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800Years IrishPolitical, Literary&MilitaryHistory - 15thApril2014
358 HAROLDSEGERSONMAHONY (1867-1905)
THELAST IRISHMANTOWINWIMBLEDON, 1896
His 18ct goldwinner'smedal byHarry Soane, London, awardedby theAll EnglandClub toH.S.Ma-
hony 1896. The obverse with central motif of two crossed racquets above a Tudor rose with legend
inscription: All England ClubWimbledon. The reverse showing a laurel wreath with legend: Lawn
TennisChampion, 38mmdiameter.
€15,000 - 20,000
HaroldMahony was born into a respected Irish family in Edinburgh in February 1867. His father
Richard JohnMahonywasawealthybarristerandbuilta tenniscourtat theirhome inDromoreCastle,
Co. Kerry. It was here thatMahony learned the game that hewas later tomaster and spent his youth
growingupalongsidehis sisterNora in theCastle's romanticGothicgrounds.He laterattendedTrinity
College,Dublin,whereheexcelledathis chosen subjects andwonagoldmedal forPhilosophy in1889.
Hewas a regular on the London tennis circuit by themid 1890's and a frequent visitor toWimbledon
and theQueen's club.
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