Celtic Pickleball, Co. Louth, Ireland 

Origins:

​Celtic Pickleball was founded and developed by Michael, who played an important role in helping to establish and grow pickleball in Ireland. Through his passion, commitment and hard work, Celtic Pickleball became part of the growing pickleball community. It was through the development of the Association of Irish Pickleball Coaches that Donal first met Michael. Donal was an early volunteer on the steering group involved in establishing the association, sharing the vision of creating a stronger future for pickleball in Ireland through certified coaches and coach-the-coach programmes.

 

Today:

Celtic Pickleball is proudly owned and run by husband and wife Donal and Orla. As parents to three girls, family and community are central to who we are. We want Celtic Pickleball to be about more than paddles, balls and courts. We want to help create opportunities for people to play, connect, learn and enjoy the sport together.

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Taking over Celtic Pickleball was not about starting again. It was about building on the foundations Michael had already created, bringing our own experience, energy and ideas while continuing the values and passion that had shaped the business.

  

Donal was a founding member of Oriel Pickleball Club in Dundalk and has chaired the club committee since its foundation in 2023. What began as a new club has grown into a thriving community of around 150 members. We have also been involved in establishing pickleball in Killinkere and Mullagh, now part of East Cavan Pickleball Club, as well as in Darver, Co. Louth. Another milestone was introducing pickleball to a holiday park in Wexford. Seeing the sport take off in that environment helped demonstrate its appeal as an accessible, social and enjoyable activity, contributing to the growth of pickleball across holiday parks in Ireland's Sunny South East.

 

We are passionate about the continued development of pickleball in Ireland — from grassroots participation and club development to coaching and education and are grateful to Michael for the trust he placed in us when he handed over Celtic Pickleball and we are proud to continue the journey he started. His chapter built the foundations. Now we're excited to write the next one!

 

Welcome to Celtic Pickleball.

 

Donal & Orla

 

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