In the annals of remarkable physical prowess, the legacy of “Shown Byrnes” from Coolanelig, Abbeyfeale, remains ingrained in the history of Munster. Known for his astonishing displays of strength, Byrnes, who passed away twenty-eight years ago, continues to be a topic of fascination in West Limerick and North Kerry.

Though hailing from a farming background and possessing an unassuming stature, Byrnes stood out due to his extraordinary breadth of shoulder and neck, which testified to his exceptional physical capabilities. His legendary strength is upheld in numerous tales that echo through the region, much as they did three decades ago.

Byrnes exhibited a penchant for rescuing loads that stumped even the mightiest of cart horses. With a touch of humor, he once surprised onlookers at a smithy by effortlessly lifting an anvil from its base, leaving the blacksmith in sheer amazement as the red-hot iron rod swung through the air with no anvil in sight.

One amusing anecdote involves a humorous encounter with Major Gallwey, a figure known for his love of jests. Upon an officer’s arrival, Byrnes was playfully accused of drunkenness and ordered to be arrested. The officer, Constable Molloy, took up the challenge, only to find himself gently deposited into a nearby water channel by Byrnes’ unexpected maneuver. Though the incident began with an arrest, it ended in an amicable resolution between the two.

Byrnes’ reputation extended beyond Abbeyfeale, reaching as far as Tralee. During a journey, he single-handedly positioned a stone trough that had stymied the efforts of five men. A lasting testament to his strength remains in the form of an upright stone on a neighboring farm, a tangible reminder of his extraordinary abilities.

Even today, Byrnes’ feats are held as the ultimate benchmarks of physical accomplishment in discussions of strength among the communities of West Limerick and North Kerry. As a Kerry native from Coolanelig, a Kerry town just a mile away from Abbeyfeale, his fame traversed the entire Munster region.

The legacy of “Shown Byrnes” endures, perpetuated through the retelling of his awe-inspiring tales of strength, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Abbeyfeale and beyond.

Kerry Evening Star – Monday 16 October 1905