Páirc na gCeilteach | |
Paradise | |
Location | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
---|---|
Capacity | 5,000 seated, overall 50,000. |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Broke ground | 1899 |
Opened | 1901 |
Closed | 1983 |
Demolished | 1986 |
Tenants | |
Belfast Celtic Greyhound Racing |
Celtic Park was a multi-use stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was used for football matches and was the home of Belfast Celtic F.C. Throughout the majority of its existence it was a greyhound racing track. The stadium was able to hold 50,000 spectators at its height, with 5,000 of those spectators seated. [1]
The stadium ceased to host Belfast Celtic matches when the team stopped playing competitive matches in 1949. [1] Like Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland, it was known as "Paradise" by its fans. The football team ran into financial issues and finally dissolved in 1960 but the stadium was then firmly established as a greyhound stadium. [2]
Two Belfast bookmakers called Joe Shaw and Hugh McAlinden visited to Belle Vue Stadium in 1926 to view the new form of greyhound racing around an oval. They duly formed the National Racing Greyhound Company with the assistance of Paddy O’Donoghue and James Clarke. [3] It was the first greyhound track to open in Ireland on Easter Monday 18 April 1927, and one of the first in the United Kingdom. [4] The company would take control of Ireland's second track Shelbourne Park in 1927. [3]
McAlinden was the chairman of Belfast Celtic and he instigated the lease of the stadium for the racing which would be governed by the Irish Coursing Club, the official regulatory body of greyhound racing in Ireland. On opening night racing consisted of two hurdles races in the six race card and one race ended with a dead heat between Keep Whistling and Imperial Jimmy. [3]
The first ever winner (not only at Celtic Park but in Ireland) was a greyhound called Mutual Friend (Three Speed x Lazy Peggy) on the Easter Monday; the April 1923 whelp was owned by Jim Tuite of Railway House, Oldcastle, County Meath. [5]
Duneynie Castle claimed the Belfast Telegraph Cup competition in the summer of 1927 and re-opening for a second season in March 1928 patrons were able to purchase a complete form guide of the previous season from all Irish Coursing Club tracks for one shilling. Two months later on 11 May Mick the Miller finished third in the Abercorn Cup final at the track over 526 yards. [2]
A major event introduced in 1926 was the Trigo Cup; William Barnett presented a cup to Celtic Park after his horse Trigo won The Derby and St Leger Stakes. The Trigo Cup would gain classic status some years later in 1944 and second major competition called the McAlevey Gold Cup was inaugurated in 1938. In 1932 and 1943 the track hosted the Irish St Leger one of Ireland's premier races and in July 1946, the first case of a greyhound traveling by air took place. Warrington greyhound Clady Border trained by Ken Newham went from Manchester airport to Belfast to take part in an event at Celtic Park in which he won. [2]
The first Racing Manager at the Track was Jim Rice and after his passing he was honoured by the track hosting the Jim Rice Memorial Trophy. Another competition called the Ulster Sprint Cup was a regular event from 1930 and the Trigo Cup was also known as the Ulster Derby for many years. [2]
In 1955, Spanish Battleship appeared at the track for his final race in Ireland. The track suffering from a lack of investment and hampered by the troubles in Northern Ireland began to go downhill. However, in 1978 a new board of directors took over, Sean and Brian Graham and Jim Delargy closed the track to allow for refurbishment and Eddie O'Hagan the Racing Manager retired. The changes included an all-sand track from grass. [6] The track finally opened two years later during April 1980. [7]
Brookmount Properties bought the site for redevelopment and the last meeting was held on 31 October 1983. [8] The site of Celtic Park is now occupied by a shopping centre. [1]
Distance (yards) | Greyhound | Time | Date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
375 | Derryten | 24 October 1941 | ||
375 | Fair Mistress | 20.52 | 22 April 1942 | [9] |
375 | Every Effort | 20.37 | 1965 | |
375 | Kirkland Darkie | 19.94 | 1980 | |
525 | Priceless Border | 29.54 | 1947 | |
525 | Ballymore Cottage | 29.38 | 1947 | |
525 | Northern Customer | 29.14 | 1960 | |
525 | Dillies Pigalle | 28.86 | 1966 | National record |
525 | Kirkland Darkie [10] | 28.79 | May 1970 | National record - McAlevey Cup heats |
525 | Jemmy John | 28.61 | June 1970 | National record - Ulster Derby |
550 | Maghereagh Soldier [11] | 31.45 | 7 June 1935 | Trigo Cup final |
550 | Maghereagh Soldier | 31.35 | 15 June 1936 | Trigo Cup first round |
550 | Strong Mutton | 31.28 | June 1936 | Trigo Cup |
550 | Mazurka | 30.98 | 1950 | |
550 | Toms Dog | 30.48 | 1965 | |
550 | Sulky Mac | 30.38 | 1980 | |
600 | Smartly Fergus | 33.99 | 1945 | National record |
600 | Itsamint | 33.34 | 1970 | |
600 | Blissful Pride | 32.90 | 1970 | |
640 | Bright Brindle | 37.12 | 1978 | |
860 | Ilene Darling | 51.55 | 1950 | |
375 H | Soft Slide | 21.80 | 1935 | |
375 H | Neidin's Carnero | 21.46 | 15 June 1936 | |
525 H | Magheragh Major | 31.07 | 1937 | |
525 H | Nicotiana | 31.05 | 24 June 1938 | |
550 H | Neidens Beautiful | 32.70 | 1970 | |
600 H | Another Circle | 36.28 | 1970 |
Shelbourne Park is a greyhound racing stadium in the south Dublin inner city suburb of Ringsend.
The St Leger is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Limerick Greyhound Stadium at Greenpark, Dock Road, Limerick, Ireland. The competition is an original classic race and was inaugurated in 1932 at Celtic Park in Belfast following the decision by the Irish Coursing Club to issue a new list of classic races.
Dunmore Stadium was a greyhound racing track located in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The Trigo Cup also known as the Ulster Greyhound Derby was a greyhound racing competition held annually at Celtic Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The McAlevey Gold Cup was a greyhound racing competition held annually at Celtic Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was introduced in 1938 for greyhounds bred in Ireland and not over two years of age.
The 1927 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the second year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1931 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the sixth year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The total annual attendance across the country for 1931 increased to 17,906,917 from 17,119,120, a fifth consecutive annual increase.
The 1932 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the seventh year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The total annual attendance across the country for 1932 topped 20 Million, increasing to 20,178,260 from 17,906,917, a sixth consecutive annual increase.
The 1933 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the eighth year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1939 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 14th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1940 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 15th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1946 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 21st year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1947 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 22nd year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1953 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 28th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1954 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 29th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1960 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 34th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1967 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 41st year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1973 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 47th year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The 1977 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year was the 51st year of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Dungannon Greyhound Stadium or Oaks Park was a greyhound racing track held on Oaks Road, Dungannon, County Tyrone, BT71 4BA, Northern Ireland.