Jim Houlihan Honors The Fighting Irish

Celebration Of The "Celtic Warrior" Continues At The South Street Seaport Museum With Writers And Fighters Panel Discussion On June 12th

By John Mooney

By John Mooney

Following a stellar four-month run at the Irish Arts Center, "The Fighting Irishmen: A Celebration of the Celtic Warrior" is continuing its success at the South Street Seaport Museum.

The eclectic collection is not just for boxing historians or ardent fight fans. The artifacts and pictures reconnect visitors with Irish American legends who transcended the sport, including John L. Sullivan, the most popular athlete of the 19th century, and successors to his heavyweight title, including Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney.

The exhibit includes photographs from the archives of Sports Illustrated and Ring magazine, Sullivan's fur coat, a heavy bag from Gene Tunney's training camp, and equipment from female fighter Maureen Shea, used for training actress Hilary Swank for the Academy Award-winning film "Million Dollar Baby." In addition, visitors are able to view videos of historic matches featuring the great Irish fighters.

Undoubtedly, the most unique item in the exhibit is the mummified right arm of the great Irish fighter Dan Donnelly, who famously defeated Englishman George Cooper on the Curragh of Kildare on December 13, 1815. Donnelly died at age 32, less than five years later, in 1820. Grave robbers stole his body and sold it to a doctor who had it reburied -- but not after removing the arm. It was used to teach anatomy, became part of a circus, and was put on display in a bar in Kildare owned by the Byrne family, which loaned it to the exhibition.

"The Fighting Irishmen: A Celebration of the Celtic Warrior" is the brainchild of James J. Houlihan, a boxing historian and a partner at of White Plains-based Houlihan-Parnes/iCap Realty Advisors LLC, commercial real estate firm.

Houlihan had been speaking with Mike Silver, a friend in Philadelphia, who curated an exhibit on Jewish fighters and was inspired to suggest a display on Irish fighters to the Irish Arts Center. The organization immediately reacted favorably, thus giving the busy real estate executive a new job.

"The bravery and tenacity of the Gaels, especially as heroic warriors, are renowned through history," says Jim Houlihan, whose interests include boxing and all things Irish. "The champions and contenders we celebrate in the exhibit exemplify this great tradition."

A number of the great artifacts in "The Fighting Irishmen" exhibit come from his personal collection; the rest of the memorabilia is on loan from other sources, including the fighters themselves and their families. Among the many famous Irish pugilists featured in the displays are Billy Conn, Mickey Ward, Barry McGuigan, James J. Braddock ("The Cinderella Man"), Gerry Cooney, and Muhammad Ali. (The former heavyweight champ, once known as Cassius Clay, had a maternal great-great-grandfather from Co. Clare.)

The exhibit also celebrates fighters who have become lesser known as time has passed, including "Sailor" Tom Sharkey, who lost a close, 25-round fight against Jim Jeffries for the title in 1899, and 1920s world light heavyweight champion Mike McTigue, "The Celtic Cyclone." Also highlighted are nominally Irish fighters of other bloodlines; among them were "Fireman Jim" Flynn (of Italian heritage), who challenged the great Jack Johnson, heavyweight champ Jack Sharkey (of Lithuanian heritage), and "Irish" Benny Cohen.

Great Celtic warriors in boxing have continued into the 21st century, starting with Micky Ward's classic slugfests with Arturo "Thunder" Gatti and including Kevin McBride's stunning victory over Iron Mike Tyson, who was an overwhelming favorite to win, despite his decline in skills. Among today's top Irish fighters are undefeated IBA middleweight champion John Duddy, unbeaten middleweight James Moore, and "The Real Million Dollar Baby" Maureen Shea.

Writers and Fighters

In conjunction with the Celtic Warriors exhibit, on Tuesday, June 12, there will be a "Writers and Fighters," panel discussion on the "sweet science." The event features Co. Wicklow's James Moore, Maureen Shea, and writers Jack Cavanaugh, author of the New York Times best seller Tunney: Boxing's Brainiest Champ, Bobby Cassidy, Jr., and Peter Wood, a former Golden Gloves contender.

A reception and viewing of the exhibit will be held at 6:00 p.m. at South Street Seaport Museum prior to the panel at The Downtown Association (60 Pine Street), which is within walking distance. The discussion begins at 7:30 p.m. 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 calling (212) 748-8786.

There will be two other panel discussions, "Pugilists and Popcorn" on Sept. 18, which will examine the relationship of boxing and Hollywood, and "Fighters and Families" on Nov. 20.

Curator Jim Houlihan

Jim Houlihan grew up in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx and is a graduate of Manhattan Prep and Fordham University's School of Business (CBA 1974). A licensed real estate broker, he represents the fourth generation in a family business founded in 1891 by his great-grandfather. The executive, whose grandparents hail from counties Kerry, Donegal, and Tyrone, has managed daily operations since becoming a partner in 1987.

Jim Houlihan served as chairman of the Great Hunger Memorial Committee of Westchester that created a monument commemorating An Gorta Mor. He serves on the Friends of Westchester County Parks and the Westchester Parks Department Board. Houlihan led the successful fundraising effort for The Rising, a memorial dedicated to the 109 Westchester residents who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

For his humanitarian efforts, he has been honored with the prestigious "Ellis Island Medal of Honor" and has been listed on Irish America's magazine "Top 100" list. In 2004, the Westchester County Board of Legislators bestowed on him the first ever Chairman's Medal of Gratitude. He has been overwhelmed by the support that "The Fighting Irishmen" exhibit has received from the Irish American community.

"Hundreds of people have offered to help by lending items or connecting me with family members of the boxers," the exhibit organizer explained. "Many have come - often wives and girlfriends dragged along unenthusiastically - and been surprised by how much they enjoyed it. This exhibit is a metaphor for how the Irish came here, worked hard, persevered, and triumphed over adversity."

Houlihan serves on the Executive Committee of the President's Council of Fordham University, as well as on the Board of Directors of the Irish Arts Center. He and his wife, Pat, have five children and reside in Bronxville, New York.

The South Street Seaport Museum

Founded in 1967, the South Street Seaport Museum occupies a 12-square block historic district in lower Manhattan-site of the city's original port. The museum's mission is to preserve, interpret and display the history of New York as a world port and the tremendous contribution of maritime enterprise to the economic, social, and cultural heritage of the city and the nation.

South Street Seaport Museum is open 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily except Mondays. Admission: $8 adults; $6 students/seniors with ID; $4 children 5-12; children under 5 and Museum Members free.

The South Street Seaport Museum is located at 12 Fulton Street at the South Street Seaport
Subway: 2, 3, 4, 5, J, Z or M to Fulton Street; A or C to Broadway-Nassau.
Bus: M15 down Second Ave. to Fulton Street