'Smile for the camera' - Offaly professional boxer, Paul Loonam, and Esker Ri Nursing Home resident, Angela Millard, were all smiles when they met each other during Paul's recent visit to the Clara facility to meet with residents and staff. The 23-year old Pullough boxer is the current BUI Celtic Super Bantamweight champion, and he brought his new title belt along to the nursing home.

“Pride, joy and inspiration” as boxing champ visits local nursing home

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It was a day of “pride, joy and inspiration” when local professional boxer Paul Loonam, visited residents and staff in Esker Rí Nursing Home in Clara.

Fresh from his spectacular victory in being crowned as BUI Celtic Super Bantamweight champion following his 5-0 defeat over Limerick boxer, Myles Casey, in the National Stadium earlier this month, the 23-year old Pullough boxer, dropped into Esker Rí to show his prestigious Celtic title belt to residents and staff.

Paul got a rousing reception in the Clara nursing home and staff and residents alike were full of praise for his humility and warm spirit which they said shone “just as brightly as his belt.”

Margaret Byrne, a resident of Esker Rí Nursing Home in Clara, was happy to pose for a picture with BUI Celtic Super Bantamweight champion and Offaly professional boxer, Paul Loonam, when he paid a recent visit to the Offaly care home.
Esker Rí resident, Lil Smith, was honoured to get the chance to hold the BUI Celtic Super Bantamweight belt won by Pullough professional boxer, Paul Loonam, when he dropped into the Clara nursing home recently to visit residents and staff.
Esker Rí Nursing Home resident, John Moran, was delighted to meet with Offaly professional boxer and BUI Celtic Super Bantamweight champion, Paul Loonam, during his recent visit.
A drawing of Paul Loonam which was displayed in Esker Rí Nursing Home caused him to smile broadly on his recent visit to meet with residents in the Clara facility.

A post on the Facebook page of Esker Rí Nursing Home described the atmosphere as “electric” when residents gathered to meet the local champ and celebrate his latest amazing achievement. “Paul’s humility and warm spirit shone just as brightly as his title belt. It was a day full of pride, joy, and inspiration for everyone at Esker Rí and here's to even more victories ahead for this rising star” the post read.

Since Paul Loonam departed amateur boxing for a career in the paid ranks last year he has won all five of his professional bouts, culminating in the BUI Celtic Super Bantamweight earlier this month.

Professional boxer from Pullough, Paul Loonam is pictured celebrating with his Dad, Paul Loonam Snr, after winning the BUI Celtic Super Bantamweight title in the National Stadium in Dublin earlier this month.

A national champion at amateur level, during which he boxed out of St. Carthage's Boxing Club in Rahan, where he was coached by his father, Paul Snr, the young Pullough boxer was named as the 'Eamonn Magee Jr Prospect of the Year' honour on the Irishboxing.com website.

The award was chosen by a public vote, and the Offaly man came out on top with a 45% vote share, ahead of Moate light heavyweight Joe Ward (19%) and Cork native Steven Cairns (18%).

As well as winning his first four contests on the professional stage in 2024, Paul Loonam also had further cause for celebration last year when his son, Gianni, was born just five weeks before he made his pro debut on May 10.

Geraldine Grennan
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