Interviews
Name: Ken Comyns
Trinity Qualification: BAI (1955)
Title: Civil Engineer
About: Ken Comyns was an avid boxer throughout his University days and went on to represent Ireland at a national level in the ring. Having completed a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering Comyns went on to found his own corporation Comyns International, Inc., a consulting firm in both large and small-scale developments. At 84 years of age Ken continues to develop his body and mind, by hitting the gym four times a week and attending auditing classes at the nearby University.
What is your favourite memory from your Trinity days?
I enjoyed every day at Trinity. Perhaps the most memorable was walking through Front Gate on the Tuesday of Trinity Week 1951 as I found my way down to the gym for my first fight which my brother Cliff Comyns arranged for me. I had to sneak out of Mountjoy School on the Malahide Road where I was still a boarder. P.S. I won the fight!
How did you get into boxing?
My Grandfather was a blacksmith in Blackrock and every chance I got before going off to Kilkenny College at 12 years old, I went to help (probably delay) him. He told me all about the boxers of his time: John L Sullivan, Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, etc. I didn't realize he could not have seen them. The images stuck and from then on I was a boxing fan and wanted to be a boxer.
What were the proudest moments of your Trinity and national boxing careers?
Winning the British Isles Universities Middleweight title in Sheffield along with the other five Trinity winners in February 1951 and the Heavyweight title in the National Stadium in Dublin two years later, were pretty proud moments, however being back in the gym the next day didn't give you much time or place to celebrate. Before I ever was in a ring I had three aspirations: (i) box in the National Stadium; (ii) win a title - any title! and (iii) box for Ireland. In addition to the two University titles I won the Irish Junior Cruiser Weight title (lightweight) in 1953. I think my boxing for Ireland was a bigger thrill for my brother Cliff than me. It might have been better if I had won my fight against Scotland. With so many boxers in Ireland at the time there were not too many chances to be selected particularly as a Trinity student where classes and exams take precedence over training and travelling.
What valuable life lesson/lessons did you learn from your time in boxing?
It doesn't matter how good you think you are there is always somebody around who is better; and it's difficult if not impossible in life to win much using physical talent alone.
Tell us about your life after boxing?
It was actually tough quitting boxing however my mother loved that I did. I was 22 before I realised that everyone wasn't hurting most of the time from the waist up. It didn’t take me long to finish my BAI and BA degrees, and get a job to pay my fare for Canada. I worked for the ESB on Rural Electrification in Sligo and Mayo. I got invited by Collin Brothers to work on the construction of the new (1955) Fry Cadbury factory on the Malahide Rd. That was a permanent job offer but I was committed to Canada. In Canada the St Lawrence Seaway and Power Projects had just started and they were really short of engineers. They apparently knew I was on the Cunard Ivernia heading for Canada and were able to find me and hire me.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I go to the gym three or four times a week hitting the heavy bag and working up a sweat on the various machines, ski and travel. I have travelled nearly everywhere north of the equator: all over Canada and the US and most of Europe. Now that I'm over 60 (a long way over!) I attend universities and auditing classes - for free!
Why do you like to hitting the bag so much?
Because it doesn’t punch back.
What would be a good theme song for your life?
"Rollin' Rollin' Rollin" but keep your chin tucked in!
What gets you up in the morning?
I keep beating "the count"!
What’s next for Ken Comyns?
Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' and keep working. At 84 I am currently working on the development of an 800 acre urban development as a civil engineer in the State of Georgia about 80 miles north of my home south of the Florida border. I believe I still add value and am also learning some new tricks.
How do you stay connected with Trinity as a graduate?
I show up at reunions, keep in contact with the Knights of the Campanile and some Class mates, e.g. Jim Lyle, Toronto, Norman McGrath, NY and Ron Cox TCD.