That this unique flavour is spreading nationwide is a source of pride for Donegal residents. “Everyone’s probably really proud of it,” McCallum said. “It’s definitely a good thing for Ramelton and for Donegal.”
Limited runs with supermarket giant Lidl are bringing Football Special across the Emerald Isle and beyond. Belfast’s The Reporter bar now serves it, and you can have it with pizza at The Dough Bros in Galway. It’s sold in stores in Glasgow and the US’s East Coast, popular among members of the Irish diaspora. “Multiple generations are drinking it,” said Isobel Williams, the company’s marketing coordinator.
Its rise in popularity coincides with dropping alcohol consumption rates across Ireland. A report by Drinks Ireland found that non-alcoholic beer sales in Ireland shot up by 25% in 2024 and there has been a widely reported trend in eschewing alcohol among Ireland’s Gen Z cohort.
“[It’s] a good alternative to alcoholic drinks when you’re out, definitely,” said McCallum, herself a Gen Zedder. “If you’re a designated driver, it is something you’d be more inclined to reach for.” Ramelton bartender McDaid agrees: “It would be commonly drunk in the bar. Especially for people outside of the county, they come up to try Football Special.”
But wherever you sip that maddeningly elusive flavour, the best place to enjoy Football Special is still in Donegal; the wild and beautiful county that has sustained this drink over generations.
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