#OTD in 1999 – Death of boxer ‘Irish’ Jerry Quarry. He is the only fighter to have fought Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier twice.

03/01/2022.Reading time 2 minutes.

Jerry Quarry, nicknamed ‘Irish’ or ‘The Bellflower Bomber,’ was an American heavyweight boxer. Quarry was rated by Ring Magazine as the most popular fighter in the sport, from 1968–1971, during the peak of his career, partly because he was promoted as the ‘Great White Hope.’ Quarry was a durable and smart counter-puncher/action fighter, often noted […]

#OTD in Irish History | 15 September:

15/09/2021.Reading time 9 minutes.

1643 – Death of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork aka Great Earl of Cork, was Lord High Treasurer of the Kingdom of Ireland. Boyle is an important figure in the continuing English colonisation of Ireland (commenced by the Normans) in the 16th and 17th centuries, as he acquired large tracts of land in plantations […]

#OTD in 1972 – The Irish Tourist Board pulls off a major coup getting Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali to promote Ireland.

16/07/2021.Reading time 1 minute.

“Impossible is not a fact.” –Muhammad Ali Killorglin-born circus strongman and publican, Michael “Butty” Sugrue, put up £300,000 and persuaded Muhammad Ali to make his first visit to Ireland to fight against Alvin Lewis in Croke Park on 19 July 1972. Ali went to Ireland with an entourage on 11 July 1972 to spend time […]

#OTD in Irish History | 3 June:

03/06/2021.Reading time 13 minutes.

In the Liturgical calendar, today is the Feast day of Saint Cóemgen, also known as Kevin and Kevin of the Angels. He is the patron of blackbirds, the archdiocese of Dublin and Glendalough, Co Wicklow. 1798 – United Irishmen Rebellion: Government reinforces Gorey and Bunclody, Co Wexford. Rebels decide to attack Gorey. 1810 – Birth […]