Paddy Dooley

Paddy Dooley was the stroke of the Irish Olympic eight in the 1948 Olympic Games in London. One of six Dublin University students that formed part of Ireland’s first Olympic rowing crew, Dooley began rowing on the River Shannon in Limerick. He was chosen for the Irish team the University crew he both captained and stroke won national championships in both 1947 and 48.

After leaving University he set up a successful catering business in Limerick and coached local rowing crews in his spare time. Dooley sold his business in 2000 and returned to rowing as founder of the Limerick Masters Rowing Club. A week before his death at the age of 82, Dooley acted as coxswain in a masters competition.