A dark chapter: The Great Famine and the hand reaching out from the Ottoman state
period in Irish history, the years of the “Great Famine”. At the time, a fungal disease (phytophthora infestans) infesting potato fields, the staple food of the Irish people, plunged the country into total catastrophe. Fields rotted, storehouses stood empty, and the streets filled with people driven by hunger. Thousands died of starvation, while others crossed the ocean aboard ships, migrating into uncertainty simply to survive. As this tragedy unfolded, Ireland, then a subject of the United Kingdom, was all but abandoned to its fate. Yet far away in Istanbul, the echo of this suffering proved strong enough to move a young sultan to action.
When Sultan Abdülmecid, the Ottoman ruler of the time, read reports at his palace detailing the profound suffering endured by the Irish people, he was deeply shaken. Still in his early twenties, the Sultan decided to send ten thousand pounds in financial aid to Ireland, a sum that was a fortune by the standards of the day. This generous gesture, however, triggered an unexpected diplomatic crisis. Queen Victoria of England, who ruled Ireland, had contributed only two thousand pounds to her own subjects. The prospect of a foreign ruler offering five times that amount was perceived as a loss of prestige for the British court, and British diplomats, as a matter of “courtesy,” asked the Sultan to reduce his donation to one thousand pounds.
Ships that defied the ban and a grueling route
Although Sultan Abdülmecid was obliged by protocol to limit the cash donation to one thousand pounds, he issued a clear order, saying, “The remaining amount will be sent as food and seed.” Acting on the Sultan’s command, three large ships loaded with provisions set sail from the ports of Istanbul and Thessaloniki, embarking on a grueling journey that would last for weeks. Barred from docking at Dublin Port, which was under strict British naval surveillance, the ships slipped northward in secrecy, thanks to the courage and strategic maneuvering of their captains. With great discretion, they reached the mouth of the River Boyne at the Port of Drogheda. When grain, corn, and seeds were delivered to the people of Drogheda, the city was swept by a festive mood. For the first time, the population glimpsed a true light of hope through the aid of these “unknown” friends who had come from thousands of kilometers away. In that moment, the name “Turk” was etched into the collective memory of the Irish people as a helping hand extended in the darkness.
Loyalty on the pitch: Drogheda United and the “Crescent and Star” crest
More than a century has passed, yet this sense of gratitude among the people of Drogheda has not faded; on the contrary, it has grown stronger. Founded in 1919 and gaining professional status in 1975, Drogheda United chose to carry this historical legacy onto the pitch. To honor the arrival of the aid ships that entered the city, the club’s management and supporters placed the crescent and star, symbols of the Ottoman State and Türkiye, at the heart of the club’s official crest.
Today, at Irish Premier League matches at United Park Stadium, giant Turkish flags ripple through the stands, and supporters proudly call themselves “The Turks”. Even the club’s nickname, “The Drogs”, is often woven into terrace chants with a Turkish emphasis. For Drogheda United fans, the crescent and star are not just shapes; they are the seal of help that arrived in a time of need and of a friendship that will never be forgotten.
So what is the secret behind an event that took place 180 years ago and remains so vivid and alive today? The answer lies partly in the culture of loyalty deeply embedded in Irish society. Celtic tradition remembers kindness as firmly as it remembers pain. For the Irish, this story is a life lesson passed down to their children, a reminder that “wherever you are in the world, goodness never disappears”.
There is also the unifying power of sport, especially football. When Drogheda United supporters wear the “crescent and star” jersey, they are not only backing their team; they are representing an identity, a legacy, and a friendship. Younger fans carry this inheritance forward, sharing it with the world through social media. Nurtured by mutual respect and affection, this relationship rests on the foundation of an unforgettable memory.
Being “Turkish” in Ireland: Not a guest, but a host
The crest of Drogheda United and its history gradually became woven into the city’s social fabric. This, in turn, helped shape a more positive perception of Turks across Ireland. Today, for a Turk living in or visiting Ireland, Drogheda feels almost like a “second home”.
You can feel this affection not only among people but also in the city’s architecture. Around “Old Abbey,” one of the city’s oldest landmarks, now operating as a museum hotel, plaques tell the story of how Ottoman sailors were welcomed in this town. On certain signs and monuments in the city square, expressions of gratitude commemorate the aid of 1847. This feeling has spilled out from the stadium stands and spread across stone walls, shop windows, and everyday conversations. In short, being Turkish in Drogheda means far more than simply being a guest.
Burgundy and blue brotherhood: A shared heart beating with Trabzonspor
This deep bond between Drogheda United and Türkiye became even more tangible in the 21st century, becoming one of football’s most compelling stories of friendship. The club’s traditional colors, burgundy and blue, perfectly mirrored those of Trabzonspor, one of the Black Sea region’s most prominent football teams. This seemingly coincidental yet meaningful similarity culminated in 2010 with the signing of an official “sister club” agreement between the two sides. The shared relationship both cities have with the sea, along with the distinct yet kindred character of their people, carried this brotherhood far beyond a signature on paper.
Today, as you walk through Drogheda’s streets in a Trabzonspor jersey, you may find strangers smiling and calling out “Brother!” A local café owner might invite you inside and recount the ships of 1847 with excitement, as if they had arrived only yesterday. This bond shows that football is not merely a 90-minute game but a form of cultural diplomacy that builds bridges between communities.
Brotherhood written by history, kept alive by football
The affection for Turks in Ireland is an unshakable bridge built on lived experience, shared sweat, and bread broken together. As support between the peoples of the two countries continues to this day, a helping hand was also extended, led by Drogheda United, during the earthquake that struck our country.
If your path ever leads you to that green island, step away for a moment from Dublin’s modern bustle. Walk along the River Boyne until you reach Drogheda. When you pass through the gates of United Park, salute the Crescent and Star in the stands. In that moment, you will realize that sometimes a shipload of grain or a last-minute goal is enough to keep a friendship alive for centuries.
