See photos from a memorable night in Katie Taylor’s Wicklow hometown

Hundreds of local fans erupted in celebration on Saturday night as they watched Bray’s hero Katie Taylor bring her extraordinary boxing career to a triumphant close on a big screen on the town’s seafront.

All through the week, residents and businesses had been flying flags, banners and bunting in anticipation of the sold-out event on the seafront, which attracted some 1,500 locals keen to cheer on the ‘Bray Bomber’.

Those who couldn’t avail of a ticket for the designated fanzone, which saw a huge area of the seafront cordoned off from the aquarium as far as the bandstand, settled for a spot along the prom to get a glimpse of the hometown hero’s Croke Park bout.

When that final bell sounded and Taylor’s hand was raised in victory, huge cheers rang out along the seafront as people in the town celebrated another memorable night with their Olympic and world champion.

Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Malachaí Duddy, said the community gathering reflected that special bond.

“There has been a real sense of excitement in Bray in the build-up to tonight, but seeing the community gathered for Katie’s final fight was something very special,” he said on Saturday.

“Her story started here, and people in Bray have watched with enormous pride as she went from St Fergal’s Boxing Club to Olympic champion and world champion.

“Tonight gave us the chance to celebrate her achievements together and to mark the end of an incredible sporting journey. Katie has carried the name of Bray around the world.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Caroline Winstanley, who noted Taylor’s impact extended far beyond the ring.

“She has not only reached the very top of her sport, but she has also helped to change it. Her success has opened doors for a new generation of young women and men who have seen through Katie what commitment, courage and belief can achieve,” she said.

“It’s especially meaningful to see her finish her career in front of her home crowd at Croke Park, with people in Bray watching and celebrating every moment. We are immensely proud that Katie is from Bray and Wicklow, and tonight was a wonderful opportunity to recognise everything she has accomplished.”

Saturday night’s gathering was the latest chapter in community’s tradition of turning out for its most famous sporting star.

The town hosted public screenings during Taylor’s Olympic gold-medal run in London in 2012 and again during the Rio Olympics in 2016. Thousands more returned in 2019 to welcome home the undisputed lightweight world champion.

This time, however, it felt very different. Commenting on the local event, the chief executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, said the screening allowed the community to come together and share a landmark moment in Irish sporting history.

“Katie Taylor’s career has been extraordinary, not only because of what she has achieved in the ring, but because of the influence she has had far beyond sport.

“From Bray to Olympic gold and the highest levels of professional boxing, Katie has demonstrated a level of dedication and determination that has inspired people across Wicklow, Ireland and around the world.

“Tonight’s screening allowed the community to share this important moment together, and it was wonderful to see Bray providing such a warm and enthusiastic welcome for the final night of Katie’s professional career.”

Among those lucky enough to be in attendance at Croke Park was Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady, who described the occasion as a privilege.

“The undisputed champion of the world,” he said. “Absolutely honoured to be in Croke Park to witness Katie Taylor make another incredible piece of sporting history.

“To witness the greatest Irish sportsperson of all time, in front of a packed Croke Park, and to be there as history was made, what a privilege.”

While there are hopes for a homecoming for the ‘Bray Bomber’, those hopes are wearing thin, with no official word of an event to mirror the huge occasion in June 2019, when thousands of adoring fans lined the promenade.

However, the town does have her legacy to celebrate, with one of the community’s most revered sports mentors, Tony Poutch, highlighting what her achievements have meant.

Alongside coaching young football players, including Katie, who earned 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland senior women’s team, he spent many years as a prominent trainer with Bray Boxing Club, where he trained Katie’s father, Peter.

“Now we are approaching the end of an era with Katie’s last fight we hear about the legacy she will leave behind on retiring,” he said.

“To put that legacy into context, in the same week Katie was preparing for her final bout, eight girls were in the final stages of preparation for the European Championships in Bulgaria.

“Among those will is another Bray girl Daina Moorehouse. Eight girls representing their country all because as a kid, Katie had the drive and determination to make this happen. That’s Katie’s legacy, one that is living and growing all the time.”