Daniel Donnelly
Life 1788-1820; b. Townsend Street, Dublin; carpenters son, lived in Ringsend; became a prize-fighter, having been discovered by a Captain Kelly, a horse trainer from Maddenstown; trained [dried out] at premisses of Kellys br. at Calverstown, near Kilcullen, and matched with Englishman Hall, whom he beat at the Curragh, 14 Sept. 1814, for a purse of £110 in a fight that ran 17 rounds and was attended by 40,000; defeated English Champion Cooper, at Donnellys Hollow, Curragh; failed as a publican in Capel St. and later Poolbeg St.; went to England and beat Oliver in 32 rounds, 1819; returned to Dublin and opened public house in Pill Lane, off Greek St., Dublin; d. of a chill; there is a life by T. G. Hazard (Dublin 1820); there is a commemorative obelisk at Donnellys hollow. DIB [ back ]
Criticism Patrick Myler, Dan Donnelly 1788-1820: Pugilist, Publican, Playboy (Dublin: Lilliput Press 2009), 168pp. [ back ]
Reference Co. Kildare Heritage web site has page on Donnelly, with the following: He was introduced to the Prince Regent (later George IV) who, on meeting Donnelly remarked, I am glad to meet the best man in Ireland to which Donnelly replied, Im not, your Royal Highness, but Im the best in England. This meeting led to a strong friendship, and Dan was later knighted, the last man so honoured during the Regency. [&c.; online]
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