Sir, – As we welcome the historic visit of the Olympic torch to Ireland, I wonder are your readers aware that two Irishmen played a role in the founding of the modern Olympic Games? Pierre de Coubertin convened a congress at the Sorbonne, Paris, in June 1894.
Ireland was invited to send two delegates, and Daniel Delany Bulger and JJ Magee attended on our behalf. Both men were accomplished athletes and rugby players. Daniel Delany Bulger was highly respected as one of the most successful athletes of this era and was also was a fluent French speaker. This made him invaluable in assisting the baron in achieving his goal of carrying a vote to revive the Olympic Games and establish the first Olympic committee. As Daniel Delany Bulger was my great-grandfather, I am understandably proud of these achievements on this day. – Yours, etc,