"Long ago before I was the man you see today....."

This Plaque has been Erected

to the Memory of

JACK DOYLE   1913 – 1978

By

His fellow Citizens of Cobh

By Hosts of Admirers at Home and Abroad

And by his Colleagues of the

Ex Boxers Association

I recently spotted this plaque among the Friday Market stalls in Cobh.  I did a blog in August with a photo of the crowd in Patrick’s Street awaiting news of his British Title Fight.

There was some special publications on the centenary anniversary of his birth but they were not read in depth by yours truly. Spotting the plaque last week did bring the Christy Moore song to mind and so did prompt some web searching.

I wrote a few weeks ago about the five titles or occupations listed on the statue of Con Houlihan. Interesting list that the Irish Examiner sub-editor put together for Jack Doyle. I think it would be nice to have ‘lover’ among the five words that describe you. The RTE Documentary Gorgeous Gael uses the word ‘playboy’ which is not as appealing a title.

Very sad for anyone to die of cirrhosis of the liver while living on the streets and for a burial plot to be provided by the charity of others.   

After watching the RTE documentary, I did make a point on my next visit to Cobh to capture further photographs. I do recommend watching the documentary .

Church St. Mural

Mural at Church St., Cobh

Plaque at The Holy Ground

“This area gets its name from the fact that public houses and other establishments serving the needs of visiting sailors were located here in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The oldest pub in Cobh, the “Anti-Gallicon” was reputed to have operated here in the 1780’s. The area was made famous by the song “The Holy Ground”.”

“The Holy Ground’s most famous son is the boxer Jack Doyle (1913 – 1978).”

Clonmel Cemetery

Clonmel Cemetery (Old Church Cemetery) has been used as a burial ground for over 300 years.  The oldest headstone in the cemetery is that of Stephen Towse who died in 1698. Other notable persons buried in the cemetery include Dr. James Roche Verling (d.1857), physician to Napoleon Bonaparte, boxer Jack Doyle (d. 1978) and poet Rev. Charles Wolfe (d.1912). The remains of 169 victims of the sinking of the HMS Lusitania are interred here, mainly in 3 mass graves. Also here are the remains of many members of the Royal Navy, including those who died in explosion of the HMS Mars in 1902 and the Royal Navy submarine ‘A5’ in 1905.”


Cobh Historic Town

Midleton St., Cobh

“Jack Doyle was born at 12 Queen’s street (now Connolly street) Cobh on 31st August 1913. At 17, he enlisted in the Irish Guards where his potential as a boxer was quickly noted. His idol was Jack Dempsey. At six foot five inches tall, a build to match, an a devastating right hand, his army boxing career was highly impressive – 28 fights, 28 wins, an incredible 27 by knockout.

Jack possessed not only a power of punch, but also a charisma that would attract crowds. His singing voice could also hold an audience spellbound. He was bought out of the army.

His first professional fight saw Chris Goulding hit the canvas. Nine more victories followed within a year as his opponents all came, barely saw and were stopped. The British Heavyweight title fight against Jack Peterson at White City incredibly attracted over 90,000 fans. Doyle was disqualified for punching too low and was suspended for 6 months.

Jack realised his show business potential and his first tour commenced in Dublin to capacity audiences.

After his suspension, Jack’s comeback fight was the 83 second destruction of Frank Borrington. He fought four times in the US, but his defeat in controversial circumstances to Buddy Baer led him to abandon boxing for a while. His return fight was in England in 1937 against Alf Robinson. Here he was again disqualified. He next demolished Henry Staals in the sixth round and this contest was quickly followed by a points win against King Levinsky (see Jack in jubilant mood above after this fight). In 1938 and 1939 Jack was knocked out twice by Eddie Philips, the 1939 fight attracting a crowd never before seen in London.

His only Irish fights were during the war years when the fight against Chris Cole was stopped in the first round. However, Jack knocked out Buster Howell in the third round of this contest. Many believed that Doyle was too good looking to be a boxer. He possessed the power to be a World Champion but it was said that there was a defect in his character. It was described as a serious lack of purpose. He loved the high life and spent with abandon. He attracted women with ease and although married twice this didn’t stop his womanising. He drank heavily, battered his movie star wife Movita and alienated his music hall audiences by appearing drunk. He starred in three movies and recorded many records. His earning potential was enormous but as well as drinking, he gambled, was swindled and bought drinks all round. He was declared bankrupt twice and spent time in Mountjoy prison for assaulting a detective. His time as a wrestler ensured easy money for him but it also proved that he could attract audiences like no other. Eventually Jack became persistently drunk, losing all self-respect of which he possessed plenty. He died homeless and destitude in London on 13th December 1978 and is buried in this cemetery.”

Clonmel (Old Church) Cemetery

Patrick Street, Cork

Crowds wait outside Cork Examiner office for result of Jack Doyle v. Peterson heavyweight title fight which took place at White City, London. Doyle was disqualified in the second round. 15/07/1932 Ref. 146B

YouTube

"When I was young and I was in my day
Sure I'd steal what woman's heart there was away
And I'd sing into the dawning
Saw a blaze into the morning
Long before I was the man you see today.

I was born beneath the star that promised all
I could live my life between cork cobh and youghal
But the wheel of fortune took me
From the highest point she shook me
By the bottle, by the bottle I should fall

Chorus
There in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the fall
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving

When I die I'll die a drunk down on the street
He will count me out to ten in clear defeat
Wrap the Starry Plough around me
Let the pipers air resound me there
There I rest until the Lord of Love I meet

Chorus
There in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the brawl
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving."

Jimmy McCarthy