A ghostly echo of Celtic pride permeates the air. We are standing here on the Gallowgate. The Gallowgate is more than just a street. It is a living testament to Glasgow’s history. It is a place synonymous with Celtic supporters and Irish culture.
The Gallowgate forms part of the traditional walk to Celtic Park. Thousands of fans have walked this street over the decades. Traditionally, this area was considered a safe haven. It was safe for Celtic fans and the Irish in a city where expressions of Irishness were not always welcome.
Imagine a time when Irish culture was suppressed in Glasgow’s city center. The Gallowgate stood as a beacon. It offered a space where people could freely celebrate their heritage. This street became a symbol of resilience.
Over the years, numerous Celtic bars have graced the Gallowgate. In the Barras, you could find the popular Squirrel Bar and Trader’s Tavern. On the main Gallowgate street, you could find The Saracen Head and The Pheonix. The Pheonix was previously known as The East Enders. Also on the Gallowgate are Bar 67 and the Hoops Bar. At the very top of the Gallowgate, approaching Celtic Park, was The Wee Man’s bar. Each venue displayed Celtic memorabilia. Pictures and paintings adorned the walls. Live music from Irish bands and singers filled the air regularly. Some owners were fantastic people. They did their bit for charities and hosted functions. They massively added to the culture of supporting Celtic.
Many Celtic pubs along the Gallowgate are sadly gone now. The Emerald Isle pub closed recently. Kerry’s Bar and The Foggy Dew are also gone. Most famously of all, Baird’s Bar is no longer here. Baird’s was a Celtic institution. Its walls were a shrine to the club. Memorabilia, newspaper articles, and images covered everything. Scarves hung from the roof. The first ever Celtic supporter’s banner took pride of place above the bar. That banner came from the St. Mary’s Brake Club. This was the very first group of supporters to travel to games together. They used horse and cart in the late 1800s. Brake Clubs were born from the League of the Cross. The St. Mary’s branch in the Calton was the first to ever exist. The banner depicts the image of early fan favorite Tom Maley.
Even Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld worked in Baird’s Bar for a while. The pub is famed for a press conference. Kenny Dalglish held it there in March 2000. Celtic were at a low ebb. Kenny Dalglish had just taken over from John Barnes in February 2000. The club had just exited the Scottish Cup. They lost to lowly Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-2. The press coverage of the new interim management was relentless. Dalglish took exception to the reporting. He ordered a press conference to be relocated to Baird’s Bar on the Gallowgate. It was a working-class beacon of hardcore Celtic support.
The sound of Irish bands was silenced. The thunderous atmosphere stilled. The wall-to-wall memorabilia within this Celtic shrine remained silent. A journalist opened the press conference. He asked, “Why are we here?” Dalglish replied, “Because I’m comfortable here. We like to get out and show the fans how we get ready for the game. They get to see a media conference.”
Interestingly, the childhood home of Joseph Nelis was located here. He was one of the founding fathers of Celtic. His home was at number 4 McFarlane Street. This road is directly next to Bar 67. Nelis was a great businessman and pawnbroker. He was a strong opponent of Celtic being converted into a limited liability company in 1897. Ironically, the meeting which confirmed the club’s change in status took place in the Gallowgate. It was at Annfield Halls. This is the site of the Bellgrove Hotel today.
The Gallowgate is a place of contrasts. It is a place of celebration and struggle. It is a place where history is etched into the very fabric of the street. Remember the stories of the Gallowgate. They are a reminder of the enduring power of community and identity. They are a reminder in the face of adversity.