Process begins to rename bridge after world-champion boxer Mike McTigue

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

AWORLD champion boxer from Kilnamona deserves to have a bridge in Ennis renamed after him.

Following unanimous approval by members of the Ennis Municipal District, a public consultation period is to be initiated on the renaming of Victoria Bridge on Cusack Rd to The Mike McTigue Bridge.

Born in Lickaun, Kilnamona in 1892, McTigue emigrated to the United States of America in 1912, travelling as a passenger on the British steamer Baltic. For 13 years, he fought in America and by 1923 he got a title fight for the World Light Heavyweight Championship. Civil War was ongoing in Ireland at the time of the St Patrick’s Night fight in La Scala Opera House on Prince’s Street, Dublin. He defeated the then recently crowned champion Battling Siki from Senegal on points after a whopping twenty rounds.

He would defend his title against future Hall of Famers Tommy Loughran, Young Stribling and Mickey Walker before losing the title by unanimous decision to the gold medalist wrestler-turned-boxer Paul Berlenbach in 1925. To mark the centenary of the title fight, a memorial is to be erected of Mike at Kilnamona Cross, this coming weekend. The sculptur who designed it, Michael McTigue a relative of Mike, was present in the Council Chamber for the discussion. Cllr Pat Daly (FF) proposed naming the bridge in honour of the world champion from 1923. McTigue has family descendants now residing at Cusack Rd.

Importance of honouring McTigue approaching the centenary of his world-title win was underlined by Cllr Daly. He acknowledged the renaming of the bridge was at an early stage.

“When you look at Kilnamona people, they come in and out of Ennis every day of the week, they pass the bridge. James Breen claimed he sparred with Mike McTigue, he’s that bit younger, maybe it was Michael Mc-