Today

Morrissey was born in 1831 in that part of Ireland known as poverty. He spent his early years in upstate New York, using his fists and his wits to make a name for himself. He lived many lives: thug-for-hire. Prospector. Gang boss. Gambler. World-champion prize-fighter. Political fixer. Businessman. He founded a casino and a racecourse (Saratoga). Was a two-time us congressman and senator. He survived so many fights it’s said the entire New York senate turned out for his funeral in 1878, just to be sure he was really dead. And, at The Dead Rabbit, his fighting Irish spirit lives on.