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Winston for Paradise
Exactly one hundred years after his infamous visit to Belfast, the ghost of Winston Churchill will return to the Falls Road on February the 8th. Winston for Paradise, takes place at St Mary’s University College on the hundredth anniversary of Churchill’s advocacy of Home Rule in Belfast, marking the first of many ‘centenaries’ taking place over the next decade.
Organised by the Belfast Celtic Society, a special drama production, Home Rule, will see local actor Alan McKee deliver the speech made by the then Liberal MP at Celtic Park on the Donegall Road.
This open air venue had to be utilised because Unionists in Belfast had bolted the doors of the Ulster Hall to local Liberals who had brought Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, to advocate for the cause of Irish Home Rule.
At the event, Dr. Eamon Phoenix will recall the political turmoil the city was facing at the time, as the Titanic prepared to slip into history and European slaughter loomed on the horizon. You can read more about this exciting event here.
Please help us publicise this event. Click here or on the picture to download the poster as PDF. Admission is free. All are welcome. |
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Celtic's Donnelly Remembered by the Irish Football Association
One of the towering figures in the history of Belfast Celtic has been remembered by the Irish Football Association. Austin Donnelly, President of the Association between 1945 and 1948, has re-taken his place in the IFA Boardroom as his portrait was hung at Windsor Avenue on Monday, December 19th 2011.
Representatives of the Belfast Celtic Society were invited to the IFA Council Meeting where Donnelly was included in an historical portrait gallery with the Association’s other 11 Presidents. And as it was Christmas, the IFA had a gift – an identical portrait which will hang in the Belfast Celtic Museum, when it reopens in the New Year.
The current incumbent, Jim Shaw, recalled his predecessor in a wonderful tribute provided for the Council by veteran journalist Malcolm Brodie. Chairman of the Board of Directors at Celtic from 1938 until the team went out of football in 1949, Donnelly was a pivotal figure in the history of Celtic.
You can read the rest of this original article by clicking here.
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Eyewitness to History
Lurgan man Frankie McKeown is an eye witness to history. As a young boy, he was present at Windsor Park in 1948, spectating on the game that sealed Belfast Celtic’s fate. His memories were stirred recently as he attended the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs event at the Lurgan Celtic Supporters Club, in which Belfast Celtic featured prominently.
Sparked by the nostalgia of Bill McKavanagh’s wonderful archive slideshow, Frankie was moved to send his memories of the day to the Belfast Celtic Society and these have been added to our Memory Lane pages. What makes his memories even more amazing is the fact that Frankie visited the dressing room at half time on Windsor Park that fateful St Stephen’s Day – but it was the Linfield dressing room!
As Bob Bryson, the Linfield defender, was being taken to hospital after the tackle with Jimmy Jones, Frankie was enviously eyeing the Celtic dressing room door as his father shuffled him in to meet the Blues’ squad, with the Linfield Chairman Tommy Armstrong, a family friend. In later years, Frankie came to know many of the stars of Belfast’s ‘Stripes’ and you can read his wonderful recollections by clicking here. |
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Hero of New York Passes Away
One of the last surviving links with Belfast Celtic's triumphant 1949 team, which felled Scotland in New York, has been lost.
Dr. Tom Dorman, a popular member of Elisha Scott's final ever squad, recently passed away.
Joining Belfast Celtic in the wake of the infamous St Stephen's Day fixture of 1948, Dorman came from Newtownards and swapped rugby for Irish League football, where he was spotted by Belfast Celtic playing for Ards FC. A fashionable inside left, Dorman starred in several games on the final tour in the USA and played a pivotal role in the great victory over the British champions of the time. You can read more of this original article here.
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Golden Scraps of History
Scraps of paper can be worth their weight in gold and one Belfast Celtic fan's personal archive has yielded rich treasures.
Harry Spence was from the Falls Road and for years followed the fortunes of the Belfast 'Stripes'.
During the 1940's, he lovingly collected newspaper clippings on a range of issues to add to the family scrapbook and high on his agenda was the sporting excellence of Belfast Celtic, under the direction of the masterful Elisha Scott.
Now, this archive has been brought to life with the help of Harry's son Aidan, who has built a wondeful website to host the content of his father's scrapbook for new generations to explore.
Aidan said; "My father was a Celtic fan in his youth and he rarely missed a game. "He was also at Windsor Park for the fateful game in 1948 the made Celtic withdraw from football. "The events of that day affected him greatly and as a result, he actually turned his back on soccer altogether and for many years was radically opposed to the sport." You can read more about Harry Spences' magnificent archive here. |
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Celtic Tribute at AICSC Annual Meeting
Over 100 Celtic supporters packed into the Lurgan Celtic Supporters club recently to relive the glory days of Belfast Celtic.
Delegates travelled from all across Ireland for the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs' annual meeting and the green carpet was rolled out in Neil Lennon's home town for Charlie Tully Jr and Davy McKavanagh, who took the packed house on a barnstorming walk back in time.
As part of the celebration of the life of Charlie Tully in his 40th anniversary year, the Belfast Celtic Society was delighted to accept the invitation to address the gathering and offer a bit of sporting nostalgia to the very important event.
Once again, the magical Bill McKavanagh slide show was presented to the audience, who listened intently as the Celtic roll of honour played out down through the years.
Davy McKavanagh then sketched his own Celtic odyssey and detailed the importance of Belfast Celtic to the fabric of the city and reminded the audience of the Celtic Song's Irish origins.
Patrick and Malachy McKavanagh were also in attendance.
Charlie Tully was the key focus for the aftershow debate and his eldest son painted an emotional and touching picture of his father. You can read the rest of this article here. |
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Paddy McIlroy will be Badly Missed
The Belfast Celtic Society as well as the greater Celtic family lost one of its most respected members last week when the society’s treasurer, Paddy McIlroy, passed away following a long illness. Paddy’s roots were set very firmly in the soil of West Belfast or to be more precise, the hallowed turf of Celtic Park. As a boy he spent many happy hours watching his beloved Belfast Celtic in action at Paradise. He loved to recount stories of the days when he would be lifted over the stile to get into the ground and watch his heroes in action. His father ran a butchery business which was destroyed during the German air raids on Belfast in 1941.
After completing his education at St Malachy’s College, a young Paddy began a career in the Northern Ireland Civil Service where one of his first postings was to County Fermanagh. Away from work, Paddy’s passion for sport was shared between football and squash. He was one of the founding members of the Rosario Squash club and also served as president of the Ulster and Irish Squash Associations. Paddy’s contribution to public service was recognised with the awarding of the Imperial Service Order in 1990. On his retirement he continued to give his time to the voluntary sector and spent many years helping the Northern Ireland Housing Association Charitable Trust.
On the formation of the Belfast Celtic Society in 2003, Paddy’s knowledge of the workings of charitable and voluntary organisations proved invaluable as he took on the role of the society’s secretary and treasurer. The Belfast Celtic Society will forever value the benefit of his wisdom. At Paddy’s funeral mass in St Comgall’s Church, Bangor, many hundreds of people from across the business and sporting community came to pay their respects to Paddy’s widow Moira, his sons Patrick, Justin, Rory and Michael, his sister Isobel and to the wider McIlroy family circle.
Michael, speaking for the whole family, paid tribute to his father for the love and protection that he had given them during his life time. “Daddy was never ashamed to say how much he loved mum and he was always so proud of us. While we were his sons, we were also four distinct people. His life long love of Celtic was also known to everybody. When we would be watching a game and the team would go into the Celtic huddle, he would always say to us to close our eyes and think of any of our family members who were away.”
“One of my best memories of dad was when we went to an Old Firm match which Celtic won 6-2. We were to meet him afterwards outside the ground and when we spotted him he was standing in the middle of the road with his Celtic scarf over his head. He was crying with delight. It wasn’t often than dad was lost for words. This time he was.” The Belfast Celtic family, too, has lost a dear friend. May he rest In peace. - Padraig Coyle
Chairman Belfast Celtic Society |
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Family of Greatest Ever Belfast Celtic Visit Museum
Mickey Hamill is widely regarded as the greatest player ever to grace the Stripes of Belfast Celtic.
So it was with real joy that members of the Belfast Celtic Society rolled out the green carpet to his daughter Annette and her family at a recent visit to the museum in the Park Centre.
In a glittering career, spanning over twenty years - and two continents - Mickey Hamill left an indellible mark on Irish football, as he pulled on the Stripes of Belfast Celtic, the Hoops of Glasgow Celtic, the red of Manchester United and the blue of Manchester City, while in the USA he turned out for Fall River Marksmen, Boston Soccer Club and the New York Giants!
On retirement, he was a successful publican, operating the Centre Half Bar on the corner of Panton Street and Falls Road, facing where Cupar Street meets the Falls today.
His daughter Annette accompanied by her children Paddy and Cormac, recently took the opportunity to view the exhibits in the museum, including those which feature their father and grandfather.
They also got a chance to handle the Irish Cup, which Mickey led Belfast Celtic to scoop in the 1917-18 season, in a 2-0 win over Linfield, where Mickey battled a knee injury to lead his side to glory.
Plans are now in place to mark the memory of Mickey Hamill, with new exhibits added to the Belfast Celtic Museum and the refurbishment of the player's grave at Hannahstown now being examined.
And the Belfast Celtic Trail, due for launch in the autumn, will also feature Mickey Hamill, as the site of the Centre Half Bar on the Falls is marked on the Tourist Trail. You can read more about the late, great Mickey Hamill on the Legends page. |
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| Annette McWilliams, daughter of Mickey Hamill, in the Belfast Celtic museum, with a portrait of the 1917-18 cup winning side, in which Mickey played a starring role alongside legends like Elisha Scott, Jimmy Ferris and Willie McStay. |
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Annette McWilliams, centre, holds the Irish Cup, won by her father in 1918, flanked by her daughter Paddy (left) and her son Cormac. |
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A collection of medals won by Belfast Celtic star Mickey Hamill, including his 1915 league winners medal and a medal won during his time in the United States. |
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New Film on Barca and Belfast Celtic's Paddy
Former Belfast Celt Paddy O'Connell will soon receive the small screen treatment in a film made for the Irish Language television station TG4.
The man who made Barcelona, managing them successfully through the period of the Spanish Civil War, is the subject of a major documentary, made by Belfast outfit Tobar Productions, to be broadcast in 2012.
A film crew from Tobar recently visited the Belfast Celtic museum and grilled members of the Society about O'Connell's time in Belfast and the character of the city when the stopper was crossing the chalk at 'Paradise'.
The forty-minute documentary, with the working title Paddy – Don Patricio, is presented by popular Belfast actor and broadcaster Tony Devlin and is being produced with the assistance of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the Irish Language Broadcast Fund.
Born in Dublin, O'Connell played in the backline for Belfast Celtic in the early 1900's, before he was transferred to Sheffield Wednesday, along with left-back Peter Warren, joining the Hillsborough club for the combined fee of £50.
After three years there, he moved to Hull City where he was spotted by Manchester United, who parted with an incredible £1,000 to secure his services.
He was a proud Irish international and the most famous of his six appearances came in a 6-1 walloping of England in 1912, where he played with his Belfast Celtic and Man Utd colleague Mickey Hamill.
In 1914, just before the outbreak of the war, O'Connell braved a broken arm to Captain Ireland to victory yet again against England, at Middlesborough's Ayrsome Park, in a 3-0 win. After spells at Dunbarton and Ashington, O'Connell travelled to Spain in 1922 as manager of Racing Santander, who would help found La Liga with O'Connell at the helm. You can read the rest of this article here.
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Bertie Brings Down the House for Cheeky Charlie
Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld brought the house down at a celebration of the life and times of Charlie Tully on July 27. Bertie, who played with Tully as a cub player at Celtic, was in Belfast to mark the 40th anniversary of Cheeky Charlie’s passing, at two special events organised by the Belfast Celtic Society.
Hundreds of football fans and the Tully family crowded round Charlie’s graveside at Milltown Cemetery to hear Jim Emery, Tully’s assistant at Bangor FC, recall the football legend’s life. Belfast’s Mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile spoke on behalf of the city to mark the anniversary.
Affairs at the Cemetery were rounded off by Terry Dick, son of legendary singer Glen Daly, who led the crowd in a rendition of the Celtic Song, made famous by his father, who’d first heard it from Tully.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs, the Tullyglen CSC, the Tommy Nelson CSC, The Celtic Graves Society and the Belfast Celtic Society.
Later at a packed Rock Bar, now part-owned by Celtic’s Paddy McCourt, Bertie led the tributes with an hilarious recollection of Tully’s time in Glasgow. The European Cup winner also spoke of his admiration for the former Belfast Celt as a person. Click here to read the rest of this article.
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Tully Anniversary to be Marked in Belfast
Forty years after his untimely death, the life of Charlie Tully will be celebrated in Belfast.
Wednesday July 27th will see a special graveside wreath laying ceremony and oration, where invited guests and dignatories will come to Charlie's final resting place in Milltown Cemetery to recall his life and times.
Afterwards, a special night of celebration is planned for the Rock Bar on the Falls Road, now owned by Celtic's Paddy McCourt, with music, craic, song, drama and a fair bit of story telling prominently featuring Charlie. The event is open to all.
Padraig Coyle, Chairperson of the Belfast Celtic Society, said; "Charles Patrick Tully left an indellible mark on football and it is fitting that Celts assemble on the 40th anniversary of his passing to celebrate his life."
"Everyone is welcome to the two events and it has been great to get feedack from supporters clubs, special guests and Celtic personalities to confirm their attendance on the night - the stars are coming out for Charlie!"
"Our Society keeps the memory of Charlie alive. His son Charlie Junior, our honourary Vice-President and many members of the Tully family will be joining us to remember their father. When he died, Charlie's funeral brought the Falls Road to a stand-still - I hope the crowds come out to salute the man revered throughout the world."
Further announcements will be made as the big day approaches. You can now follow developments and the Belfast Celtic Society on Facebook and Twitter.
The graveside commemoration will take place at 6.00pm in Milltown Cemetary - those wishing to attend should meet at the car park below the Republican Plots in the graveyard at 6.00pm.
Doors for the event in the Rock Bar will open at 8.15. |
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Celtic's Official Facebook Page Features Charlie Tully
On this day (June 20) in 1948, Charles Patrick Tully sailed from Belfast into the Broomielaw to sign for Glasgow Celtic.
To mark the happy memory of the occasion, Celtic FC's Facebook administrators have opened a new album on their page with images related to Celtic's Cheeky Chappy.
After leaving Belfast Celtic, Charlie spent 11 eventful years in Glasgow, before returning to the 'old sod' to manage Cork Hibernains and his time in Scotland remains the stuff of legend.
His jaunty persona is well captured in the Facebook pictures - one of which shows Tully submerged in a group of Celtic Supporters, all of whom are decked out in fancy dress costumes.
Naturally, Charlie is in his element, with his Lagan-wide smile beaming out towards the camera.
Within a few hours, over 300 Celtic fans had approved of the new album, with many leaving comments as well remembering the former Belfast Celt.
To view the album on Facebook, click here. |
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