Limerick Lion remembered as a 'gentle giant' at funeral

A STRONG man with unwavering generosity - “a gentle giant who really cared about people” was remembered this morning (Wednesday, January 7) at the funeral of Limerick Lion - Pa O’Dwyer. 

Pa from Rathkeale and formerly Rooska East, Carrigkerry, passed away suddenly on Saturday last (January 3, 2026). He won the title of Ireland’s Strongest Man five times and in 2018 was the second Irish man ever to claim the UK Strongest Man title. 

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Eddie Hall known as ‘The Beast’ and Scottish strong men brothers Luke and Tom Stoltman were among those in the church with many others representing the close knit strong man community.  

His brother Seán told a full church at his funeral in Rathkeale: “In all ways that truly mattered, he remains part of what comes next,” adding that “if love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.” 

He spoke about how his brother, who earned worldwide acclaim came from humble beginnings “farming land in Rooska with his father Seánie and turning turf on the bog.” 

“He achieved what few could ever dream of,” his brother said, speaking about his dedication, hard work and love for his family. 

PICTURE: BRENDAN GLEESON

Seán spoke to the mourners about how his brother touched so many lives and leaves a legacy behind. 

“The world does not erase people, it carries them forward in different ways. Love leaves marks that do not fade - every shared moment, every laugh, every story at bedtime, every quiet day together became part of who you are now, nothing can ever take that away. We all carry pieces of him simply because we knew him.

“The people who knew him are changed because of him. 

“He is still here in the lives he touched and in the love he gave.”  

In an emotive poem written by Treasa Coleman and read out by Katie, the moment when news of Pa’s death reached the community was described as; “Time stood still for a moment, silence had never been so loud.”

The poem continued: “Pa was a man to be admired, he stood out in every crowd. Strong in body and spirit with a laugh that was infectiously loud.

“He offered light to those who struggled and those being bullied, he would always defend. 

“As a nation, we grieve your passing - a man many only knew through a screen, yet your name will echo through generations. 

“Grief has shook the ones you love.”

PICTURE: BRENDAN GLEESON

Rathkeale Parish Priest Fr Éamonn Fitzgibbon said that even though he’s a big sports fan, he became familiar with the strong man sport after Pa’s death and that “these men do things on the verge of the impossible.”

He said that he was struck by the “discipline, work, commitment and enthusiasm to his chosen sport.” 

Fr Fitzgibbon described his reach online as being worldwide and how he used his platform to “speak out about mental health” and how he was a relentless supporter of the underdog. 

He said that men like Pa who competed in strong man competitions did what seems impossible and have what he calls the God gene. 

The Mass was concelebrated by Canon James Ambrose and Fr Frank O’Dea with friends of Pa’s - Trevor, Danny and John providing music throughout. 

Renditions of Amazing Grace, Nothing Else Matters and Six Feet From the Edge, were some of the songs featured, and the coffin was carried into the church while a bagpiper played. 

Gifts brought to the altar to represent Pa’s life were; lifting straps, a ukulele, one of his many strong man trophies was brought up by The Beast Eddie Hall, one of his own brand t-shirts and his partner Layna brought up a photograph of herself, Pa and their son Freddy. 

Pa O’Dwyer is survived by his partner Layna, children Sienna, Rocco and Freddy, his parents Lena and Seánie, brothers and sisters Siobhan, Kris, Seán and Liam, grandparents Seán and Chris Kelly, extended family, team mates, sponsors and all who were inspired by his kindness, humour and strength. 

After the funeral Mass in St Mary’s Church in Rathkeale, he was laid to rest in Monagea cemetery. 

May he rest in peace.