{"id":677964,"date":"2026-01-06T15:38:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T15:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/677964\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T15:38:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T15:38:18","slug":"paul-mccullagh-jr-hundreds-gather-for-funeral-of-belfast-boxer-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/677964\/","title":{"rendered":"Paul McCullagh Jr: Hundreds gather for funeral of Belfast boxer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paul McCullagh Jr, known as the Irish Drago, died on January 1 after a short illness. <\/p>\n

Hundreds of people gathered at St Luke\u2019s Church in Twinbrook, west Belfast, to pay their final respects.<\/p>\n

Some of the biggest names in local boxing, including Carl Frampton, Paddy Barnes and Steven Ward, joined the mourners. <\/p>\n

Fr Nideesh Varghese began the service by acknowledging the 25-year-old\u2019s short life. <\/p>\n

“Paul\u2019s life was far too short by our human measure. There were plans still unfolding, laughter yet to be shared, love yet to be given,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul\u2019s life, though short, was rich, meaningful and full.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Mourners<\/p>\n

Mourners gather at the family home of Paul McCullagh in Dunmurry. Kirth Ferris \/ Pacemaker Press<\/p>\n

Undefeated as a professional, the boxer came from a family steeped in the sport, with his father a former amateur champion and later a referee.<\/p>\n

“Boxing shaped Paul\u2019s discipline and determination,\u201d Fr Varghese added.<\/p>\n

“Inspired by his father and grandfather, he carried forward a proud family legacy.<\/p>\n

“Training alongside his grandfather, father, uncles and cousins meant more to him than any title or victory. Boxing taught Paul how to fight \u2014 but more importantly, it taught him respect, commitment and heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Carl<\/p>\n

Carl Frampton pictured at the funeral of Paul McCullagh on Tuesday. Jonathan Porter\/PressEye<\/p>\n

The priest praised Paul\u2019s maturity and compassion. <\/p>\n

“Paul carried an old soul within a young heart. He was known as a gentle giant \u2014 strong yet tender, disciplined yet playful,\u201d he told mourners.<\/p>\n

“He noticed when people were struggling. He never passed a stranger without a smile.<\/p>\n

“He lifted rooms simply by entering them. He loved music, laughter, coffee, and life itself \u2014 and he shared that love generously.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Boxer<\/p>\n

Boxer Steven Ward pictured at the funeral. Jonathan Porter\/PressEye<\/p>\n

During the service Fr Varghese spoke directly to the McCullagh family. <\/p>\n

\u201cPaul was a beautiful son who gave his parents love and pride beyond measure. From them he learned strength, loyalty, and faith,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

“As a brother to Shauna, Jemma and Sarah Louise, he was so much more than a sibling \u2014 he was a companion, a best friend, a protector.<\/p>\n

“Their bond was one of joy, laughter, competitiveness and deep love, from poolside \u2018Superman throws\u2019 to karaoke battles where Paul would do whatever it took to win \u2014 even singing Leona Lewis or Ariana Grande.\u201d <\/p>\n

The priest also spoke about Paul\u2019s love for his partner and her son. <\/p>\n

\u201c[In Lanzarote] he met Yoli, the love of his life, and Dario, to whom Paul became the greatest father figure. Paul embraced family life with pride and seriousness, never taking that role lightly,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The funeral of Paul McCullagh Jnr at St Luke’s Church in Twinbrook. Jonathan Porter\/PressEye<\/p>\n

Paul won his first title in 2012 and represented Ireland against the Netherlands in 2019.<\/p>\n

He fought out of St John Bosco ABC in west Belfast, as well as the family\u2019s own McCullagh\u2019s ABC.<\/p>\n

“Of all the titles Paul carried, the most important were son, brother, partner, father and uncle \u2014 especially proud uncle to little Shea,\u201d Fr Varghese said. <\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s late grandfather was also a prominent fighter and coach who mentored world champion Barry McGuigan, who earlier this week offered his \u201cdeepest condolences\u201d to the McCullagh family.<\/p>\n

“Inspired by his grandfather\u2019s example, Paul gave back by coaching at McCullagh\u2019s ABC. He wanted young people to believe in themselves. He passed on not just skills, but values \u2014 discipline, respect, confidence and hope,\u201d Fr Varghese said. <\/p>\n

\"Boxer<\/p>\n

Boxer Paddy Barnes pictured at the funeral of Paul McCullough Jr. Jonathan Porter\/PressEye<\/p>\n

Fr Varghese said Paul\u2019s faith remained strong following his shocking diagnosis. <\/p>\n

\u201cAt the heart of Paul\u2019s life was faith. A quiet but deep faith. A faith nurtured through prayer, through his prayer group, and through his devotion to Our Lady. Paul loved the Rosary. He trusted God.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when the ultimate test came \u2014 when Paul was told he had leukaemia \u2014 his response revealed the depth of that faith. Looking at his parents, he said: \u201cIt\u2019s in God\u2019s hands now.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul was not afraid of death, because he believed heaven was real and beautiful. Yet like the boxer he was, he was ready to fight if given the chance. God\u2019s plans were different, and though we struggle to understand them, we entrust Paul now to God\u2019s mercy.<\/p>\n

“He fought with courage. He ran his race with integrity. He kept the faith.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Mourners<\/p>\n

Mourners gather at the family home of Paul \u201cThe Irish Drago\u201d McCullagh in Dunmurry as friends, relatives and members of the boxing community pay their final respects following his death on 1 January 2026. – Photo: Kirth Ferris \/ Pacemaker Press<\/p>\n

News Catch Up – Monday 5 January<\/p>\n

Fr Varghese ended the homily by praying for \u201call who loved\u201d Paul.<\/p>\n

“Paul, in his own way, was a light \u2014 a light of kindness, joy, faith, and love. That light has not been extinguished. It has been transformed.<\/p>\n

“Paul\u2019s life has ended, but his love has not. His faith has not. His light has not.\u201d <\/p>\n

Paying tribute on Facebook ahead of the funeral, Paul McCullagh Sr wrote: \u201cMy beautiful son, just tipping the pads. Please watch until the end where his smile just fills the room. My heart will be empty never having that gift again, his amazing smile. Thank you, Lord, for gifting me him as my child. Signed, a super proud father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burial took place afterwards at Milltown Cemetery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Paul McCullagh Jr, known as the Irish Drago, died on January 1 after a short illness. Hundreds of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":677965,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5011],"tags":[2378,1611,1144,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-677964","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-northern-ireland","8":"tag-belfast","9":"tag-jessica-rice","10":"tag-northern-ireland","11":"tag-uk","12":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115848905465739398","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=677964"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677964\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/677965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=677964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=677964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=677964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}