Funeral details announced for 'Limerick Lion' Pa O'Dwyer 

Tributes have poured in for Mr O'Dwyer, remembered as 'one of life's biggest characters' 

The late Pa (Patrick) O'Dwyer. Picture: Rip.ie

Funeral details have been announced for Limerick strongman Pa O'Dwyer, who passed away on Saturday aged 40.

The five-time winner of Ireland's Strongest Man was known as the "Limerick Lion". Mr O'Dwyer will be reposing at his parents' residence in Carrigkerry on Tuesday, January 6.

His funeral will take place on Wednesday at St. Mary’s Church, Rathkeale at 11.30am, followed by a requiem mass and burial in Monagea cemetery. Since the news broke, tributes have been pouring in for the father-of-three.

Mr O'Dwyer is leaving "a huge void in the hearts of his family, friends and the strongman community in Ireland and across the world".

The former firefighter won Ireland’s Strongest Man five times, and was the second ever Irishman to win the UK’s Strongest Man competition.

In recent years, he was also known for his presence on social media, where he shared videos, encouraged and defended others, and addressed mental health issues.

Over €180,000 has been donated to a fundraising page set up by his friend and World’s Strongest Man 2017, Eddie Hall. “Absolutely devastated to hear about the passing of Pa O’Dwyer,” Mr Hall wrote in tribute.

A true strongman, an even better human, and one of the funniest characters the world was ever blessed with.

“Pa brought strength, laughter and warmth wherever he went. He genuinely was one of life’s biggest characters and everyone who ever met him would have a story to tell I’m sure.

“UK’s and Ireland’s strongest man was one of many titles he held but his most important and his most proud title was ‘Dad’."

Mr O’Dwyer leaves behind his children Sienna, Rocco and Freddy, and his partner Layna, whom he loved “more than life itself”.

Limerick Fire and Rescue also paid tribute to Mr O'Dwyer, who used to work as a firefighter in Newcastle West.

"All of us in Limerick & Fire Rescue are saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Patrick (Pa) O'Dwyer. Pa was formerly a firefighter in Newcastle West Fire Brigade between 2010 & 2016. 

"Even though it is nearly 10 years since he left Newcastle West Fire Brigade, his former colleagues have many memories and stories of times spent with him, and he is remembered with great fondness.

"We would like to extend our sympathies to his partner Layla, children Sienna, Rocco, and Freddy, parents, wider family circle, his many friends and teammates and of course his colleagues in Newcastle West," they wrote in tribute.