Hibernian Football Club celebrates its 150th birthday on 6 August 2025.
The Club was formed at a meeting of the Catholic Young Men’s Society (CYMS) on 6 August 1875 at St Mary’s Street Hall in the Cowgate.
That night Canon Edward Joseph Hannan and fellow-Irishman, Michael Whelahan, announced that a football team was to be created for the benefit of its members.
That club was named Hibernian Football Club, its badge the harp and its motto Erin go Bragh (Ireland Forever).
A number of events are taking place to mark the occasion, including the release of a new book, Edinburgh’s First Hibernian,published by Thirsty Books and written by history graduate and lifelong Hibs fan Mike Hennessy. (Edinburgh’s First Hibernian – The Mission of Edward Joseph Hannan by Mike Hennessy)
Edinburgh’s First Hibernian is a meticulously researched account of the life of the Edward Hannan, a Catholic priest who rose from poverty in rural Ireland to become one of the most influential figures in 19th-century Edinburgh.
In Augst 2019, on a whim, a group of friends decided to visit Ballingarry, the home of Hannan, one of two recognised founders of Hibernian FC.
The self-titled ‘Unfamous Five’ (They did not want to be known as the Infamous Five and the Famous Five had already been taken) who made the trip to County Limerick were Mike Hennessy, John Hennessy, Martin Donaghy, Paul Reilly and Ian Mckenzie.
Surprisingly there appeared to be scant knowledge of Hannan in his hometown and the idea to research his life took shape.
Mike said: “I had just retired and had time on my hands and thought why not? Initially it was meant to be an essay or thesis to uncover as much as possible about the man for future generations of Hibs supporters but suddenly I had 100,000 words and a friend advised me that I had enough for a book.
“It seemed appropriate timing given the approach of the 150thanniversary.
“Then the hunt for a publisher began and I had to kiss a few frogs until Thirsty Books agreed.
“Six years of painstaking research and writing later and here we are.”
The book is divided into four parts
Part One – Ireland covers the Great Famine, the Catholic Resurgence and the Hannan family including Edward’s education.
Part Two – Scotland describes the Revival of Scottish Catholicism, Life in the Capital, the Catholic Young Men’s Society, Hibernian Football Club, Personal Relationships and James Connolly.
Part Three – The Final Years deals with the Diocesan Strife and the End of an Era.
Part Four – The Lasting Memories
Scotland, The Final Years and The Lasting Legacy deals with unanswered questions and The Man and the Legacy.
The biography illustrates the significant contribution that Hannan made to his adopted city at a time of rapid social change and urban renewal.
It is richly illustrated in full colour throughout with 120 images and contains footnotes referencing to an extensive range of sources.
Mike continued: “I wanted the book to be more than just the Hibs story. The Club is obviously part of his legacy but there are lots more. It’s a social, economic and political history.”
Edward Joseph Hannan was born in 1836 at a farm in the Glen, Ballygrennan ,Co Limerick where would have witnessed the worst excesses of the Great Famine.
This experience may well have convinced him to dedicate his life to the championing of the poor.
He was ordained in 1860 and the following year moved to Edinburgh where he became a junior curate at St Patrick’s Church in the Cowgate at the age of 25.
Hannan embarked upon a mission to educate the poor and to encourage temperance, clean living and improve the physical and moral state of his parishioners who were mostly poor first-and second-generation Irish living in the most appalling slum conditions.
One vehicle was the Catholic Young Men’s Society (CYMS), and he opened a branch in 1865 which became the most successful in Scotland providing a savings bank, funeral and benefits society, a library, reading rooms, a drama society, a ball courtand a large hall for major events such as concerts and, later, political meetings.
In his foreword, Hibernian legend Pat Stanton says: ‘Without this Irish priest’s work with the Irish poor of the Old Town all those years ago, there would not be a Hibernian Football Club.’
Mike Hennessy is a native of Edinburgh, born in 1952, missing by a month the moment Hibs last won the Scottish League.
He was first taken to Easter Road by his grandfather Bernard McQueen to whom he dedicates the book.
After graduating in History from Stirling University, Mike left Scotland in the hope of fame and fortune, neither of which materialised, living and working in London, Paris and Barcelona before settling in his current abode in East Cheshire.
In retirement, he has kept himself fully occupied with various good causes such as the Princes Trust, and most recently writing this, his first book, about the man whose former residence he passed every week in his youth without realising it.
Author proceeds from the book will be donated to the Hibernian Historical Trust.
Mike will be signing copies of the book on Wednesday 6 August at St Patrick’s Church. At the same time the Club will be hosting an exhibition at St Mary’s Halls nearby featuring a unique collection of items from the Club’s rich and storied past. and the people who’ve shaped the journey.
Copies of the book are also available at St Paul’s bookshop at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral 2B Little King St, and other major bookshops in the city. It can also be purchased online at Thirsty Books.
On Sunday 10 August he will be at Easter Road for Hibs first home game of the season before another book signing from 5pm at the Hibernian Supporters Club in Sunnyside.
Former Scotland international and current Hibs supporter Pat Nevin said: “This is a stunningly researched piece of work that gives an intimate insight into an era as well as the genesis of a great football club. Through the deep back story of a founding father, it is a serious historical piece but also a very readable one. You don’t have to be a Hibernian fan to enjoy it, but it might help.”
Malcolm McPherson Non Executive Chairman of Hibernian FC said: “The life and times of a cleric working in 19th century Edinburgh is an unlikely topic to hold my interest but as a lifelong fan of Hibernian I was fascinated to read of the origins of our Club and the circumstances of its creation.
“Much has been written before but never with the diligent research into original documents as Mike Hennessy has put in.
The book gives a fascinating insight to the life of those who created this amazing football institution. It is a good read and I enjoyed learning more of the history of both the Club and my City.”
Proclaimer Charlie Reid said: “I cannot imagine a world without Hibernian FC. The triumphs and disasters of the Club run so fiercely through my life that – at times – it felt like Hibs WAS my life.
“This book is a moving and meticulously researched tribute to the club’s founder, Edward J Hannan. Canon Hannan’s lifetime’s work among the impoverished people of Edinburgh’s ‘Little Ireland’ is as good a case of a life well lived as anything I know of.
“Every Hibs goal is in memory of Hannan and all those troublesome immigrants of the Cowgate.
“Glory Glory to the Hibees.”
