Celtic fans in Ireland will now have to go online to buy their team's merchandise.
After 22 years in the Jervis Centre in Dublin, the Celtic Store is no more. The club announced in a statement it won't be renewing the lease.
It's an unfortunate state of affairs for those who've made the trip to the club shop over the years. The Scottish club's presence in Dublin will now come to an end.
In a club statement, the club attributed it to the "huge shift to our increasingly popular online store over the last few years." No doubt the closure of shops during the pandemic was a factor.
"Like many other organisations," the statement read, they'll be focusing "on the growth of its online channel." The lease is up at the end of October.
“Death, taxes & The Celtic Store in Jervis”
I’ve zero grá for Celtic FC but very sad to see jobs lost & Celtic’s Dublin store disappear. Some of the nicest people you’ll meet have worked there through the years.
You always remember your first job! 💔 https://t.co/lSHy28LrKm— Shane Dawson (@SDawsonSport) September 24, 2021
Celtic say they've contacted their season ticket holders to notify them of the move. They've encouraged supporters they'll continue to serve them on store.celticfc.com.
The Reaction
Celtic fan site 'Celtsarehere' cited the inevitable delay in shipping. Instead of merchandise being shipped from the Dublin store, it'll all now run out of Glasgow.
They say it's "unlikely" that Irish fans will "get their merchandise through the post as promptly" but understands it's likely a cost-effective measure for the club.
On Twitter, one person remarked, "I just think it’s pretty neat that there’s a Celtic shop in Jervis." The removal now leaves only one club represented in the area.
Across the road, Liverpool have their central Dublin store in the Ilac Centre. It follows on from pop-up LFC stores in Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown.
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