Ireland’s oldest swimming club, Dublin Swimming Club is trying to locate an old trophy - the Shaw Cup, but not just one - up to 22 of them...
The club recently got their hands on the 1887 trophy – via Malta, Scotland and Facebook and they thought it was the only one.
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All other old trophies they possess (including the oldest swimming trophy in Ireland) are perpetual, i.e. each new annual winner getting it for their year of victory.
The Shaw Cup was competed for the 110 / 109 yards handicap (depending on venue). It turns out Mr Shaw donated a new trophy every year during the years around 1882 - 1905. They have since unearthed the results and times from many, but not all the years.
This is where you come in...
We know there must be Shaw Cups of varying sizes and condition in houses across, Dublin, Ireland and indeed elsewhere. Most owners probably have very little sense of their history but trust us, they're important.
So who was Mr Shaw? Well, Patrick Shaw owned a Military & Merchant Taylor’s at 17A Dawson Street at the corner of Molesworth Street.
In 1880 he received an order from the Empress of Austria for Coachman Liveries, testament to the quality of the goods he supplied. Although not a member of the Dublin Swimming Club, he became one of the great race sponsors.
So can you help us? Help the Dublin Swimming Club find them!
