Patrick "Pa" O'Dwyer, also known as the "Limerick Lion," was an Irish strongman competitor and social media personality. Born on July 25, 1985, in Rooskagh, County Limerick, he passed away on January 3, 2026, at the age of 40. O'Dwyer began his strongman career around age 27, after working as a construction worker and a firefighter.
O'Dwyer achieved significant success in the strongman circuit, winning Ireland's Strongest Man multiple times (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021). His career highlight came in 2018 when he won the UK's Strongest Man competition. He competed in the World's Strongest Man competition in 2020, 2023, and 2024, and placed second at the 2022 Britain's Strongest Man competition. In his final competition, the 2025 Europe's Strongest Man, he placed eighth. Beyond his athletic achievements, O'Dwyer was known for his engaging personality and comedic character, often impersonating figures like Bill Kazmaier to entertain crowds. He was a regular on the Giants Live tour and had a large social media following where he promoted gym positivity and shared his life.
