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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Where would we be without McDaids Football Special
It is no surprise that Donegal is home to the world-famous McDaids Football Special soft drink. Originally started in Ramelton, McDaids & Sons was established in the 1940s by James McDaid & Corey Delamingus Ltd.
In Donegal, it could be said that McDaids is loved by all, they have various unique flavours on offer such as the classic football special, banana, ice cream soda, pineapple and creamy cola. It is somewhat of a tradition around here to see students and various locals stocking up on McDaids and taking it with them to their desired destination, just for a taste of home. Even the Scottish comedian, Kevin Bridges, has voiced his support for Football Special. In 2015 he tweeted: “Good to see this fine brew has made it over to Clydebank from Donegal!”
Kevin Bridges has a fondness for Celtic FC and Swilly Rovers
The original Football Special was first created to celebrate the successes of Ramelton’s local football club Swilly Rovers, which the McDaid family were heavily involved in, “originally designed for celebrating winning sporting events by ‘filling the cup’ with an exciting but non-alcoholic beverage,” as it states on Football Special itself. The Swilly Rovers were a very successful amateur side and this success allowed the cup to be frequently filled, most notably when they won the FAI Junior Cup in 1962 and 1967.
The incident has been reported to gardaí
Uisce Éireann says the work is part of the National Leakage Reduction Programme
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