A catalyst, a stalwart and a humanitarian, are some of the words that that have desribed the life and times of Eamonn Baker, said Ernie Brennan. I first met Eamonn in Bron (the sadly missed bohemian cafe situated in the heart of Legend-Derry) to discuss how best to twin his beloved Derry City Football Club’s (DCFC) Brandywell Stadium pitch with Flanders Peace Field, through the CFA’s Peace Field Programme. I was inspired by listening to Eamonn’s stories about how Candy Stripe (DCFC) supporters loved their football without prejudice. The meetings led to the three key Derry legends, Eamonn Baker, Richard Moore and Felix Healy, supporting the Peace Education Through Play Programme to its conclusion. The First Ever Peace Pitch in the League of Ireland Premier Division . A legacy for all Candy Stripes.
‘The Children’s Football Alliance would like it known that Eamonn Baker remains an inspiration for our work with all children; games without frontiers’. Ernie Brennan, CEO, CFA.
‘Dr Eamonn Baker leaves a legacy that is far reaching and he will live on in our hearts, our minds and our memories’. Anne Tracey. St Mary’s Church Creggan 6th May 2025.
‘Eamonn’s legacy is significant and one full of love and laughter. He supported many people along his journey and brought light and positivity to all of us he met’. Memories from Holywell Trust.
‘It is important and appropriate that his writings and his work should be commemorated and celebrated’. Martin Walsh
‘Dr Eamonn Baker made a difference where it matters most, in the mind and in the heart, especially the heart’. Anthony Russell
‘Eamonn Baker came to live at 37, Demesne Avenue on the 16th October, 2002, and what a gift of a neighbour he was’. Marian McCallion
‘Eamonn Baker was a proud Creggan man who never forgot where he came from. He was a man of integrity who had a big presence, a man of substance who had a big presence’. Eamonn O’Donnell
‘He was a man of great humour, unforced decency and immense empathy’. Jimmy McDermot
‘He sought to support those in pain and loss and to reconcile with those who had caused pain’. Jim Lewis
‘He was multi-talented, rigorous, dependable, humorously warm hearted with an unbounded zest for life, and an unforgetable laugh’. James King
‘He was very warm, and very good fun’. Damian Gorman, poet.
‘We shared an ability to talk about ourselves, our families and our lives in mixed conversations about football, literature and politics’. Dave Duggan
‘Eamonn was unique, so unique that there will never be another’. Marie Coyle
‘He was a great, trusted friend and will live in our memories forever’. Michael and Annette Corey
‘While the man is gone too soon, his passion for life abides in the writings he left us. For that we can be grateful’. Brendan Corey
‘Eamonn was first and foremost a sensitive, empathetic and non-judgemental listner, a man who possessed an almost telepathic understanding of people in a manner that quite eludes comprehension’. Dermot Campfield
‘Eamonn loved people and I loved Eamonn’. Andy Arnott
‘Eamonn Baker was a force of nature, a beacon for peace and understanding in our troubled times. I give thanks that he was my friend and enriched my life for 35 years’. Roy Arkuckle
L to R: Richard Moore (Children In Crossfire), Denver Charles (Magherafelt High School), Felix Healy (ex- Northern Irish former international footballer) Ernie Brennan (Childrren’s Football Alliance), Eamonn Baker ( Doctor of Laws (LLD) from Ulster University)
DERRY CITY FC v CORK CITY FC Friday 4th April 2025.
On behalf of DCFC The Peace Pitch Peace Declaration Certificate was signed by life-long Candy Stripes supporters and inspiration for the first peace pitch in the League of Ireland Premiership Division, Eamonn Baker and Richard Moore. At the time of this picture, unfortunately, Eamonn was too poorly to attend. However, Eamonn did sign the Declaration on the morniong of the event from his bedside at Cornfields Care Centre, Limavady.
