If there’s anywhere on the planet that can compare I have yet to find it? We know there are Celtic supporters worldwide but the closest place to ‘Paradise’ outside Scotland is across the sea in Donegal.
The roots of the club feature many of the original post famine migrants to Glasgow after taking the Derry boat to the Broomielaw. Today the Donegal Celts still take the boat from Belfast to Cairnryan for a weekend home game or midweek fixture.
Others will fly from Derry or Carrickfin but the majority still take the coach which leaves Gaoth Dobhair in the early hours and makes its way to Letterkenny then on to Derry and over Glenshane on route to the ferry.
Donegal fans have been travelling forever and a day, before coaches we had 4 in a car or sometimes a small mini bus, but whatever way the faithful made it to Parkhead.
There were supporters clubs in various parts of the county but in mid 1990’s they came together to form the Association. Paddy Sweeney (RIP) was the main mover behind the amalgamation and at one stage around Seville time they had 400 season tickets and famously provided Rod Stewart with a ticket.
At times 7 coaches would leave Letterkenny for a Champions League or Rangers games. Personally I travelled on many occasions on the red eye coach for the 8am ferry but since moving to Oranmore I take the Citylink to Dublin airport and fly which is an easier mode of travel.
The journey back in the day was something else for those European nights. At 4am the bus would leave Letterkenny but some of the bhoys would be on the coach an hour earlier leaving Gaoth Dobhair. 8am ferry to Stranraer or Cairnryan, then drive up the road to Glasgow arriving at Parkhead at midday.
Before kick off the day was spent around the various ‘establishments. After the game it was back on the coach to race down the road to catch the midnight ferry; then drive from Larne to Donegal and arrive home at 4am before starting work at 8am.
That was the life of a Donegal based Celtic fan in the 1990’s and indeed still is today for many. That’s dedication to the cause for you.
Last weekend the Association celebrated 30 years with an exhibition of Celtic memorabilia and later a dinner and music in a local hotel in Letterkenny. Stalwarts within the Letterkenny club were Denis O’Donnell, Paddy Kelly, Gerry McGuckin, and Johnathan Foley, they and numerous others ensured that the love for Celtic remained true in the area.
The latest trip the Association are planning is to the Benfica away game and taking in a tour of the Estadio National and the new exhibition to commemorate the Lisbon Lions victory in 1967. Donegal and Celtic it’s a link worth preserving.
Paddy McMenamin was born in Belfast with Donegal and Tyrone parents. He spent the 1970’s in Long Kesh. He has been going to Paradise since the Benfica game in Nov. 1969. He lived in Donegal for 30 years but now lives in Galway. He returned to University at 50 and became a secondary school teacher of history and English.
Copyright 2018 Celtic Fanzine | Developed by Blueberry Design