Howth Celtic are the latest club to achieve the FAI Club Mark award.

Howth Celtic AFC has provided athletic recreation for thousands of men, women, boys and girls since their foundation in 1962. The club is a respected member of the Dublin Junior, Schoolboys and Women’s Football Leagues.

In 1962, the club played out of Deer Park (Howth Castle grounds) but in 1991 as part of a four-phase club development plan, they purchased their own and current facilities on Carrickbrack Road in Sutton, which is now known as Celtic Park.

The second phase of the club development saw the grounds grow to include a playing surface with fencing, lighting, interim changing rooms which were all built through fundraising and generous donations from the Howth community.

Later a permanent club house containing four dressing rooms with showers, a room for match officials, machinery store and committee room was added. This was thanks in part to €70,000 funding from the National Lottery with the balance met through local contributions.

Present day Howth Celtic has a vibrant and well-established junior section with over 20 teams and 500 members competing across the DDSL and NDSL. In 2020, the club added a girl’s section which has over 100 members training each week. Several underage players have represented their leagues in tournaments across Ireland and the UK. The Senior team are currently competing in the AUL.

The FAI Club Mark is free and optional for clubs and aims to:

• Improve the management of clubs ‘off the field’
• Establish and promote best practice
• Empower and support clubs
• Recognise and reward clubs for achieving high standards
• Increase a club’s capacity to operate effectively and grow football in communities throughout Ireland.

If your club is interested in learning more about the FAI Club Mark please complete this short Registration Form.