New York City’s 2012 Craic Fest - focus on films - VIDEOS

In the fascinating new film documentary In Sunshine or In Shadows, which will screen on the closing night of this year’s Craic Fest on March 10 at the Tribeca Cinema, award-winning director Andrew Gallimore explores that remarkable night in Irish sporting history when the ultimate outsider climbed to the top of the world rankings.

It’s been over a quarter of a century now since legendary boxer Barry McGuigan sent Irish pulses racing, but there was a time when Ireland needed the featherweight world champion more than they could ever have expressed.

That time arrived on a balmy hot night in London in 1985 when McGuigan, the Clones Cyclone, dropped the long reigning featherweight champion Eusebio Pedroza from Panama in the seventh round and won a 15 round decision in a fight that riveted the whole country.

______________

READ MORE:

More Irish arts news from Irish Central

Off the Record: Romantic tunes for St. Valentine's Day - review of Paul McCartney Live Itunes concert

Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd to attend Irish Film & Television Awards
__________________

What a night that was for Ireland. With the ongoing Troubles in the North scarring both communities and fraying the bonds between Northern Ireland and the Republic, here was man who seemed to exemplify everything that was best in us.

McGuigan had courage, skill, smarts and style. He was born to become a world champion.

Irish sporting heroes have further to climb. The country's isolation, its lack of facilities in the recession hit 1980s, and its slim contribution to the world rakings all argued against McGuigan.

There were political hurdles too. But as the film makes clear, from the beginning McGuigan knew he wanted to represent the whole of Ireland, including all of its faith traditions and political aspirations.
He refused any narrow or bluntly sectarian gestures and that meant he was embraced by all, both Protestant and Catholic.

"The shadows ran deep," says McGuigan. "And my fights felt a little like sunshine. Both sides would say, 'Leave the fighting to McGuigan.' You see, it was also entertainment – people loved to forget the Troubles a while.

“The fact that I wouldn't wear green, white and gold or put on a sign that said this is who I represent was powerful. It was a very mature and dangerous thing to do. I wouldn't choose sides. People appreciated that."

McGuigan followed the example of football legend George Best and stayed away from any kind of sectarian displays throughout his entire career, professionally and personally.

In the 1980s he fell for and eventually married a Protestant, and in his own way became a symbol of the reconciliation the whole country was seeking.

​
Nster.com