A BELOVED Limerick sportsman who “touched an incredible number of people, lifting spirits and giving inspiration” will be laid to rest this Wednesday (January 7).
Proud Limerick man and five-time Ireland’s Strongest Man winner Patrick ‘Pa’ O’Dwyer passed away suddenly on January 3.
The 40-year-old ‘Limerick Lion’ will be laid to rest this Wednesday at Mongea Cemetery, following his Requiem Mass at 11.30am at St Mary’s Church in his native Rathkeale.
He will be reposing at his parents’ home at Rooskagh East, Carrigkerry, Athea on Tuesday (January 4) from 4pm to 8pm.
An online fundraiser to help support the late champion bodybuilder’s family has already raised close to €180,000, reflecting the massive outpouring of grief in the days since Mr O’Dwyer’s passing.
Mr O’Dwyer is survived by his partner Layna, his three children Sienna, Rocco, and Freddy, parents Lena and Seanie, siblings Siobhan, Kris, Sean, and Liam, grandparents Sean and Chris, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, as well as an admiring sporting community and a wide legion of fans who followed his life and successes online.
He made an incomparable name for himself in the sporting world, both at home and abroad, setting the record for most Ireland’s Strongest Man competition wins, as well as becoming only the second Irish man to be named UK’s Strongest Man.
The Limerick Lion also earned a loyal following online for his humorous and motivational online videos, which often touched on mental health. He amassed almost one million followers across his social media presences.
A native of Rathkeale, he began weight training at the age of 21, spending his youth working on a farm in Rathkeale before moving on to work on roads through his early 20s.
He was a regular at the Giants Live Tour and qualified for the World’s Strongest Man competition in 2020.
A wave of condolences have poured in for Mr O’Dwyer since his sudden passing on January 3, with mourners lamenting “a special gentle giant taken too soon” and describing him as “a champion for the people who tried their best”.
“He was inspirational, speaking up when others wouldn’t and calling out all the ‘maggots’. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten,” one mourner wrote online.
“His genuine caring nature was infectious,” another said.
A fellow strongman competitor described him as “a character who put a smile on many a face and left your mark on lots of hearts”, adding that “it was a honour to compete with you, I very much respected your achievements in the sport and, being the man to beat, you pushed many of us to do better”.
“Somewhere up in heaven, he will be lifting stones, deadlifting, and spreading laughter,” another online condolence read.
“He touched an incredible number of people, lifting spirits and giving inspiration in a way that came so naturally to him,” another wrote.
Fondly remembering his kind presence, one mourner recalled: “Pa was one funny and kind guy. He was one of those rare souls that people had the pleasure of meeting at anytime, day or night. I met Pa in Heathrow two years ago coming back from a fight with my nephew and Pa knew who he was and told him to keep up the amazing work. My nephew was in his element over this. Thats how he made you feel.”
In the days since his death, world-renowned strongman Eddie Hall set up a GoFundMe page to help the Limerick Lion’s family, saying that Mr O’Dwyer “deserves to be paid back for all he has given us in this world”.
“He’s made us all laugh. He’s made all think. He’s made us all better people in some way through his bigger than life character.”
At time of publication, the campaign has raised close to €180,000.
Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/pa-odwyer-family-and-future.