The Strongman world is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved figures, as news broke this morning that Irish powerhouse Pa (Patrick) O’Dwyer — affectionately known as the “Limerick Lion” — has tragically passed away at the age of 40.
Pa O’Dwyer was one of the most positive and uplifting personalities in all of strength sports, always bringing joy with his cheerful spirit and offering true support for anyone who needed it.
His passing has sent shockwaves through the strength community and far beyond, with tributes flooding in from fans, fellow athletes, and organisations across the globe.
Giants Live — the global Strongman tour where O’Dwyer was a regular competitor — shared a heartfelt message on social media, which read: “Absolutely heartbroken to hear of the passing of Pa O’Dwyer.
“A true strongman, an even greater human being, and without doubt one of the funniest, most unforgettable characters the world has ever known […] Pa brought strength, laughter, and warmth wherever he went. He truly was one of life’s larger-than-life personalities, and anyone who met him will surely have a story to tell.”
The statement continued: “Among the many titles he earned, including UK & Ireland’s Strongest Man, the one he cherished most was simply ‘Dad.’ Pa leaves behind his three beautiful children — Sienna, Rocco, and Freddy — and his partner Layna, whom he loved more than life itself, as he would always say.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone who loved him. With the family’s permission, a GoFundMe has been set up to help with memorial arrangements and to support them through the practical challenges ahead.”
GoFundMe in Pa’s memory: GoFundMe
The tribute concluded: “Rest in Power, Pa. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten […] With love, The entire Strongman community.”
Eddie Hall also shared the touching message with his fans, with fellow strongman Paddy Haynes commenting: “A funny guy to everyone but not many got to know what a true friend Pa was to so many. A genuinely good man through and through. Rest easy brother.”
Shane Flowers commented: “[Unbelievably] sad news. RIP Pa, thank you for the memories.”
Travis Ortmayer also penned a message to fans, writing: “One of my favorite people in the sport and a truly good friend! I’ll really miss our conversations my brother. Man, this one really hurts…”
“Best friend in the sport. What an unbelievable guy. Rest easy Pa,” Tom Stoltman commented.
Born and raised in Rathkeale, County Limerick, O’Dwyer’s journey to becoming one of the world’s top strength athletes was as inspiring as it was unlikely. After working on the roads in his early twenties and spending “a lot of time drinking and hanging around the pub,” he decided to sober up for the sake of his family — a decision that changed his life forever.
He began training seriously, entering his first bodybuilding competition before transitioning to Strongman around the age of 27.
From there, his rise was remarkable. Pa quickly became a dominant force in strength sports, winning Ireland’s Strongest Man five times and later claiming the title of UK’s Strongest Man in 2018, becoming the first Irishman ever to do so. His relentless drive saw him compete against the world’s elite, making appearances on the Giants Live circuit and qualifying for the World’s Strongest Man competition in 2020.
The Irish Strength Association paid tribute to his extraordinary career, stating: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Pa O’Dwyer this morning. Pa, also known as the Limerick Lion, became the second Irishman in history to win the UK’s Strongest Man. He was a legend in strength sports in Ireland, winning Ireland’s Strongest Man an unprecedented five times. He went on to represent his beloved Ireland in the World’s Strongest Man.”
“Pa will be a massive loss to the strength community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, especially his partner Layna, daughter, and two sons, Sienna, Rocco, and youngest Freddy,” its message concluded.
Beyond his physical feats, O’Dwyer’s impact reached far outside the competition floor. In recent years, he had become a major presence on social media, where he often used his platform to speak candidly and compassionately.
Pa gained a large following by becoming a voice of reason in the fitness community — defending those who needed defending, calling out negativity, and promoting self-improvement and respect in an industry that could often be harsh and powered by ego.
His final post on social media was an Instagram Story that showed him playing with a Marvel Venom building set with his son. He jokingly captioned the post, “Took all day only..”
Pa also stunned fans with his incredible personal transformation in recent years, losing 39.9 kilograms (88lbs) of bodyweight — a testament to his discipline and dedication. While the transformation left fans in awe, his sudden passing at just 40 has left many reflecting on his health and well-being in the months prior to the tragic news.
Known as much for his humour and humility as for his unmatched strength, O’Dwyer was, as many described him, a “larger-than-life personality.” He brought light to every room, encouraged countless lifters to better themselves, and represented Ireland on the world stage with pride and authenticity.
Our thoughts are with Pa’s family, loved ones, and fans at this time.
Featured image credit: Instagram/paodwyer__
