Belfast's 'Grand Old Team' will be recalled at a special event on Wednesday, November 30.
Return to Paradise will be a night of celebration of Belfast Celtic, at the Errigle Inn on the Ormeau Road.
Organised by the Belfast Celtic Society, this nostalgic evening of craic and song will rekindle memories of one of Irish football’s most successful teams and an institution that still provokes strong memories today.
Actors will help re-create the Belfast Celtic experience, performing choice sections of the hit play Paradise, which premiered at the Lyric Players Theatre last year.
Author and sports journalist Padraig Coyle, Chairman of the Belfast Celtic Society, can't wait to re-visit the life and times of the Belfast Hoops.
“I’m very excited about Return to Paradise and it will be a fitting tribute to the players and supporters of Belfast Celtic,” said Padraig.
“I’m thrilled that we’re able to revisit some scenes from Paradise, which was written by myself, Conor Grimes and Alan McKee. It was well received at the Lyric Theatre and hopefully this night of nostalgia will be in a similar vein.”
"Apart from giving the community a successful football team,” Padraig continued, “Belfast Celtic did a great deal for charity and local causes and was a source of intense pride.”
“Our society aims to keep the charitable ideals of Belfast Celtic alive and we will be making a donation to a local charity before Christmas.
“The Belfast Celtic Society strives to keep the name of the old club alive in the minds of the people of the city, and beyond, and further events are planned for 2006."
Society secretary, and co-author of the landmark play, actor Alan McKee, is equally excited.
"There is a great buzz about this night,” he said. “While we're not going to be acting out every scene from that production we intend to recreate some of the characters that people keep asking us about".
"The interest in the club is as big as ever," assures Alan. "We know that those who come along to the Errigle on 30th will have an evening to remember.
Membership of the Belfast Celtic society is open and application forms will be available on the night. For further info, or to apply for membership online, visit the Belfast Celtic website at www.belfastceltic.net.