Knuckle Trailer

Director Ian Palmer invites us into the world of bare knuckle boxing within the Irish Traveller community.

Although Irish traveller communities are indigenous to Ireland, there are large settlements throughout the U.S. and England. Travellers in Ireland have campaigned to be recognised as a specific ethnic group. They marry within their extended family circle and, more often than not, there are feuds between different families.

Knuckle focuses on the feud between three families: the Quinn McDonaghs; the Joyces and the Nevins. These families trade insults and rely on bare knuckle boxing to solve feuds - and start new ones. The winner of the boxing matches earn money and it's not uncommon to see any of these families discussing these fights under a picture of the Catholic Pope, John Paul II. Children are taught the intricacies of the feud from an early age and are encouraged to exchange insults with the enemy.

Over twelve years, Palmer films the families and their lives in the community, stumbling into the world of bare knuckle boxing quite by accident. He premiered the film at the Sundance festival in 2011 to critical acclaim.

James, Michael and Paddy Quinn McDonagh