Milestone Moment as Carndonagh Boxing Club Turns 50

Carndonagh Boxing Club is gearing up to land a knockout blow of celebration as it marks its 50th anniversary with a special Dinner Show at the Ballyliffin Hotel on Good Friday, April 3rd, 2026.

The event, which begins tomorrow at 8:00pm sharp, will bring together members past and present for an evening of dinner, boxing bouts, and awards honouring the club’s finest fighters. Tickets for the event are priced at €35, and music from DJ Ray to follow, organisers are confident it will be a night that goes the full distance.

Founded in 1976, the club has gone from strength to strength while rolling with the punches in its early days to become a heavyweight presence in local sport. Head Coach and Treasurer John Mulhern, who has been ringside for nearly five decades, says the milestone is a powerful reminder of the town’s fighting spirit.

“There was a boxing club here as far back as 1935,” he said. “It came and went over the years, but nothing steady until 1976 when it started again. Fortunately, we’ve been going strong ever since, and it’s only getting stronger as the years go on.”

Mulhern, who has been involved in Carndonagh Boxing Club since he was ten years old, says the anniversary is a testament not only to the club’s longevity but to the passion for boxing within the local community.

“It's great to see that Carndonagh is the home of boxing,” he said. “There’s a strong interest in it in the area. That’s what it means most especially as we’ve been able to keep it going for so long.”

The club has enjoyed significant success over the past two decades, particularly since moving into its purpose-built premises on Barrack Hill. That development, Mulhern recalls, came after years of fundraising and perseverance during challenging times.

“During the Celtic Tiger, it was nearly impossible to get land, but when things changed, we got our opportunity and took it,” he said. “Around that same time, we had boxers representing Ireland at European and World Championships. For a small town like ours, that was an incredible achievement.”

Among the standout names in the club’s history is Labhaoise Clarke, a ten-time Irish champion who also stepped into the ring on the European and World stage.

Liam Callaghan and Labhaoise's sister Jessica Clarke are among others who have carried the club’s name with distinction, proving that talent in Carndonagh packs a serious punch.

While trophies and titles are a source of pride, Mulhern is equally passionate about the life lessons boxing provides long after the final bell.

“It’s not just about what happens in the ring,” he said. “You have to learn confidence, discipline, and how to put yourself forward. Whether it’s in sport, job interviews, or life in general, those skills are vital.”

He also highlighted the challenges facing modern sport, particularly the risk of burnout among young athletes due to year-round competition across multiple disciplines.

“In the past, every sport had its season,” he explained. “Now everything runs all year, and I don’t think it always does young people any favours. They need that break to come back hungry.”

Despite those challenges, the club continues to thrive, supported by a strong team of 10 qualified coaches, many of them former boxers who have returned to give back to the next generation.

“It’s great to see so many ex-boxers coming back,” Mulhern said. “We’re really blessed with the coaches we have, and the young people respond well to them.”

Looking to the future, Mulhern hopes to see further expansion of the club’s facilities as interest continues to grow.

“In a successful club, you’re always looking for more space,” he said. “That’s a good sign; it means you’re progressing. If you ever feel like you’ve too much space, then you’re probably on the ropes.”

Reflecting on the 50-year milestone, Mulhern described boxing as “a gift” to the town, one which continues to inspire the next Labhaoise Clarke.

“I never thought we’d see the day where we’d have the facilities, the champions, and the level of interest we have now compared to the late ‘70s and ‘80s,” he said. “We’ve achieved an awful lot, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

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Carndonagh Boxing Club is based on Barrack Hill, and new members are always welcome. Anyone interested in joining can contact the club via its Facebook page.

As the club prepares to celebrate half a century, one thing is certain: this is one club that’s not throwing in the towel anytime soon.