This year’s All-Ireland medals in both hurling and football have a special feature.
They have the years 1916 embossed at the top and 2016 at the bottom to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising.
Every All-Ireland medal is special - it’s just that this year’s are even more so.
The precious 1.8 millimetre thick, 9 carat gold souvenirs are usually given out to the winning teams at special function held months after the big day at Croke Park.
But before they’re distributed they’re made with loving care at Medal Manufacturers Ireland (MMI) - a treasure trove housed in a nondescript industrial unit on Dublin’s west side.
The strips of gold bullion are brought in from Germany, cut, pressed, pierced, polished, engraved, washed, and boxed and during the process they leave the premises briefly to be hallmarked in Dublin Castle.
Patricia Woods (below) and her husband Liam founded the business decades ago, expanding what her father John Timmons had started. Patricia and Liam are in semi-retirement now, though they can be seen at the factory most days, and their eldest son Enda has taken over.
“We’re very privileged to be making something as important as All-Ireland medals for the GAA and the Camogie Association,” said Patricia.
And she knows just how precious an All-Ireland medal is. When she was still Patricia Timmons she won five All-Ireland medals between 1962 and ’66 as part of the unbeatable Dublin team of the time.
She keeps her four of her medals on a charm bracelet and the other on a brooch that she takes out on her annual trip to the All-Ireland camogie finals at Croke Park.
“It was my dream to be on the Dublin panel where my icons played and I cheered them on. It came a little earlier than expected, which was wonderful - I was in my mid-teens,” she explained.
“By the time I was 20 I had five All-Ireland medals, which is fantastic even when I think about it now. It was a great time.
“I played for a lot longer, but unfortunately Dublin didn’t win, but it was wonderful to be part of and to represent your county. I thoroughly enjoyed my time and still look back and relish all those memories.”
MMI also make medals, buttons, pins and buckles for An Garda Síochána, the fire brigade and the UN.
Recently they have diversified further and they have even made replica swords for hit television series Vikings, which is partially shot in Ireland, but pride of place amongst their orders is the annual All-Ireland delivery.
“They are particularly special,” said Liam Woods. “What people don’t realise about the medal making process is what goes into it. We’re fanatical about it and that’s why we’re here so long.
“I have always said that champions deserve the best and that’s right. We should do our best to give them the absolute best product we can.
“It’s a great buzz. Everyone here loves when we’re making these medals.”
