There wasn’t any football matches on in Santa Ponsa at the weekend but the Celtic presence was everywhere.
On the back of three dramatic weekends fans could relax, chill out in the sun, exchange stories and reflect on those three never to be forgotten weekends.
Winning the Glasgow Derby, beating Hearts to the SPFL title then lifting the Scottish Cup. Oh and the on-going meltdown shows no sign of letting up! Thanks Sam.
If you want to re-live the drama and successes of the season just ended you will most certainly be in among your own in Santa Ponsa.
‘I still can’t believe it’ seems to crop up in every conversation. The events post Tannadice remain difficult to come to work out.
Celtic shirts are everywhere, the only competition comes from GAA shirts highlighting the Celtic nature of the resort.
MALLORCA’S GREEN AND WHITE
Tellingly there is virtually no-one wearing the Double Winners t-shirt. Not Another Penny stretches to holiday-makers, in previous seasons the t-shirts worn by players would be the most essential holiday-wear.
There is one smallish section of the resort known as the strip where most of the bars are Irish.
Stretching from Daniels Corner on Carrer de Ramon de Montcada to the iconic Dubliner, Celtic fans are everywhere.
Now reflecting on the strangest and most unlikely successes of the decade of domination.
For many fans part of the run-in was spent in Santa Ponsa.
Where were you when Daizen Maeda scored his over head kick in the Glasgow Derby? Brennan’s Sports Bar.
Where were you when Callum Osmand ran the ball into the Hearts net to clinch the SPFL title? The Dubliner.
Where were you when Martin O’Neill lifted the Scottish Cup by beating Dunfermline? Celts Well.
On cup final day the 400 seats around the big screen at Celts Well was filled up two hours before kick off.
That makes for a lot of sunshine, success and cervezas. Celtic fans can be a very thirsty lot! Keeping them hydrated on match-day is no easy task.
WHERE IS SANTA PONSA? HOW DO I GET THERE?
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 has a few VIP residents including Brendan Rodgers who has a place in the more exclusive side where his neighbours include Jurgen Klopp, Robert Lewandowski and Rafael Nadal.
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
Harry’s Big Telly at The Square has become one of Mallorca’s leading tourist attractions. Around 400 fans can view the action with screens at every angle inside the bar.
The regular bar team of Marina, Katie and Emmy are joined on matchdays by a full batch of extra staff. They certainly know their customers which is why folk return year on year. Often two or three times a year.
Providing the music and banter all summer long is Karl Byrne back again for his 17th season. That’s where any resemblance to James Forrest ends. 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. Every year it is the first bar to fully open up, this year in time for Cheltenham and St Patrick’s Day.
Brennan’s has a great outdoor set up with the music getting underway at 7 or 8 o’clock all the way through to 3am. The Monday Club starts with tunes at 6pm.
Brennan’s has outdoor music till 11,30pm, after that it is indoors till late, late, late.
Fergal McCahey tends to kick things off with Pastor John, known locally as Jesus, taking the tunes 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.
The dynamic twins of Sonia and Sofia drive the highest of standards at The Dubliner. Backed up by Ciaran. Matching those high standards are Cillian and Breanna who help deliver the best in customer service.
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 throughout June and July. Chris brings incredible energy and the full range of the Celtic song book to the stage.
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.
Brennan’s for me for the cup final ?
Looks pure fu**in AMAZING so it does…
Thank you “Santa” for that double…
Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy everyone that’s there of a Celtic persuasion !
You can get there by bus from Palma’s bus station at Plaza d’Espana in about 40 mins a a few euros.
Editor: Bus A11, use your bank card and it comes in at about £3.50.