The summer season is now underway in Santa Ponsa with Celtic fans filling their favourite venues to watch the hoops in action.
While it is all change in terms of players and managers there is absolutely no sign of a managed decline at Celts Well, Brennan’s and The Dubliner. Three of the longest established Celtic bars in Mallorca.
There was tension in the air on Sunday as the hoops were being held 1-1 at Dundee. Then just as he did away to Kilmarnock in September Kelechi Iheanacho came up with a late winner with the cheer from The Square echoing around the resort in the south west of Mallorca.
With the flight arrivals increasing the number of fans is growing every weekend. From Palma Airport it only takes 30 minutes and 50 euros by taxi to reach Santa Ponsa, a unique resort that has Celtic and Ireland at heart.
The Mallorcan resort is a special place for many Celtic fans, former manager Brendan Rodgers has his own place in the more exclusive side where his neighbours include Jurgen Klopp, Robert Lewandowski and Rafael Nadal.
Celtic are in action over the next six weekends, that could be extended to seven if they see off St Mirren to reach the Scottish Cup Final. On matchdays green and white is everywhere. The hoops are also evident on non-matchdays alongside the colours of various GAA counties.
If you haven’t visited Santa Ponsa already you owe it to yourself to do so. It really is a special slice of Paradise tucked away in the Med, less than three hours flying time from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick.
CELTS WELL, SANTA PONSA
Three pubs that understand the Celtic support are Brennan’s, Celts Well and The Dubliner. All with their own characteristics, complimenting each other with something a bit different on offer.
Harry’s Big Telly at The Square is rapidly becoming one of Mallorca’s leading tourist attractions. Around 400 fans can view the action with screens at every angle inside the bar if you need a bit of shade.
Getting along half an hour before kick off is a smart move. Fans from nearby resorts can be seen arriving by taxi.
The regular bar duo of Marina and Katie are joined on matchdays by a full team of extra staff.
Arriving next week is the one and only Karl Byrne back for his 17th season. He is as sharp as they come with a detailed knowledge of every town in Scotland and Ireland to catch out the regulars and visitors.
Someone recently described Karl as ‘the most likeable cheeky b**tard in the world’. Anyone that knows him will appreciate that description.
Every night a few ‘victims’ are selected for good natured banter. Getting the treatment is taken as a badge of honour in among a strong repertoire of tunes, many specially adapted to add a topical Celtic flavour.
BRENNAN’S SPORTS BAR
Along on ‘The Strip’ at Brennan’s Sports Bar Michelle runs the show. The first bar to fully open up, the entertainment was underway in the second week of March as Cheltenham and St Patrick’s Day kicked the season off.
Brennan’s has a great outdoor set up with the music getting underway at 6 or 7 o’clock all the way through to 3am, and sometimes beyond.
Fergal McCahey tends to kick things off with Pastor John, known locally as Jesus, indoors till closing time. Michelle spends much of her winter time in Derry, bringing over some brilliant singers for 10 days at a time.
Further up the road on the Ramon de Montcalm is The Dubliner which has multiple screens as Sonia, Sofia and Ciaran leave no stone unturned to make matchday that bit special.
THE DUBLINER
The Dubliner is more of a night time venue, from the start of April through to mid October the brilliant Mairtin O’Huigin is turning in 10 out of 10 performances alongside Darrin Cahill. It is a marathon shift from Mairtin and Darrin, the only night off they take is a day trip home to entertain at the Ballymena Shamrock.
From 9.30pm through until 3.30am the music flows, The Dubliner is popular with all ages, it even turned into the local for Fran Alonso two years ago while he was managing the Celtic Ladies team.
Una Dunne, Ciarin from Errigal, Doc McCloskey and others appear in The Dubliner for 10 to 14 days at a time with Chris from Erin Go Bragh booked in for June and July.
As well as the obvious Celtic attractions Santa Ponsa has a brilliant beach and great variety of restaurants offering up Spanish, Chinese and Italian food with a few Steak Houses and Burger places also popular.
Nearby are the resorts of Magaluf, worth an afternoon visit, Palma Nova and Camp de Mar to add some variety.
Outdoors at Celts Well, The Square
Looks really Ghoud indeed ! ??
Clachnacuddin and the Hoops @ 3.14am…
Something way wrong with the techy side as I put a wee Shamrock at the end of ma comment above and it came out as two fu**in question marks !