{"id":231723,"date":"2026-01-07T05:12:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T05:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/231723\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T05:12:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T05:12:10","slug":"funeral-of-strongman-pa-odwyer-to-take-place-in-co-limerick-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/231723\/","title":{"rendered":"Funeral of strongman Pa O\u2019Dwyer to take place in Co Limerick \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

The funeral of Irish strongman Pa O\u2019Dwyer is due to take place in Co Limerick<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Funeral Mass will be held at St Mary\u2019s Church in Rathkeale at 11.30am, with burial afterwards in Monagea cemetery.<\/p>\n

Known as \u201cthe Limerick Lion,\u201d Mr O\u2019Dwyer died suddenly on Saturday<\/a> at the age of 40.<\/p>\n

His death notice<\/a> on RIP.ie<\/a> states that he is \u201cforever loved and deeply missed by his partner Layna, his children Sienna, Rocco and Freddy, his parents Lena and Seanie, his brothers and sisters Siobhan, Kris, Sean and Liam, grandparents Sean and Chris Kelly, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family, his many friends, team-mates, sponsors and all who were inspired by his kindness, humour and strength\u201d. <\/p>\n

The father of three held the title of Ireland\u2019s strongest man five times and was the second Irishman to win the UK\u2019s strongest man.<\/p>\n

He had more than 654,000 followers on Instagram.<\/p>\n

On X, (formerly Twitter) Limerick Fire and Rescue paid tribute to Mr O\u2019Dwyer, a former Newcastle West firefighter.<\/p>\n

All of us in Limerick Fire & Rescue are saddened to hear of the sudden passing of former Newcastle West Firefighter, Patrick (Pa) O\u2019 Dwyer. <\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s funeral arrangements can be viewed here: https:\/\/t.co\/85Jnjp3iMX<\/a><\/p>\n

Ar dheis D\u00e9 go raibh a anam d\u00edlis. pic.twitter.com\/QiNFw1vfrz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Limerick Fire & Rescue (@LimerickFire) January 5, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

On Facebook, the Irish Strength Association said Mr O\u2019Dwyer was a \u201clegend in strength sports\u201d in Ireland. <\/p>\n

\u201cPa will be a massive loss to the strength community. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

British strongman Eddie Hall set up a GoFundMe page in support of Mr O\u2019Dwyer\u2019s family which has so far raised more than \u20ac190,000. <\/p>\n

In the online post, Mr Hall said: \u201cI\u2019m fundraising for Pa O\u2019Dwyer because he deserves to be paid back for all he has given us in this world. He\u2019s made us all laugh. He\u2019s made all think. He\u2019s made us all better people in some way through his bigger than life character.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Hall said the money will help to pay for his friend\u2019s memorial service and to support his family.<\/p>\n