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Hundreds of Celtic fans from all over Ireland and Scotland attended a ceremony today at Linenhall Square in Mourne View Park to unveil a plaque to remember Willie Maley, the first Celtic Manager who was born in the Barracks on the site on 25th April 1868. The job was given to two great Celtic supporters Davy Hyland and Pat McGinn to unveil the plaque mounted on the Linenhall Arch, which marked an entrance into the Barracks. Davy Hyland was a former Chairperson, Newry and Mourne Council while Pat McGinn was a former Mayor.
Speaking at the ceremony Davy Hyland said "Willie Patrick Maley, the man who made Celtic was born on the 25th April 1868, almost 155 years ago. I think Willie must be looking down on us today because this is the best weather we have had in weeks.
When the Willie Maley Memorial Committee first met two years ago, it was clear that we had a giant task in front of us, specifically how to raise a mighty sum of money to build a true memorial to this great man and the legend who dedicated all of his life for our beloved hoops. We also had to decide where to site the statue. Some people thought it should be in his birthplace, the Barrack's but after much debate and discussion it was agreeed to build it at the top of Monaghan Street, the busiest one in the city at a location where one road led to the hospital and the local council offices while the other one led to Camlough and South Armagh. However as Willie Maley was born in this estate, we felt it was right, and fitting that we should erect a plaque to recognise and appreciate that fact. Willie Maley did not live long enough in Newry to develop a Newry accent or to become an authentic Newry nyuck but I'm sure he never forgot us."
Hyland ended "The committee had to put in a massive effort to raise the necessary funds and they accomplished this on their own without any help of state agencies or bodies. A lot of the monies were raised at Celtic Park itself under the guidance of Tommy Sherridan who from the very beginning has been a loyal and dedicated supporter and a beacon of light for the project."
Pat McGinn added "I stand here today a very proud Celtic bhoy, a very proud member of the Celtic family. Family was utmost in the founding core values of Celtic and today it is fitting at this hugely special occasion we remember those who for generations have kept the faith in and the support for Celtic alive.
"Today we think of those families and friends from Linenhall here from Newry, and from the wider area who talk proudly of Mr William Maley and kept his name alive over the years. We remember our own families and friends who instilled and nurtured the love of Celtic through generations."
