LILYWHITE LOUNGE, BIG PART OF ORIEL
FRIST OPENED IN 1966, BAR UNDER MAIN STAND IS A FIRM FAVOURITE FOR BIG MATCH CELEBRATIONS
It first came into existence in 1966 and has continued to serve the footballing community in Dundalk ever since. As part of the main stand in Oriel Park, the Lilywhite Lounge has become an integral part of the club and its many activities ever since.
The bar has been a constant source of income for the club down through the years and is as popular today as it was when it opened 55 years ago. Although originally opened to service the crowds on match days, it didn’t take too long for it to be open for business every night of the week as the crowds flocked to the pub on the Carrick Road.
Easily one of the most popular nights was Sunday which originated as a follow on after the 3.00pm kickoff for games in the league. However this took somewhat of a redirection in the early 1990s when Sky Sports television was introduced into Ireland. Their coverage of the live premiership games decimated attendance figures at games, forcing the FAI to change games first to Thursday nights and eventually to Fridays where they have remained ever since.
But the Sunday Night Club went from strength to strength. Initially organised by Barlow Rafferty, Seamus Tuite and Joe Conroy who were social club committee members, initiated by club member Tom Moran, the club paid for the live band, the Merrymacs, and the trio enhanced the evening by running draws, Take Your Pick and singsongs which had the pub packed every week. This continued for a number of years before being taken over by Gussie Hearty, Padraig McKeown, Brian Larkin and Roy Mackin.
Such was the popularity of the night and their fundraising prowess that they annually sponsored two of the Dundalk FC league games and were treated to VIP service with the best seats in the stand for the game followed by a meal and visit to the board room, all paid for by the club!
The Lilywhite Lounge down through the years has seen more than its fair share of bar managers who were all active in promoting and running events in the bar and lounge. It soon started to become busy on all nights it was open with Monday seeing the board and social club meetings along with the running of the club’s lotto draw filling the seats. Tuesday was given over to both pool and pub golf competitions. At one point they could boast two pool teams taking part in the Dundalk league.
Wednesday saw the introduction of bingo which proved very popular with the older members of the club. Thursday nights were used for fundraising nights for various clubs, factories and charities and Friday and Saturday night were reserved for private functions that ranged from birthday parties to anniversaries. Rarely a week went by without the Lilywhite Lounge packed and even the Enda McGuill suite was brought into action for the smaller, more intimate functions.
But it was the bar managers who were responsible for continuing its success and characters like Jack Daly, Finbar Hughes, Owenie Woods, Gerry Coleman (twice), Ciaran Warnock, Kevin Holland, Colin Toner, Alan Thompson, and Kevin Carthy all played an integral part in the bar and function room’s accomplishments.
Gerry Coleman had been working in the Jocelyn Inn before being invited to manage the bar in the late 70s. At that time the bar had already increased in size with the addition of an extension that doubled the size of the premises and added on a lounge, dancefloor and stage for live music.
One of the added attractions included during his time was the introduction of the live simulcast of the game onto a big screen in the bar with Harry Lee commentating and Patsy Rogers videoing the proceedings. This proved hugely popular with the regulars, specially during inclement weather, although there were questions asked by spouses of the supporters who were arriving home slightly under the influence after deserting their place on the terraces to enjoy a few pints in the comfort of the lounge while watching the game!
During his second stint as bar manager Gerry was also partially responsible for delaying the start of the 1987 President Cup final. Before the start of the game our now President Michael D. Higgins was in attendance and needed to use the toilet facilities in the bar. While he was there, Gerry asked if he would stand in a photo with him and his son Gavin. Michael D. was happy to facilitate them and with the time taken, the players, staff and supporters were put on hold until Gerry got his photo!
Another well known and respected bar manager was Ciaran Warnock who initially began as a volunteer helping out behind the bar and eventually took over in 1992 and remained there until 2006. At this point in time the bar was a well oiled machine and continued its success mimicking what was happening on the pitch. Such was the prowess of the social club that their New Years Eve party night sold out immediately and the ticket to be there was the most sought after in the run up to the big night.
The live music continued to draw the crowds and local acts like Mickey Mac, John Flood, Derek Kettle, Ciaran Hand, Colm Harney and Seamus McKenna along with many others were often penciled in to play to an appreciative audience for the Sunday Night Club.
Ciaran was also at the helm when the Republic of Ireland squad used Oriel Park as their training ground in the run up to USA 94. Although no alcohol was consumed by any of the team they were regular users of the bar for soft drinks and a place to relax.
Although the pitch in Oriel Park was in constant use for charity events, the bar and lounge have supported numerous fundraisers for local and national charities down through the years and has proved an ideal sized location for anything from a social club fundraiser, club presentation night, table quiz to a fashion show.
The past year has seen major changes due to the covid pandemic; the Lilywhite Lounge has been closed now for over a year and like its other adversaries is waiting to get the all clear to get back to business. Although the Sunday Night Club was on a sabbatical for the previous few months before the lockdown started, it is hoped that the reopening of the bar and lounge will herald the return of the regulars to the club. Time alone will tell, but after over a year away from the bar, it is expected that the first few Sunday nights will be packed, back to business as usual.