Denis Healy, John Lewis and Barry O’Brien

Barry O’Brien’s public house, The Irish Whip in Ballydehob, is the venue for this recording. Johnny Lewis of Ballydehob begins the discussion by outlining his memories of Danno Mahony’s background. Danno Mahony was the world-renowned for his success in the sport of wrestling in the 1930s. Denis Healy of Kilgarvan discusses the tradition of wrestling in the Cork-Kerry border areas, a tradition which included the Casey brothers from Sneem, County Kerry. Danno Mahony joined the Irish Army as a young man, and he achieved honours as a weight-lifter and wrestler – he was named Irish Champion in both sports. At the age of 22 he left for America to further his sporting career. His training methods, his diet and his successes at competition in America are discussed. Barry O’Brien, also of Ballydehob, explains the circumstances of Danno Mahony’s tragic death and is joined by his two friends in discussing the tragedy which ended a life of great sporting achievement.