darned the jerseys. Sadly, as things turned out I'll never know any more detail. In short, their son (my grandfather) married my grandmother, had my dad, then got divorced.

My Dad was brought up in the Dean Village (not a des res in those days) and eventually moved to Stenhouse Cross when his mum remarried (a hearts supporter). Therefore the paternal grandparents I grew up knowing had no link to Hibs or Ireland.

My mum moved from Forres to Edinburgh for work and my Parents met at the Palais in Fountainbridge (same as half of Edinburgh).

I was born at Simpsons and raised in Kingsknowe, attending Longstone primary then Firrhill. All this time it was my mum's protestant faith which took the upper hand (basically my Dad couldn't care less) and I was raised very much Church of Scotland and did the whole BB thing, including weekly bible class and parading behind the "Queen's Colours".

I was always a hibee (because my Dad was) but, in my circles, we were very much a minority.

When I was about 18, I got home one Sunday night about 11.00pm and was surprised to find that my dad wasn't home. My mum explained that his father had been given the last rites and that he was away to see him.

This was the Irish immigrants son who was divorced from my Stenhouse resident grandmother.

I didn't even know the guy existed! I knew that my "grandad" wasn't my Dad's dad, but I never once thought to pose the question. I just assumed that my real grandad was dead.

In any case, it was the only time that my dad ever pissed me off. The thought that I had a grandparent living in Edinburgh that I didn't even know was pretty hard to take, especially one who was a direct line to my Irish heritage (a badge I was wearing more and more on my journey through adolescence).

Anyway, it's done now, but to the best of my ability I'll make sure that my daughters (born in France with a Breton mum, Scottish dad and an Irish surname that nobody can pronounce correctly) know exactly where they come from.

[Canon Hannan]

A great read Iggy. Really enjoyed that.

[SouthsideHarp_Bhoy]

My dad's grandparents were Irish catholic immigrants who lived (I think) on Bothwell Street. They definitely had a link to the club as my grandmother apparently darned the jerseys. Sadly, as things turned out I'll never know any more detail. In short, their son (my grandfather) married my grandmother, had my dad, then got divorced.

My Dad was brought up in the Dean Village (not a des res in those days) and eventually moved to Stenhouse Cross when his mum remarried (a hearts supporter). Therefore the paternal grandparents I grew up knowing had no link to Hibs or Ireland.

My mum moved from Forres to Edinburgh for work and my Parents met at the Palais in Fountainbridge (same as half of Edinburgh).

I was born at Simpsons and raised in Kingsknowe, attending Longstone primary then Firrhill. All this time it was my mum's protestant faith which took the upper hand (basically my Dad couldn't care less) and I was raised very much Church of Scotland and did the whole BB thing, including weekly bible class and parading behind the "Queen's Colours".

I was always a hibee (because my Dad was) but, in my circles, we were very much a minority.

When I was about 18, I got home one Sunday night about 11.00pm and was surprised to find that my dad wasn't home. My mum explained that his father had been given the last rites and that he was away to see him.

This was the Irish immigrants son who was divorced from my Stenhouse resident grandmother.

I didn't even know the guy existed! I knew that my "grandad" wasn't my Dad's dad, but I never once thought to pose the question. I just assumed that my real grandad was dead.

In any case, it was the only time that my dad ever pissed me off. The thought that I had a grandparent living in Edinburgh that I didn't even know was pretty hard to take, especially one who was a direct line to my Irish heritage (a badge I was wearing more and more on my journey through adolescence).

Anyway, it's done now, but to the best of my ability I'll make sure that my daughters (born in France with a Breton mum, Scottish dad and an Irish surname that nobody can pronounce correctly) know exactly where they come from.

Its one of the perversities of family history, that we find out things (eithrr by starting to take an interst or by accident) sp often when it is too late to ask more about it.

[Aubenas]

Great read, Iggy, and well written - ye must have had some English teacher.....:wink:

[esjorto]

Very enjoyable and well crafted read.
Thanks for sharing.

[The Harp]

Some great family histories on this thread.
I mentioned earlier that my grandmother was born in the Cowgate to Irish parents and had lost her mother before she was 3 months old. How my gt. grandfather managed to raise her and her 2 brothers on his own in the days before the welfare state amazes me, but that's exactly what he did. My grannie went to St Patrick's school and attended St. Pat's church. However, as was common at that time, she dropped her religion when she married my grandad, who was a protestant, but not a practising one. They went on to have a large family and at least one of their sons became a member of Protestant Action.
The ironic thing is my mother met my dad who was a Scouser, and also of Irish descent, and converted to Catholicism when they married.

[Bishop Hibee]

Good read. Our family has a picture of my Great-grandfather’s class at St Patrick’s with a very stern looking Canon Hannan standing alongside. No uniform in those days. My paternal side of the family have followed Hibs since 1875.

[Iggy Pope]

Good read. Our family has a picture of my Great-grandfather’s class at St Patrick’s with a very stern looking Canon Hannan standing alongside. No uniform in those days. My paternal side of the family have followed Hibs since 1875.

Long shot but are there any names on the picture?

[Iggy Pope]

Great read, Iggy, and well written - ye must have had some English teacher.....:wink:

Day made, Sir.
Day made.

[Is It On....]

Fantastic post Iggy, a great read.

I'm really very interested in social history and find the differences around how football and religion interacted in our two main cities fascinating. The rise of political protestant extremism in Edinburgh ( Leith) during the 1930's created tremendous tensions and the extent of it's popularity can't be underestimated. There is an article here https://www.academia.edu/1079621/A_Very_Edinburgh_Riot?ends_sutd_reg_path=true which provides a lot more detail on some aspects of anti catholicism in the city.

Download the article. What a ****bag Cormack was but seems he was tolerated by the establishment. The 30s seems a long time ago but my dad was born in to a "mixed" marriage in the early 1940s so it's all a bit too real.

[GreenLake]

Very interesting. If you write a book I will buy it.

[Iggy Pope]

Very interesting. If you write a book I will buy it.

Ta. If I do, you won't have to.

[brog]

Day made, Sir.
Day made.

Lovely thread & great OP. Iggy, we share much in common with our family background. I was born in St Mary's St & like you I lived in a house with an outside wc shared by 3 or 4 families. Our window looked out on Gullans Close, i guess pretty much looking at your house. By coincidence I was today reading material left to me by my dad. I'm coming up to Edinburgh on Friday for my dad's brother's funeral, my last remaining relative from that generation. My dad's notes contained several references to Cormack, they were on the council together at one time, & I can remember fights at the Mound where Cormack used to preach, or spout vitriol, on a Sunday night. My grandad was born in the same month & year as our beloved club, December 1875. Strangely he was a lukewarm Hibby but his dad was one of the original Hibernians & then Father Edward Hannan officiated at his wedding in 1873. I have the marriage certificate signed by our founder. I also share the same St Ann's/St Pat's background as you though I decamped to Leith & Holy X after a year or two. A separate post mentions the trophies that were held at St Pats. I'm proud to say I was with Gerry Docherty, doing research for 100 Years of Hibs, when we discovered & helped restore those beautiful trophies. I'm a tad melancholic just now with the passing of a generation but posting here has been cathartic. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my story with our diverse Hibs family.

[Iggy Pope]

Lovely thread & great OP. Iggy, we share much in common with our family background. I was born in St Mary's St & like you I lived in a house with an outside wc shared by 3 or 4 families. Our window looked out on Gullans Close, i guess pretty much looking at your house. By coincidence I was today reading material left to me by my dad. I'm coming up to Edinburgh on Friday for my dad's brother's funeral, my last remaining relative from that generation. My dad's notes contained several references to Cormack, they were on the council together at one time, & I can remember fights at the Mound where Cormack used to preach, or spout vitriol, on a Sunday night. My grandad was born in the same month & year as our beloved club, December 1875. Strangely he was a lukewarm Hibby but his dad was one of the original Hibernians & then Father Edward Hannan officiated at his wedding in 1873. I have the marriage certificate signed by our founder. I also share the same St Ann's/St Pat's background as you though I decamped to Leith & Holy X after a year or two. A separate post mentions the trophies that were held at St Pats. I'm proud to say I was with Gerry Docherty, doing research for 100 Years of Hibs, when we discovered & helped restore those beautiful trophies. I'm a tad melancholic just now with the passing of a generation but posting here has been cathartic. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my story with our diverse Hibs family.

Beautiful Brog, and these are the bits I was keen to learn more of. You'll also recall then, the stench of Croan Bee's which was all round that back close right around to Chessel's Court.....

Treasure those documents. I'm digging like a bear to find mine as I've not much to go on.

I wish I'd taped everything my mother had to say about Johnnie Cormack....


And 100 Years of Hibs was this young mans (greatly autographed) bible, so I owe great debt to your research.

[Bishop Hibee]

Long shot but are there any names on the picture?

Unfortunately no. Picture attached below.

20543

[Iggy Pope]

Unfortunately no. Picture attached below.

20543

Thank you. God only knows then! A remarkable photograph BH.

[Lancs Harp]

Thats a great read Iggy. My own back ground is very different, Im English, no Irish or Scottish roots (had a Welsh Grandfather), its interesting to read the "divide" in families and school, I havent a clue in my family who is Catholic or Protestant or whatever. I am aware some are of either persuasion but who falls into what category I honestly dont know (or care). I realise this is important to many but to me they are just labels, divisive labels but thats just my view. Im a proud Hibs fan and one of the many reasons for that is its inclusiveness, slightly anti establishment, bohemian feel to the club, love it. Cant stand the sectarianism of West Scotland or anywhere else for that matter.

As I said that was a great and very interesting read. :thumbsup:

[The Harp]

Unfortunately no. Picture attached below.

20543

Good to see that pic again, thanks BH. Saw it a while back on the St. Patrick's branch website. Any idea of the year the photo was taken? The reason I'm asking is because my grannie (Mary Walsh) started as a pupil at St Pat's school in 1877.

[penihibs]

[QUOTE=Iggy Pope;5365673]First of all nice words everyone and I'm glad it made an interesting read.


I was brought up in the Canongate and went to Milton House School.
Mixed marriage like many about then,my Mum's family lived on the High Street and where all Catholics and Hibs supporter's my father was a Hearts man but I chose the good guys.
Remember my mum telling me about all the trouble's with orange walks trying to walk down Blackfriars street and getting attacked and bombarded with missiles from the tenement's in the 1930s.
My Grandad who passed away before I was born regularly rushed down to St Pats church,they would ring the Church bell if it was in danger.
He also ran a football team called the Blackie Boys who played in Hibs strips, my jambo Dad went on to play for them with my Hibs supporting Uncle's so he could court my Mum,broke his heart! he had to wear the green shirt.
Have some photos somewhere with the team.Wish I had listened to my Mum's story's more now!!
Like lots of Hibs supporter's meeting at the Tron and walking down the Royal Mile led by a guy on a white horse unbelievable but true according to her.
Thanks for your post brought back some great memories.

[Babyshamble]

Fantastic story.I'm a 3rd generation of hibs fans.started with my grandad.we're from fife my grandad was a commando during ww2.based in Edinburgh.him& his mates had a day off & wanted to see a game of football.their barracks was near tynecastle so they went there.hearts were away that day so they went to Easter rd.Hibs were at home.that's why I'm a hibby.

[brog]

Beautiful Brog, and these are the bits I was keen to learn more of. You'll also recall then, the stench of Croan Bee's which was all round that back close right around to Chessel's Court.....

Treasure those documents. I'm digging like a bear to find mine as I've not much to go on.

I wish I'd taped everything my mother had to say about Johnnie Cormack....


And 100 Years of Hibs was this young mans (greatly autographed) bible, so I owe great debt to your research.

I remember the stench very well. Us wee boys playing footy in the backie & bluebottles the size of spitfires buzzing round our head! Ah, the good old days! Im off to Portugal straight after my Edinburgh visit but pm me if there's anything you think could help you with your research. Good luck!

[brog]

[QUOTE=Iggy Pope;5365673]First of all nice words everyone and I'm glad it made an interesting read.


I was brought up in the Canongate and went to Milton House School.
Mixed marriage like many about then,my Mum's family lived on the High Street and where all Catholics and Hibs supporter's my father was a Hearts man but I chose the good guys.
Remember my mum telling me about all the trouble's with orange walks trying to walk down Blackfriars street and getting attacked and bombarded with missiles from the tenement's in the 1930s.
My Grandad who passed away before I was born regularly rushed down to St Pats church,they would ring the Church bell if it was in danger.
He also ran a football team called the Blackie Boys who played in Hibs strips, my jambo Dad went on to play for them with my Hibs supporting Uncle's so he could court my Mum,broke his heart! he had to wear the green shirt.
Have some photos somewhere with the team.Wish I had listened to my Mum's story's more now!!
Like lots of Hibs supporter's meeting at the Tron and walking down the Royal Mile led by a guy on a white horse unbelievable but true according to her.
Thanks for your post brought back some great memories.

The Blackie Boys were still around though not as a football team, in the late 50's, early 60's. I used to play football at the Crossroads Club on a Sunday night with King Pat & John Greig amongst others who went on to play senior football. We almost had to walk the gauntlet of the Blackie Boys to get in & out though, as you can imagine, Pat took no prisoners.

[hughio]

A very well written and interesting piece if I may say so.
Thank you.
I come from a Protestant background brought up amongst Rangers fans in Argyll but on seeing Hibs when I moved to Edinburgh aged 8 I was converted. The teams in 1960s and 70s were a joy and we regularly gave the big 2 a good game in front of 40K at Easter Road.

I was a bit confused by the Soldier Song and I'm no Billy Im a Tim stuff but that has receded over the years.

So glad that we have not succumbed to that West coast bigotry nonsense in spite of the regular invitations to do so from our Diet hun neighbours.
When they go low we go high.


:flag:

[majorhibs]

[QUOTE=Iggy Pope;5365673]First of all nice words everyone and I'm glad it made an interesting read.


I was brought up in the Canongate and went to Milton House School.
Mixed marriage like many about then,my Mum's family lived on the High Street and where all Catholics and Hibs supporter's my father was a Hearts man but I chose the good guys.
Remember my mum telling me about all the trouble's with orange walks trying to walk down Blackfriars street and getting attacked and bombarded with missiles from the tenement's in the 1930s.
My Grandad who passed away before I was born regularly rushed down to St Pats church,they would ring the Church bell if it was in danger.
He also ran a football team called the Blackie Boys who played in Hibs strips, my jambo Dad went on to play for them with my Hibs supporting Uncle's so he could court my Mum,broke his heart! he had to wear the green shirt.
Have some photos somewhere with the team.Wish I had listened to my Mum's story's more now!!
Like lots of Hibs supporter's meeting at the Tron and walking down the Royal Mile led by a guy on a white horse unbelievable but true according to her.
Thanks for your post brought back some great memories.

My old man once told me about how my Grandad & his schoolpals used to call theirselves the Blackie boys, they lived in Blackfriars St, & every morning they were supposed on the way to school, to try & walk by John Knox’s place (pulpit?) in the high St & try to spit at it & run away. As my Grandad boxed Pro in the 20s I’d imagine that had to be sometime around 1910 onwards.

[kaimendhibs]

I used to live in St Pat's schoolhouse. My dad was the jannie

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

[surreyhibbie]

Great read, Iggy

We have absolutely nothing in common. Apart from being part of the Hibs family of course!

Cheers, Bruv

:thumbsup:

[Scotty Leither]

I'd forgotten how fascinating a read your OP was, Iggy. I've traced my family roots way back to the Irish potato famine , and my great-great grandmother settling in Melrose, Selkitk, whereby her son made his way to the Cowgate and put roots down in "Little Ireland".

I'm in the early stages of compiling a history of the Coogate and Grassmarket through anecdotes and recollections from families that lived there.

Some of it is fascinating stuff, and your post evoked that spirit - I'll PM you if that's OK?

[Marcus]

[QUOTE=penihibs;5368790][QUOTE=Iggy Pope;5365673]First of all nice words everyone and I'm glad it made an interesting read.

Penihibs

I was brought up in the Pleasance and also went to Milton House Primary School.
Mixed marriage like many as you say. My Mum's family (non hibbys) lived in Niddrie Marschial and my Dad's in Craigmillar who were all Hibs supporter's.


Fond memories of those days but very dear and still ongoing memories of Hibernian.

GGTTH

[wazoo1875]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2BJKzyV3GpSD66swPg6Gr4h/the-football-team-formed-in-the-shadow-of-famine-that-fought-xenophobia-and-raised-money-for-impoverished-immigrants

[Dashing Bob S]

Come from a long line of dull, missionary position petit bourgeoise Murrayfield church of Scotland Jambos. In other words the dullest background one could possibly conceive.

No wonder I'm Hibs through and through.

No Irish blood whatsoever, but massively proud of the history of our great club.

[WhileTheChief..]

Cool thread.

[pollution]

I read the opening thread with not a small amount of envy.

Despite my parents being born in Leith and Stockbridge in the 1920's, I don't have one drop of Scottish blood in me as my four grandparents

were born in Italy. I always feel slightly envious when my friends talk about being Scottish. I am Scottish first and British too but I am physically Italian.

At least I have the in built facility to drink red wine like water....

[Scotty Leither]

Come from a long line of dull, missionary position petit bourgeoise Murrayfield church of Scotland Jambos. In other words the dullest background one could possibly conceive.

No wonder I'm Hibs through and through.

No Irish blood whatsoever, but massively proud of the history of our great club.

Any beige-cardigan wearing, Reader's Digest reading, 2nd hand Rover driving, buttoned-up Jambo looking at Dashing Bob's post, one word: THIS.

[penihibs]

[QUOTE=penihibs;5368790][QUOTE=Iggy Pope;5365673]First of all nice words everyone and I'm glad it made an interesting read.

Penihibs

I was brought up in the Pleasance and also went to Milton House Primary School.
Mixed marriage like many as you say. My Mum's family (non hibbys) lived in Niddrie Marschial and my Dad's in Craigmillar who were all Hibs supporter's.


Fond memories of those days but very dear and still ongoing memories of Hibernian.

GGTTH

I've hit the big 60 now maybe crossed paths,went on to Jimmy's up in St,Leonard's after that.

[Iggy Pope]

I used to live in St Pat's schoolhouse. My dad was the jannie

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

Was that the first St Pat’s? What years are you talking about my friend?

[Iggy Pope]

I read the opening thread with not a small amount of envy.

Despite my parents being born in Leith and Stockbridge in the 1920's, I don't have one drop of Scottish blood in me as my four grandparents

were born in Italy. I always feel slightly envious when my friends talk about being Scottish. I am Scottish first and British too but I am physically Italian.

At least I have the in built facility to drink red wine like water....

Schooled with lots of Italians over the years P. Where did you attend?

[Keith_M]

My background is what you might call 'mixed'.

Apparently, one of my ancestors on my mother's side founded the Orange Lodge in Airdrie, and the whole of that part of the family were members. My great-grandafather disagreed so strongly with bigotry that he moved to East Lothian to get away from them. His son, my maternal grandfather, grew up in Prestonpans and supported Hearts all his life. He stopped attending games in the early 70s because of the rise in sectarianism among some of the Hearts support (Hibs had an equivalent bunch but on the Republican side, so no point scoring intended).

My Father's side of the family are spread the length of East Lothian and and even have some streets in Tranent named after one of them. They are mostly Presbyterians (and Masons), though more than half of them support Hibs.

The only catholic relatives I have are the families that two of my aunties married into. One part supports Celtc and the others supported Hearts. The Hearts family are the only ones I'm related to that are definitely of Irish origin.

[Hibernia&Alba]

I enjoyed your post, Iggy, many thanks.

I also attended Catholic school, and it was also Hibs or Celtic. Glad to say it was majority Hibs, but there was a fair few glory-hunters. It's still just the same, according to my nieces and nephews. I can't recall a single Jambo at my school. The great thing is everyone is welcome at Easter Road. I've never been asked about my background by any Hibs fan, which should be the case at all times. It doesn't matter where anyone is from etc, it's a level playing field. Resilience is all you need, and plenty of it! :greengrin

[Hibernia&Alba]

My background is what you might call 'mixed'.

Apparently, one of my ancestors on my mother's side founded the Orange Lodge in Airdrie, and the whole of that part of the family were members. My great-grandafather disagreed so strongly with bigotry that he moved to East Lothian to get away from them. His son, my maternal grandfather, grew up in Prestonpans and supported Hearts all his life. He stopped attending games in the early 70s because of the rise in sectarianism among some of the Hearts support (Hibs had an equivalent bunch but on the Republican side, so no point scoring intended).

My Father's side of the family are spread the length of East Lothian and and even have some streets in Tranent named after one of them. They are mostly Presbyterians (and Masons), though more than half of them support Hibs.

The only catholic relatives I have are the families that two of my aunties married into. One part supports Celtc and the others supported Hearts. The Hearts family are the only ones I'm related to that are definitely of Irish origin.

Founded the Airdrie lodge! :greengrin

https://media.giphy.com/media/hGwvzBNwXDwlO/giphy.gif

[Smartie]

I recently did one of those DNA tests, and it turns out I'm 60% English.

****** that, I don't want to dig any deeper.

[The Harp Awakes]

Everyone has, or has had, 8 great grandparents. Of mine, 5 were Irish (Kellys from Co Kildare, O'Donnell's from Co Donegal and Coyles from Co Mayo), 2 were Scottish (from Edinburgh) and 1 was English (from Co Durham) who settled in Edinburgh whilst an engineer constructing the Forth Bridge.

My sister has done a massive amount of research into our family history. Unfortunately the predominate Irish side of my family is hard to trace due to lack of records. We did however manage to trace the Co Mayo Coyle's quite far back via an Irish historian. We have only just found out through ancestry.com that one brother who left Mayo at the time of the famine, sailed to New York instead of Liverpool, and we have an extended family in New York which we knew nothing about until last year. My great grandfather O'Donnell was baptised by Canon Hannan in 1871 in St Patrick's in the Grassmarket.

For me, as I was born in Scotland I am passionately Scottish and nothing else. However, I love Ireland and have visited every county other than Co Kerry. The Irish people for warmth and friendliness are second to none and I am so proud to be a Hibernian supporter, a club with such a colourful Irish and Scottish history.

Alba gu brath & Erin go bragh

[Keith_M]

..... The Irish people for warmth and friendliness are second to none...


Does that count the ones in the North?

:greengrin

[Keith_M]

Founded the Airdrie lodge! :greengrin

https://media.giphy.com/media/hGwvzBNwXDwlO/giphy.gif


Have you ever seen the episode of "who do you think you are" with David Tennant?


That's one of the many reasons I don't want to trace my ancestry too closely :wink:

[fat freddy]

Good read Iggy, we have much in common, not least our punk rock roots, Damned on Tuesday?
I used to go to 4.30 mass at St. Pats if I missed morning mass at St. Johns in Porty, Father Halloran was the main man if memory serves, a miserable sod who took no prisoners in confession, I never left with anything less than 5 Our Fathers and 10 Hail Marys, I often wondered what he would give me if I actually told him the truth about my sinful ways.
My mum later relocated to Drummond St. and is still a volunteer cleaner at St. Pats at the age of 85.

[Bishop Hibee]

Fr Halloran is still alive and well! Funny thing is his brother is the opposite of miserable and enjoys life to the full and is often found at ER.

[Hibernia&Alba]

Have you ever seen the episode of "who do you think you are" with David Tennant?


That's one of the many reasons I don't want to trace my ancestry too closely :wink:

There's staunch, then there's founding an Orange Lodge staunch. Then, at the pinnacle of staunchness, is founding the Orange Lodge in, of all places, Airdrie staunch. :greengrin

You would be immediately awarded one million staunch points and appointed Grand Master/Grand Wizard on Follow Follow and Rangers Media. :agree:

[Smartie]

There's staunch, then there's founding an Orange Lodge staunch. Then, at the pinnacle of staunchness, is founding the Orange Lodge in, of all places, Airdrie staunch. :greengrin

You would be immediately awarded one million staunch points and appointed Grand Master/Grand Wizard on Follow Follow and Rangers Media. :agree:

And due to his choice of football team, also be labelled a rhat and despised for his act of treason.

[One Day]

I enjoyed your post, Iggy, many thanks.

I also attended Catholic school, and it was also Hibs or Celtic. Glad to say it was majority Hibs, but there was a fair few glory-hunters. It's still just the same, according to my nieces and nephews. I can't recall a single Jambo at my school. The great thing is everyone is welcome at Easter Road. I've never been asked about my background by any Hibs fan, which should be the case at all times. It doesn't matter where anyone is from etc, it's a level playing field. Resilience is all you need, and plenty of it! :greengrin

Same with me at Catholic primary all Hibs or Celtic. Don't remember any Jambos. Few turn coats after 1967

[Iggy Pope]

Good read Iggy, we have much in common, not least our punk rock roots, Damned on Tuesday?
I used to go to 4.30 mass at St. Pats if I missed morning mass at St. Johns in Porty, Father Halloran was the main man if memory serves, a miserable sod who took no prisoners in confession, I never left with anything less than 5 Our Fathers and 10 Hail Marys, I often wondered what he would give me if I actually told him the truth about my sinful ways.
My mum later relocated to Drummond St. and is still a volunteer cleaner at St. Pats at the age of 85.

Beautiful Freddy and I trust your ceramic still stands in the lobby? I won’t be making The Damned, although I have several times before we had those last words a couple of years back about that third Clash LP!!!!!
Canon Hyland was the man of my time and he was that man that married my folks and baptised my sister and me.
Enjoy Tuesday. You can’t stop, to hang around, you got a brand New Rose in town!!!!! UUUUUUUUH!

[fat freddy]

Beautiful Freddy and I trust your ceramic still stands in the lobby? I won’t be making The Damned, although I have several times before we had those last words a couple of years back about that third Clash LP!!!!!
Canon Hyland was the man of my time and he was that man that married my folks and baptised my sister and me.
Enjoy Tuesday. You can’t stop, to hang around, you got a brand New Rose in town!!!!! UUUUUUUUH!

Aye, if no one has stole it, the mosaic should still be hanging in the F.F. downstairs foyer.
I'd forgot about The Clash third album stramash, I wont enter into another debate about Sandy Pearlmans productions techniques which were imposed on the band by record company executives in an effort to make the record more suited to the America market...or the fact that its still a brilliant album.

[Iggy Pope]

Aye, if no one has stole it, the mosaic should still be hanging in the F.F. downstairs foyer.
I'd forgot about The Clash third album stramash, I wont enter into another debate about Sandy Pearlmans productions techniques which were imposed on the band by record company executives in an effort to make the record more suited to the America market...or the fact that its still a brilliant album.

:greengrin Full of filler.
I’ll put my head round the door when passing and make sure your work remains there punk rocker.

[Scotty Leither]

Everyone has, or has had, 8 great grandparents. Of mine, 5 were Irish (Kellys from Co Kildare, O'Donnell's from Co Donegal and Coyles from Co Mayo), 2 were Scottish (from Edinburgh) and 1 was English (from Co Durham) who settled in Edinburgh whilst an engineer constructing the Forth Bridge.

My sister has done a massive amount of research into our family history. Unfortunately the predominate Irish side of my family is hard to trace due to lack of records. We did however manage to trace the Co Mayo Coyle's quite far back via an Irish historian. We have only just found out through ancestry.com that one brother who left Mayo at the time of the famine, sailed to New York instead of Liverpool, and we have an extended family in New York which we knew nothing about until last year. My great grandfather O'Donnell was baptised by Canon Hannan in 1871 in St Patrick's in the Grassmarket.

For me, as I was born in Scotland I am passionately Scottish and nothing else. However, I love Ireland and have visited every county other than Co Kerry. The Irish people for warmth and friendliness are second to none and I am so proud to be a Hibernian supporter, a club with such a colourful Irish and Scottish history.

Alba gu brath & Erin go bragh

Kudos to you, mate. I've traced my paternal grandparents way back to the Connars who came across to Selkirk in 1840. My great-grandfather made his way to the Coogate and put roots down there.

Scotland forever, Erin go Bragh, indeed. (With a nod to Charlie and Craig for the lyric ;-)

[Hibernia&Alba]

And due to his choice of football team, also be labelled a rhat and despised for his act of treason.

A Lundy. Immediate ban. :greengrin