References
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RTE Archives | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
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Irish Examiner | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
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The 42 Article | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
Dr Pat O'Callaghan was born near Kanturk, County Cork on the 28th of January 1906. He attended the Patrician School in Mallow before going on to study medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons. He then joined the RAF medical service before returning to Ireland where he established his own practice in County Tipperary. Yet it is not for his skills as a healer that Dr Pat is most remembered.
At the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Dr Pat competed in the hammer event. His win meant that for the first time in history, the Irish flag was raised and the national anthem was played in an Olympic arena, as previous Irish athletes would have been competing under the British flag. This was Ireland's first ever Olympic gold medal.
Dr Pat won the gold medal again at the 1932 games in Los Angeles games, despite having to grind the spikes off his shoes with a hacksaw.
Dr Pat O'Callaghan died on the 1st of December 1991. He is commemorated by a sports complex and football team in Clonmel which bear his name, and also by a statue which was erected in his honour in his native County Cork.
| Additional Information | ||
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| Date of Birth | 28th Jan 1906 | |
| Date of Death | 1st Dec 1991 | |
