Celtic music hand-in-hand with footy

Bringing some of the Celtic tradition to Ipswich are Alan Quinn (left) and Padraig Mor (right) who will be playing at the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Sarah Keayes

GREEN and white blood virtually courses through the veins of Irish entertainers and die-hard Celtic fans Alan Quinn and Padraig Mor.

The duo regularly play to thousands in Glasgow and Ireland and are touring as part of Celtic Football Clubs' tour to Australia.

The Scottish soccer giants are set to play the Brisbane Roar in the Roar Against Racism match at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday, with Mor and Quinn planning a gig in Ipswich tonight. Together the duo has entertained Celtic fans all over Europe, from Barcelona to Milan to Manchester and everywhere in between.

Mor's latest solo album Legends has received rave reviews from numerous Celtic fanzines.

He said he was looking forward to swapping stories with local Celtic fans when he hits the country.

“I'm really looking forward to catching up with all the Celtic exiles out there in Australia. It's going to be great,” he said.

Concert co-organiser Matt Clark said it was the opportunity for Celtic fans to not only see the team on their first tour of the country since the 1970s, but also two of Glasgow's finest Celtic performers.

“To get them playing here is definitely a big coup for Ipswich,” Mr Clark said.

“They came out on the back of the Celtics match and this is the first time either has been in the country.”

Mr Clark said Celtic music and culture had always gone hand in hand with Celtic Football Club.

“The Celtic Football Club is steeped in the tradition of Irish freedom and ever since they formed the Celtic team have been steeped in the culture of Irish music and songs about Irish freedom and nationalism,” he said.

The gig kicks off tonight at 7pm at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Brisbane Street, with support from local artist Jared Kranz.