School: Clochar na Trócaire, Cappamore

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1. Big Ned O' Grady

   

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   He was born in Ballybricken in 1851 and he died in 1896. During the period of his athletic preeminence he stood 6ft.3.5ins high and weighed 17.5 stone. He never wore shoes or togs. His custom was to discard his boots and throw in his socks, having let down his suspender at one side. All the weight throwing in his day - the 70's and early 80's - seem to be from the shoulder, and there is no record of slinging weights between the legs or otherwise which must have been introduced subsequently. At any rate, prior to the founding of the G.A.A. in 1884, sports meeting were few and far between and the throwing of weights were principally carried out by local or country rivals at race meetings or at other such events. It appears that Ned held a great reputation at these meetings. Occasionally, one can yet hear some of

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Peig Ní Dhubhthaigh

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Cappamore, Co. Limerick

   Informant

   Mary Hilland

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Cappamore, Co. Limerick