Donnelly's Arm for NY exhibition

As has now become known, the famous artifact which was one of the key attractions in The Hideout from the early 50s through to when the late Des Byrne left the business is probably going on exhibition in America.

Subject to all the necessary permissions being acquired, Dan Donnelly's Arm will be included in Fighting Irishmen: A Celebration of Celtic Warriors, a collection of boxing photography and artifacts which will on display at the Irish Arts Center in New York.



A special mural for the event has been painted by artist Patrick Killian for the event.

The arm was presented to the late Jim Byrne at the beginning of the 50s, as part of the An Tostal commemoration of Donnelly's famous fight with the English champion George Cooper at Donnelly's Hollow (below). It remains in the possession of the Byrne family.



It had always been Des's wish to bring the arm on tour in the United States, where there has always been a great interest in the artifact.

The exhibition is the brainchild of Irish Arts Center NY real estate businessman Jim Houlihan, a patron of the Center, which has promoted Irish culture since its inception in 1972. It offers theatre performances, film screenings, exhibitions and classes in Irish music, dance, history and language.

The exhibition will be a stroll down memory lane for fight fans and historians alike. Among the other 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, as well as classic photographs from the lens of legendary Madison Square Garden photographer George Kalinsky.

The collection will also include 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, Jerry Quarry, Jack Dempsey, Jay Tunney, James J Corbett, James J Braddock, Bill Conn, Jimmy McLarlin, Gerry Cooney, Barry McGuigan and Bobby Cassidy, just to name a few.

Fighting Irishmen: A Celebration of Celtic Warriors will be on exhibition for three months through November 30.

There will also be a series of special events commemorating the Celtic warrior, including An Evening with Barry McGuigan and Friends.

Brian Byrne.