I love this photo. Taken in 1900, it shows two tug-of-war sides. On the left, and boasting some quality custom ‘DMP’ shirts, we have the Dublin Metropolitan Police. On the right, and winning the war of the mustaches, the Dublin Fire Brigade.
Tug-of-war was a hugely popular sportstime in the early twentieth century, and The Irish Times of October 17th, 1908 noted that the Dublin Metropolitan Police team became the “World Champions” of the sport by overcoming the Liverpool Police at Ballsbridge during the August Bank Holiday.
In 1924, the Dublin Metropolitan Police team returned home from England with the ‘City of Hull Tramways Challenge Cup’ and, The Irish Times noted, were recevied by a large crowd which included Mr. Kevin O’ Higgins, Minister for Home Affairs.
Another 1924 report indiciates that along with the DMP, the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Royal Ulster Constabulary among others had strong tug-of-war sides.
While I don’t know the outcome of the 1900 encounter between the DMP and the Dublin firemen, the track record of the DMP in the sport means it doesn’t look good for the firemen. I’d love to hear from you if anyone knows more of their encounters!
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
Hi,
Just looking at your TOW picture, it is actually earlier than 1900.
The coach of the DMP team is my Great Grandfather Inspector James Perry. James died in August 1899. I have a copy of a photo of the just the DMP team with a big Trophy in front of them and the Tug of War rope. Man for man it looks as though it is the exact team as in your photo with the exact same attire and it is my belief probably taken on the same day (the backdrop looks same except wall only). I received the photo from a relative in the USA a few years back (she had the date of the photo as 1889).
I have also the obituary details of my G-Grandfather from the News & Dublin Lantern 19/8/1899 which states – He coached the famous champion tug-of-war team composed of members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force, which during a considerable period carried off premier honours in that line of sport.
If you would like to see a copy of the Team drop me your e-mail and I will forward.
Hi, Sean, I just saw your post now. I am interested in getting the names of the 1899 team members, if at all possible.
Best wishes,
John
Excellent contribution Perry, do you have the date of the photograph beyond the year? I’d forward the informaiton to the Dublin Fire Brigade Museum.
I’d be delighted to see a copy of the team, my email address is donal.ofalluin.2009(at)nuim.ie.
Delighted with that.
Any idea where I could research early 20th century tug-of-war teams? My grandfather Patrick Donnelly apparently trained the Whitechurch and Ballyboden tug-of-war teams and I would love to get more information.
I’ve two original team photos of the Whitechurh / Ballyboden team from 1901 and (I think) 1906. They list team members. I can share if you wish.
Here is a photo of P.Donnelly from 1916:
Bdeb – that would be absolutely fantastic. Many thanks!
Míle Buíochas!!
I really do not know how I haven’t came across this post earlier.
My great grandfather was in the DMP “World” Championship winning team in 1908. We do have a similar photograph, a copy made in the 1960’s, but no details as no one knows which one he is.
Thank you for this post.
Hi, my grandfather was on that team from 1895 to 1900. . The Freemans Journal of the 20th May 1899 details the Tug of War heavyweight championship of Ireland with the DMP C Division (holders) v Dublin United Tramway Team in the final. The team members are Thomas M Keon, Morgan O’Shea, Michael Connell, William Whitworth, Thomas Carroll, John Dennedy, John Lynch, James Hourihan, William Fox, John Woods, reserve Patrick Burke. Coach Supt L O’Reilly
Could you please supply names of members of 1908. DMP tug of war team. Was Cornelius loughnane from co Clare a member? I would be grateful for this information..Thank you, Micheal o ceallaigh