Identity area
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Title
Date(s)
- Twentieth Century (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
leather, hay, fabric. 28 x 22.5
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Archival history
16/04/2025
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Boxing Gloves worn by Gearóid O'Colmáin when he won the Heavyweight Boxing European Championship in 1947.
"The Fighting Farrier"
One of Ireland's greatest boxers, Gerry ó Colmáin attributed his strength to working in the family forge on Camden Place, where he made horseshoes. "The hard work on the anvil was worth more than all the workouts, sparring sessions and roadwork you could get."
This fighting farrier represented Ireland at the 1947 European Championships. In the final, Ó Colmáin floored the English favourite George Scriven with a punch that burst his glove. As a result, he ended up boxing with three gloves, which you can see here. Gerry Ó Colmáin remains the only Irish heavyweight to win a European title.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
There are three gloves in the collection as one of them burst during the match and was replaced.
Two gloves are partially burst, one more seriously than the other.
All three gloves are labelled with "Frank Bryan Olympic Champion" likely the manufacturer.
