"Donnelly and Cooper" is an Irish ballad recounting a historic bare-knuckle boxing match between Dan Donnelly

Dan Donnelly (boxer)

Dan Donnelly was a professional boxing pioneer and the first Irish-born heavyweight champion. He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Pioneers Category in 2008.-Champion of the needy:...

 and George Cooper.

Description

The ballad describes the meeting of the Irish boxer, Donnelly, and his English opponent, Cooper. At the start of the fight, the odd are 10:1 in Cooper's favor. During the match, each fighter in turn scores knockdown blows. After Cooper scores what appears to be a winning blow, the sister of Donnelly's trainer exhorts him to get up, informing him that she has bet her entire estate on his victory. Donnelly rises and is triumphant.

The author of the ballad is unknown.

The ballad has been in circulation since circa 1845. The earliest verifiable date found in publication is 1854.

The contest depicted in the song took place on December 13, 1815, at the Curragh of Kildare

Curragh

The Curragh is a flat open plain of almost 5,000 acres of common land in County Kildare, Ireland, between Newbridge and Kildare. This area is well-known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the famous Japanese Gardens. Also...

in Ireland. In honor of his victory, the location of the bout was renamed Donnelly's Hollow, and a commemorative monument was later erected on the site.

Multiple variants of the lyrics have been published in folk music collections.

In the mid 19th century, the ballad passed from the oral tradition into publication through the printing of broadsides in Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States.

Another of Donnelly's ring victories is the subject of the ballad "Donnelly and Oliver". The theme of the proud Irishman in a bare-fist fight is repeated in "Morrissey and the Black", "Morrissey and the Russian Sailor", and "Heenan and Sayers".

"Donnelly and Cooper" is set to the tune of "I'm the Boy Can Do It". The melody was later used in "Morrissey and the Russian Sailor", "Heenan and Sayers", and "Relief for Ireland".

Overview, terms, and variants

Verse 1 An introduction to the subject of the ballad.

Donnelly: Dan Donnelly, Irish boxer

Cooper: George Cooper, English boxer

Kildare: Irish city, 50km SW of Dublin

Verse 2 Troubled by his victory over one of their countrymen, the English followers of boxing challenge Donnelly to another bout.

Britannia: A personification of the British people

Granua: A personification of the Irish people

third/tenth

Granua/Granu/Granue/Grania/Grannia/Grauna

Donnelly/Daniel/Donnely/Donally

all/Hall

Hall: Tom Hall, English boxer

Verse 3 The challenge is received, and Donnelly's supporters urge him to fight once again.

Hibernia: Ireland

Hibernia/Erin/Shamrock/Hiberna

Verse 4 The challenge is accepted; Cooper is the heavy favorite to win.

Captain Kelly: Donnelly's trainer

Curragh: an open plain

Kildare/Kildary

Verse 5 The bout commences. Donnelly scores the first knockdown. Bets were placed not only on who would win the match, but on other events, like who would draw first blood.

£10,000/£1000

Verse 6 Cooper scores the next two knockdowns.


Verse 7 Cooper's fans anticipate his victory.


Verse 8 Miss Kelly informs Donnelly that she has be her entire estate on him.

Miss Kelly: sister of Captain Kelly

Verse 9 Donnelly assures Captain Kelly, that although down, he is not finished.


Verse 10 Miss Kelly expresses her confidence in Donnelly's abilities.


Verse 11 Donnelly rises and delivers the decisive blow.


Verse 12 Donnelly is declared victor.