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Ireland:
News
Ireland
(Wikipedia)
St. Patrick's Day 2025
Saint
Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish:
Lá Fhéile Pádraig, lit. 'the
Day of the Festival of Patrick'), is a religious and
cultural holiday held on 17 March, the traditional
death date of Saint Patrick (c. 385 – c. 461),
the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
News
St.
Patrick's Day 2025: A Tapestry of Global Celebrations
On
March 18, 2025, people around the world celebrated
St. Patrick's Day with various activities and expressions
of Irish culture. Celebrations included wearing green
attire, sharing images of traditional Irish symbols
like shamrocks, and engaging in customary activities
like drinking Guinness. The day was marked by a blend
of personal celebrations, community gatherings, and
online sharing of festive moments. Notable figures
like Dolly Parton and WWE's Sheamus joined in the
festivities, showcasing their celebrations through
themed outfits and settings. Discussions also touched
on cultural solidarity and humor, with some posts
playfully referencing Irish stereotypes. The overall
atmosphere was one of joy, cultural pride, and community
spirit, with many wishing for a safe and enjoyable
holiday. (Grok)
News
McGregor
Highlights Irish Immigration Issues at White House
Conor
McGregor used his platform at the White House to voice
concerns about what he describes as Ireland's immigration
crisis. During a Saint Patrick's Day event, McGregor
claimed that rural Irish towns are being overrun,
leading to a demographic shift. His statements have
sparked a range of reactions, with some supporting
his views while others, including Irish politician
Colum Eastwood, express embarrassment over his comments,
emphasizing that McGregor does not represent the Irish
populace.
News
Ireland:
Wrestlers
Ireland
has produced a number of talented professional wrestlers
who have made significant impacts in the global wrestling
scene, particularly in promotions like WWE, New Japan
Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and various independent circuits.
Here’s a rundown of some notable pro wrestlers
from Ireland:
From
the Republic of Ireland
Becky
Lynch (Rebecca Quin)
Born in Limerick and raised in Dublin, Becky Lynch
is arguably the most famous Irish wrestler today.
Known as "The Man," she has achieved mainstream
success in WWE, becoming the inaugural SmackDown Women’s
Champion in 2016 and headlining WrestleMania 35 in
2019 as the first woman to do so. Her charisma, in-ring
ability, and trailblazing role in the women’s
division have made her a global superstar.
Finn
Bálor (Fergal Devitt)
Hailing from Bray, County Wicklow, Finn Bálor
is a standout figure in wrestling. Before joining
WWE, he gained fame in NJPW as Prince Devitt, where
he founded the influential Bullet Club stable. In
WWE, he became the first-ever Universal Champion in
2016 and held the NXT Championship for a record-setting
292 days. His "Demon" persona and high-flying
style have made him a fan favorite.
Sheamus
(Stephen Farrelly)
Born in Dublin, Sheamus, dubbed "The Celtic Warrior,"
has had a storied career in WWE. He’s a multiple-time
world champion, including winning the WWE Championship
in 2010. Known for his brawling style and distinctive
red hair, Sheamus has been a prominent figure on WWE’s
main roster for over a decade.
Lyra
Valkyria (Aoife Cusack)
From Dublin, Lyra Valkyria is a rising star who debuted
in WWE’s NXT UK and later moved to NXT in the
U.S. She won the NXT Women’s Championship in
2023 by defeating Becky Lynch, showcasing her potential
as a future main-roster standout. She’s now on
Monday Night Raw, continuing to build her legacy.
JD
McDonagh (Jordan Devlin)
Also from Dublin, JD McDonagh, trained by Finn Bálor,
made waves in NXT UK and NXT, holding the NXT Cruiserweight
Championship for a record 349 days (partly due to
travel restrictions during COVID-19). Now on WWE’s
main roster, he’s part of The Judgment Day faction
alongside Bálor.
From
Northern Ireland
Fit Finlay (David Finlay Jr.)
Born in Belfast, Finlay is a wrestling veteran known
for his tough, old-school style. He competed in WCW
and WWE, where he won the United States Championship.
Beyond his in-ring career, Finlay has been instrumental
as a trainer and producer in WWE, particularly in
elevating the women’s division.
Big
Damo (Damian Mackle)
From Belfast, formerly known as Killian Dain in WWE,
Big Damo is a towering figure at 6’4” and
over 300 lbs. He’s wrestled in NXT and on the
main roster, often as part of the Sanity faction.
His presence and advocacy for wrestling as a unifying
force in Northern Ireland stand out.
Dave
Finlay (David Finlay)
The son of Fit Finlay, also from Belfast, Dave Finlay
has carved his own path in NJPW, where he currently
competes and has held the IWGP Global Heavyweight
Championship. He represents the next generation of
Irish wrestling talent on the international stage.
Historical
Figures
Danno
O’Mahony
From Ballydehob, County Cork, O’Mahony was a
pioneer in the 1930s, credited with popularizing the
Irish Whip maneuver. He won the NWA World Heavyweight
Championship in 1935 and was a major draw for Irish
immigrant audiences in the U.S.
Steve
"Crusher" Casey
Born in County Kerry, Casey was another early star,
winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in
1938. Known for his strength and the "Killarney
Flip," he came from a famously tough family of
athletes.
Emerging
Talent and the Irish Scene
Ireland’s
wrestling scene, though relatively small with a population
of under 7 million across the island, punches above
its weight. Promotions like Over The Top Wrestling
(OTT) in Dublin and Titanic Pro Wrestling in Belfast
have nurtured talents such as Debbie Keitel, Raven
Creed, and LJ Cleary, who are gaining recognition
locally and abroad. The Fight Factory Pro Wrestling
school in Dublin has been a key training ground for
stars like Lynch, Bálor, and Valkyria.
Ireland’s
contribution to pro wrestling reflects a blend of
grit, charisma, and athleticism, with its wrestlers
often drawing on their heritage to connect with fans
worldwide. Whether through the global dominance of
Lynch and Bálor or the emerging promise of
Valkyria and McDonagh, the Emerald Isle continues
to leave its mark on the squared circle. (Grok)
News
Ireland:
Boxers
Ireland
has a rich history of producing talented boxers, earning
a reputation as a powerhouse in the sport. From world
champions to Olympic medalists, Irish boxers have
left an indelible mark on both amateur and professional
boxing. Below is an overview of some notable boxers
from Ireland, spanning various eras and weight classes.
Legendary
Irish Boxers
Katie
Taylor: Widely regarded as one of the greatest female
boxers of all time, Taylor, from Bray, County Wicklow,
has achieved unparalleled success. She won Olympic
gold in the lightweight division at the 2012 London
Games, becoming Ireland’s first female boxing
Olympic champion. As a professional, she became the
undisputed lightweight champion, holding the WBA,
WBC, IBF, and WBO titles simultaneously, and later
added super lightweight titles to her resume. Her
amateur career included five consecutive World Championship
gold medals, showcasing her dominance.
Barry
McGuigan: Known as "The Clones Cyclone,"
McGuigan, from Clones, County Monaghan, became a symbol
of unity during Ireland’s Troubles in the 1980s.
He won the WBA featherweight title in 1985 by defeating
Eusebio Pedroza in a memorable fight at Loftus Road,
London. His exciting style and resilience made him
a fan favorite, and his legacy transcends boxing due
to his cultural impact.
Steve
Collins: Nicknamed "The Celtic Warrior,"
Collins, from Dublin, was a two-weight world champion.
He claimed the WBO middleweight title in 1994 and
later the WBO super-middleweight title, famously defeating
Chris Eubank twice. Known for his toughness and psychological
warfare, Collins retired undefeated as a champion
in 1997.
Carl
Frampton: Hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland,
"The Jackal" became a two-division world
champion. He held the WBA and IBF super-bantamweight
titles and later the WBA featherweight title, defeating
notable fighters like Leo Santa Cruz. Frampton’s
technical skill and charisma made him a modern Irish
boxing icon until his retirement in 2021.
Jack
"Nonpareil" Dempsey: Born in County Kildare
in 1862, Dempsey emigrated to the United States and
became the first middleweight world champion in 1884.
Known for his slick boxing style, he held the title
until 1891 and is considered a pioneer of the sport,
despite dying young from tuberculosis at age 33.
Olympic
Success
Ireland’s
boxing prowess shines brightly in the Olympics, where
it is the country’s most successful sport, accounting
for 18 of Ireland’s 38 total medals as of the
2024 Paris Games. Notable Olympic medalists include:
Michael
Carruth: Won gold in the welterweight division at
the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Ireland’s first
boxing Olympic champion.
Kellie
Harrington: Secured lightweight gold at the 2020 Tokyo
Olympics (held in 2021), adding to Ireland’s
Olympic legacy, and followed it with a silver in Paris
2024.
Paddy
Barnes: Earned bronze medals in the light flyweight
division at both the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London
Olympics, making him the only Irish boxer with two
Olympic medals.
Aoife
O’Rourke and Lisa O’Rourke: Sisters from
Roscommon who made history at the 2025 Women’s
World Championships by reaching the finals on the
same day, with Aoife (75kg) and Lisa (70kg) each securing
silver medals.
Modern
Standouts
Andy
Lee: A middleweight world champion from Limerick,
Lee won the WBO title in 2014 with a knockout of Matt
Korobov. Trained by the legendary Emanuel Steward,
he’s now a respected coach.
Wayne
McCullough: Known as "The Pocket Rocket,"
this Belfast native won the WBC bantamweight title
in 1995 and earned a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics.
His durability was legendary, facing top fighters
like Naseem Hamed and Erik Morales.
Callum
Walsh: An emerging talent from Cork, Walsh has been
making waves in the professional ranks, with a notable
first-round knockout in 2025, signaling his potential
as a future star.
Irish
Boxing Culture
Ireland’s
success stems from a strong amateur system, with clubs
across the country nurturing talent from a young age.
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) oversees
a competitive national scene, producing fighters who
excel internationally. Boxing’s popularity in
Ireland is also tied to its working-class roots and
the "Fighting Irish" spirit, a tenacity
evident in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Whether
it’s the historical figures like Jimmy McLarnin,
a welterweight great from the 1930s, or current prospects
like the O’Rourke sisters, Ireland continues
to punch above its weight in the global boxing landscape.
Who are your favorite Irish boxers, or is there a
specific era or fighter you’d like to know more
about? (Grok)
Videos
Sheamus
Talks His Start In WWE & His Brutal Style In The
Ring | Pat McAfee Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usEZ9AxagEc
Conor
McGregor hits back at comments made by Irish prime
minister (Sky News YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX1-DpWzA2U
'Travesty':
Conor McGregor torches Ireland’s immigration
stance at White House (Sky News Australia YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vArCfmAue7g
Media
Man Int
World
News
https://www.mediamanint.com/world_news.html
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Sports
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