Hollywood star Liam Neeson visits Dundalk boxing club

Hollywood actor Liam Neeson was shown the ropes when he called into O’Hanlon Park Boxing Club last Friday.

The young amateur boxers and parents got the surprise of their lives when the Hollywood A-lister took time out of shooting his latest film, Normal People, which is being filmed in Belfast this summer, to visit the town.  

Liam sporting his Dundalk F.C. top 

During his Dundalk stay, Ballymena man Neeson, who is a former amateur boxer himself, took the time to help the young athletes with their sparring skills in the ring.

Neeson was happy to pose for selfies with the many thrilled mums who had formed an orderly queue, and their children and even donned a Dundalk F.C. jacket as he chatted to locals.

Secret Millionaire John Fitzpatrick with Liam Neeson and Paul Taaffe PICTURE: ARTHUR KINAHAN 

The down-to-earth Taken star arrived at the boxing club with his friend New York hotelier John Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick has been involved with the club since 2011 when he made a donation to it during an appearance on the RTÉ One TV show The Secret Millionaire. The businessman kept in contact with O'Hanlon Park Boxing Club and later raised €425,000 for them.  

Hats off to local boxing champ Nicole McCabe who posted this caption along with a picture of herself and Liam on Facebook: 

See this week's Dundalk Democrat (out today) for more pictures and our interview with O'Hanlon Park Boxing Club owner Paul Taaffe about the club's celebrity visit.