Donegal Celtic
Donegal Celtic Park

What's The Ground Like?
Future Developments
Entrance Gates Mural (photo)
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Donegal Celtic Park (photo)
Where To Drink?
Home Stand (photo)
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Away Stand (photo)
By Train
Forest End (photo)
Admission Prices
Area Next To Home Stand (photo)
Programme
Local Rivals
Fixtures 2012-2013
Ground Layout
Hotel Accommodation
Donegal Celtic Park Location Map

Donegal Celtic Park sits on the side of a hill, in a residential area to the west of Belfast, around 5 miles from Belfast City Centre. The ground has improved considerably in the last year, with two new stands and spectator facilities. Because the ground sits on the side of a hill the social club and ground floor of the clubhouse sit lower than the pitch. There is a wonderful mural on the side of the social club building, the two storey clubhouse leads out to the ground car park, the players have to walk several metres to reach the pitch, between two identical seated stands.

Looking at the home side of the ground first, the two prefabricated stands flanking the players entrance
are of identical design, and have 75 seats each. To the right is a long, low cover over a flat standing area leading to the Suffolk Road touchline. Looking to the left is the largest structure at the ground, the new home stand which has 568 green and white seats over 12 rows, beneath a deep cantilever roof. Looking beyond this stand to the far left is the Glen Forest end. This area has been improved in the last year and now has a flat area of concrete should spectators wish to stand behind the goal, tall netting prevents stray balls from falling into the river that flows immediately behind the goal. Looking directly across the pitch from the new home stand is the new away stand on the away supporters side of the ground. This side was originally two pitch length steps of concrete behind a caged fence with only a portakabin toilet at one end, but now away supporters have their own stand with 315 seats on 5 rows, with a wide area at the rear for food and drink, and and toilet facilities. The original concrete steps remain on the rest
of this side of the ground, this leads back to the away turnstile at the Suffolk Road end.

Turning finally to the Suffolk Road end, this area is a grass verge with a narrow strip of concrete. Again, with the fences now removed anybody viewing the game from this side has a much improved view, a new stadium control tower sits in one corner leading back to the home side. The ground has a fair sized car park, leading to the turnstile for home supporters. The club is named after the Irish Republic County of Donegal, rather than being a reference to Donegal Road, where the defunct club Belfast Celtic used to be based.   

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Plans to increase the power of the floodlights are being considered, either by placing new lights on the existing pitch length floodlights or installing new corner pylons. 

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Entrance Gates Mural

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Away supporters facilities have improved considerably in the last year, thanks to the development of the new away supporters stand. Although this stand does not sit on the pitch centre line, since it it directly
across the pitch from the new home stand there is ample opportunity for a bit of banter. Fans who like to stand still have the option of using the old terrace steps, though this does not provide much of an elevated view of the pitch.

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Donegal Celtic Park

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The Suffolk Inn is located 5 minutes walk downhill along Suffolk Road, with a local newsagents, convenience store and fish and chip shop further down the hill towards the prison complex. 

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From the North:
Exit the M1 at Junction 3 and turn right, follow into Blacks Road, past Balmoral High School, at the junction take a left turn into the B102 Stewartstown Road. You will see a prison complex on the right, turn right into Suffolk Road, the ground is up the hill on the left hand side, past the Suffolk Inn Public House

From the South:
Exit the M1 at Junction 2 turn left onto the A55 Kennedy Way then take a left turn onto the B102 Anderson Town Road. Follow the road past Roger Casement Park stadium, you will then see a prison complex on your right hand side, turn right into Suffolk Road, the ground is up the hill on the left hand side, past the Suffolk Inn Public House

For a map showing the location of the ground see the Google map below, at the bottom of this page. 

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Away Stand

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The nearest railway stations are Dunmurry, which is around two miles away from the ground or about a 35 minute walk away and Finaghy Halt, which is slightly closer, but is a bit longer to walk (40 minutes).

Directions from Dunmurry station to the ground:

Turn right and walk under the railway bridge. Follow the road through Dunmurry, you will see a modern looking chapel ahead of you. At the junction take the left turn and follow the road up to the B102 Stewartstown Road roundabout. Take a right turn and follow the road towards Belfast. Once past the Colin Glen Forest Park entrance you will see a Police Station on the left hand side, turn left into Suffolk Road, continue up the hill past the small shopping area and Suffolk Inn public house, the ground is further up on the left.

Directions from Finaghy Halt to the ground:

Art White informs me; 'Finaghy Halt has the added advantage of having a pub located next to it. This pub is called the Emerald Roadhouse and is a convenient spot to call and wait for a taxi. Otherwise if you wish to walk; 'On exiting the station turn right along Finaghy Road North. At the end of this road you will reach a T-junction and at the traffic lights turn left onto Andersonstown Road. Walk approximately half a mile and turn right at the traffic lights into Suffolk Road. Walk up Suffolk Road (which is mostly uphill) for half a mile, and you will reach the stadium on your left'.

From Belfast Great Victoria Street Station/Europa Bus Station

Donegal Celtic Park is too far from the city centre to walk, however you have a number of options:

1.Take a taxi from Great Victoria Street Railway Station / Europa Bus Station. Given the distance involved this is likely to be an expensive option.

2.Walk into the City Centre and catch a Falls Road bus service from Queen Street, which is close to City Hall. Bus number 10B / E / F or 81,81A,82,82A all run along Suffolk Road.
 
3. Catch the Portadown train slow service from Great Victoria Street or Belfast Central, alight at Dunmurry station, the ground is 30 minutes walk from here.

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Forest End

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Ground Map

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Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad.

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