Paddy Graham

Paddy Graham
Personal information
NationalityBritish (Northern Irish)
Bornc.1947[1]
Northern Ireland
Sport
SportSwimming
Event(s)
Butterfly, Freestyle
ClubNew Northern ASC, Belfast

Paddy Graham (born c.1947) is a former swimmer from Northern Ireland, who represented Northern Ireland at the British Empire and Commmonwealth Games (now Commonwealth Games).

Biography

Graham was a member of the New Northern Amateur Swimming Club in Belfast.[2]

In February 1965 while still at school, he was selected in the initial list of swimmers for the forthcoming Empire Games.[3] Shortly afterwards, the Royal Belfast Academical Institution pupil[1] won the Ulster Swimmer of the Year,[4] after winning the 100, 200 and 400 freestyle at the Ulster Championships.[1]

Graham also excelled at water polo and represented Ireland at international level.[5] In 1966 he studied electrical engineering at Queen's University Belfast.[6]

Graham represented the 1966 Northern Irish Team[7] at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, participating in the 110 yards butterfly and 110 yards freestyle events.[8] His younger sister Ruth Graham was an international swimmer and also competed at the Games.[9]

In November 1966 Graham became the assistant to the club coach and his father Robert was appointed President of the New Northern ASC.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Paddy Graham delighted, but cautious". Belfast News-Letter. 20 February 1965. p. 7. Retrieved 16 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  2. ^ a b "Coaching job for Paddy Graham". Belfast Telegraph. 8 November 1966. p. 13. Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "26 Ulster swim possibles". Belfast News-Letter. 2 February 1965. p. 12. Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Paddy Graham is Ulster Swimmer of the Year". Belfast News-Letter. 2 March 1965. p. 13. Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Schoolboy gains water polo cap". Belfast News-Letter. 14 June 1965. p. 10. Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Graham is determined to do well". Ireland's Saturday Night. 15 January 1966. p. 11. Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "No surprises in Games Team". Belfast News-Letter. 21 June 1966. p. 11. Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "Northern Ireland Kingston 1966". Commonwealth Games Federation. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Family stars to shine for Ulster?". Belfast News-Letter. 4 August 1965. p. 11. Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.