Boxing Exhibit “Fighting Irishmen” To Include Panel Discussion On The Sweet Science

Fighting Irishmen: Celebrating Celtic Prizefighters 1820-Present will present “Writers and Fighters,” a panel discussion on the “Sweet Science” on Tuesday night, June 12, at The Down Town Association. The forum will include unbeaten Irish Middleweight James Moore, Irish standout boxer Maureen Shea, and authors Jack Cavanaugh, Bobby Cassidy Jr. and Peter Wood.

The widely popular Fighting Irishmen: Celebrating Celtic Prizefighters 1820-Present exhibit set sail down the East River of Manhattan for the South Street Seaport Museum on March 16, with curator Jim Houlihan at the helm. The exhibit is a collaborative effort between the South Street Seaport Museum and the Irish Arts Center.

The eclectic collection of boxing photography and artifacts – which will continue through December 31 – is once again open to the public, and just completed a four month run at the Irish Arts Center. It is a veritable stroll down memory lane for fight fans and historians alike.

Among the artifacts and pictures on display will be the legendary John L. Sullivan’s fur coat; a blazer specially made for Jack Dempsey; photographs from the archives of Sports Illustrated; Charlie Nash’s Olympic jersey when he was fighting for Ireland; photographs of the classic Micky Ward vs. Arturo Gatti trilogy; and historic photos of such memorable Irish fighters as John L. Sullivan, James J. Braddock, Billy Conn, Jerry Quarry, Gerry Cooney, Barry McGuigan and Bobby Cassidy, just to name a few.

The new and expanded exhibit will also include: a heavy bag from Gene Tunney’s training camp; equipment from current female fighter Maureen Shea, used for training actress Hilary Swank for the acclaimed film Million Dollar Baby, and three original oil painting’s from the Tunney collection by the artist Mahonri Young, Brigham Young’s grandson.

In addition, visitors will be able to view video of historic fights during their tours of the exhibit. Of course, certainly the most unique item in the exhibit – the late, great Irish fighter Dan Donnelly’s mummified right arm – will again be on display thanks to Josephine Byrne.

A reception and viewing of the exhibit will be held at 6:00 PM at South Street Seaport Museum prior to the forum at The Downtown Association (located at 60 Pine Street, NY, NY), which is within walking distance. The discussion forum begins at 7:30PM.

Tickets are $35 for General Admission and $50 for limited VIP seating and can be purchased by
E-mailing reservations@southstseaport.org, visiting www.NYCharities.org or by calling 212-748-8786.

The South Street Seaport Museum is located at 12 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038. Making the exhibit of even greater historical significance is that the South Street Seaport