Celtic Park (Belfast)
Origins
### Origins

Two Belfast bookmakers called Joe Shaw and Hugh McAlinden visited to [Belle Vue Stadium](/wiki/Belle_Vue_Stadium "Belle Vue Stadium") in 1926 to view the new form of greyhound racing around an oval. They duly formed the National Racing Greyhound Company with the assistance of Paddy O’Donoghue and James Clarke. It was the first greyhound track to open in Ireland on Easter Monday 18 April 1927, and one of the first in the [United Kingdom](/wiki/United_Kingdom "United Kingdom").[http://greyhoundderby.com/Belfast%20Celtic%20Greyhound%20Stadium.html](http://greyhoundderby.com/Belfast%20Celtic%20Greyhound%20Stadium.html) Greyhound Derby The company would take control of Ireland's second track [Shelbourne Park](/wiki/Shelbourne_Park "Shelbourne Park") in 1927\.

McAlinden was the chairman of Belfast Celtic and he instigated the lease of the stadium for the racing which would be governed by the Irish Coursing Club, the official regulatory body of greyhound racing in Ireland. On opening night racing consisted of two hurdles races in the six race card and one race ended with a dead heat between Keep Whistling and Imperial Jimmy.


Can you name any famous greyhound racing events held in Ireland?