The iconic home of the long-standing Glasgow Celtic Supporters’ Club in Lurgan has been placed on the market for sale.
The three-storey corner building on Church Place is something of a local landmark.
The exterior, painted in the green of Celtic and boasting portraits of some of the team’s footballing greats, is instantly recognisable.
And for many years it has been home to one of the country’s oldest supporters’ clubs, providing the perfect place for Hoops fans to discuss and debate all things Celtic.
It is now 61 years since Glasgow Celtic Supporters’ Club Lurgan No 1 Branch was formed. Initially based at Arthur Street in the town, the club later relocated to its current base at Church Place.
Now the premises – which operates as a social club – has been placed on the market.
But that is by no means the end of the road for the club itself, which is planning to relocate once again.
A spokesperson for the club recounted a long and proud history in the town.
“The idea of a Celtic Supporters’ Club in Lurgan was first discussed by a group of workers in the Optical Factory in Lurgan, and from that, the foundation of the club was laid on 24th of April 1965 at the Celtic v Dunfermline cup final.
“A few Lurgan supporters who attended that game were celebrating Celtic’s win in the Buchanan Bar, which was the meeting point after every game they travelled to. There they discussed the possibility of forming a supporters club back home.
“The idea was to have members paying weekly subscriptions, thus enabling them to see Celtic play more often. Two weeks after this date, Mr Thomas McConnaghy very kindly let them have use of one of the rooms in his bar in William Street, where the first meeting was held. Patsy Cassidy chaired this meeting, at which a collection was made to purchase two books for recording minutes and finance. A princely sum of 11 shillings was collected, and the supporters’ club was under way.
“In a short time, the membership increased to 33, and as the room in McConnaghy’s Bar became overcrowded, a new venue was sought and, as the majority of the members were also members of Irish National Foresters, it was decided to ask their management committee for the use of their club in which to hold weekly meetings.”
This was agreed to and meetings were held every Sunday at 12 noon, as they still are to this day, 61 years later.
The new club had by this time attracted six Celtic supporters from Porterdown, who were very enthusiastic and attended every meeting without fail.
The club continued to grow in strength, and in 1966 premises were purchased in Edward Street, and a drinks license was obtained. These premises were in daily use up until the heart of the Troubles, when an explosion, which almost wrecked the building, caused the premises to be closed for a short period during renovation.
Looking back… pictures featured in a publication to mark the 60th anniversary last year.
On 14th April, 1966, the original association of Celtic supporters was formed in O’Carroll’s Bar in Millfield, Belfast. Lurgan No 1 joined the association, and after a general meeting in January 1967, Pat Cassidy was elected chairman of the association.
The spokesperson continued: “Sadly, the beginning of the Troubles in 1969 brought a halt to the association until it reformed in 1998. The club continued to grow in strength, and in 1977 they moved to their present premises, originally the White Horse Inn. The new club was officially opened by ‘Lisbon Lion’ Tommy Gemmell.
“The new club continued to grow, and during the 1980s became one of the biggest Celtic supporters’ clubs in Europe outside Glasgow. During the decades, the club has formed bonds with other CSC from Glasgow, many clubs all over Ireland and indeed throughout the world.
“The great tradition of football within the club has continued to this day. Lurgan, as a town, has over the years provided Celtic with players, such as Eamon McMahon in the 50s and former player, captain, and manager, Neil Lennon.
“As a club, we have seen members travel to watch the team throughout Scotland and Europe and to the Celtic convention in Las Vegas. Our club is a byword for the Celtic faithful in Lurgan, young and old, for the past 60 years, and hopefully their great tradition will continue for the next 60 years.
“A long and sometimes hard road has been travelled throughout the years since the founder members held their first meeting 60 years ago. Sadly, many hard-working and loyal members and supporters have since departed life. May they rest in peace.
“Today the Celtic Supporters’ Club in Lurgan stands as a reminder that, but for those lovers of Glasgow Celtic Football Club who met in a bar in Glasgow 60 years ago.
“Throughout our many, many years of change from 1965 to present, both within and also in the wider community of Lurgan, the one constant throughout has always been our commitment to keep the promise made to our members by the founding members, to provide a place for Celtic supporters in the town to meet and travel to watch Celtic.”
That commitment is as strong today as then, and the club may be in the process of finalising plans to move elsewhere, but it’s by no means the end of the road.
Having celebrated 60 years last year, it is evident that the club will continue to thrive and grow, albeit from a different location.
The current base, meanwhile, looks set for a new beginning, pending any potential sale.
And handling the sale and tasked with securing a buyer is Lurgan-based Marc Fegan Bespoke Estate Agency, who advise the building has potential for a “wide variety” of alternative uses.
In marketing the property – which does not include the alcohol licence – the agent describes it as a “substantial and highly versatile commercial premises” which occupies a “prominent and convenient position in the heart of Lurgan town centre”.
It adds: “Extending to over 4,000 sq ft and arranged predominantly across the first and second floors, the property has been occupied for many years as the Glasgow Celtic Supporters Club and is currently configured to provide extensive social and function accommodation.
“The first floor comprises substantial open-plan bar and lounge areas, a separate function room, kitchen facilities, stores, toilets and designated smoking areas. The second floor provides further useful accommodation including office space, meeting rooms and additional storage.
“The property also benefits from a ground-floor store, an enclosed yard to the rear and two dedicated parking spaces – particularly useful additions for a town-centre commercial property.
“Presented in excellent condition throughout, the premises offer an impressive amount of adaptable floor space and could lend themselves to a wide variety of alternative commercial, leisure, community or other uses, subject to any necessary planning, statutory and licensing approvals.
“Its central location provides excellent accessibility, with Lurgan town centre’s shops, businesses, hospitality venues and transport connections all immediately accessible.
“This is a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial, well-maintained town-centre premises offering over 4,000 sq ft of accommodation together with valuable ancillary storage, yard and parking.”
