Rich legacy of Mayo football club highlighted by photo exhibition

A photographic exhibition celebrating the rich history and legacy of Castlebar Celtic Football Club has been launched at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Mayo's county town.

The exhibition, entitled 'Framed Memories of Castlebar Celtic', will remain on display at the venue until May 31 as the club continues to mark its centenary.

The impressive mounted display celebrates the club's remarkable journey since its foundation in 1924.

Through a carefully curated collection of images, the exhibition aims to evoke nostalgia, inspire pride and foster a sense of community among current and former players, supporters and the wider community.

Each photograph serves as a visual narrative, capturing pivotal moments, iconic players and memorable events throughout the club's 100 years in existence.

Launching the exhibition, Johnny Mee, a former chairman and player of the club, paid tribute to all those responsible in marking the centenary of Castlebar Celtic.

He recalled many of his own football memories over the years, noting that his attendance at Celtic's 1-0 Connaught Cup final triumph over Galway Rovers in 1948 at Maryland Park filled him with an immense love and passion for the club that remained as strong as ever today.

Fergus McEllin, who was involved in curating the exhibition, referenced the fact it had not always been popular to play soccer in Castlebar and many great players were prevented from going so over the decades.

It was a challenge he encountered himself in his own early playing days and he is glad that such discrimination no longer exists with players entitled to make the own personal choices, as it should be.

While soccer was always McEllin's first choice, he did win a Mayo GAA Centenary Cup medal in the colours of Castlebar Mitchels in 1984.

Joe Redmond, president, said he was proud to work alongside Mick Staunton, Fergie McEllin and others in bringing the exhibition to fruition.

"They say every picture tells a story and, looking around us, memories of games won and lost come flooding back.

"From the founder fathers back in 1924 to the many great people who put so much of their time and effort into making the club the success it is today, we remember them with pride and gratitude."

Deirdre Melvin, on behalf of the Linenhall Arts Centre, praised the club on its wonderful sense of community and she urged the public to take time to view the many fine photographs on display over the coming weeks.

The centre is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

View photographs from the launch here.