Please note that the Editor of the Anglo Celt has expressed his sincere apology that due to a technical problem, there was no coverage of the O'ReillyReilly Clan events during the 20th to the 25th August 2013 and that he was very sorry that these important and historical events in the life of the people of Cavan had been omitted. He said that he was hopeful that the following week's Anglo Celt will include an interview with the new Chief of Clann O'Raghallaigh and other articles.
The
Life of Reilly, O’Reilly/Reilly Clan Gathering Festival 2013
The aim was to re-inact the taste of The Life of Reilly of the 15th century in the traditional format of Feis Breiffne that involved a week of Assembly and Failte to all and for all, a Breiffne Party Day for all, an O'Raghallaigh Business Day open to all and a Banquet and host of other formalities, celebrations and events.
The festival was designed for Everyone in the Ancient Kingdom of Breiffne and for friends and visitors from all clans and from all areas. We expected many family and friends living abroad will make the long journey to be with us and take part in our celebrations.
On this occasion, the Festival would include a Clan Convention for the Election of the new Clan Chieftain for East Breiffne and the O'Reilly Clan in accordance with 15th century tradition. This would take place in the Farnham Arms Hotel on 21st August. The Inauguration of this Chieftain would take place at the Life of Reilly Banquet in the Kilmore Hotel on August 22nd
We thank the Management and Staff of Cavan Co. Council for their interest and work associated with the heritage and culture of East Breiffne -now Co. Cavan and the Life of Reilly festival. We look forward to a festival that meets the expectations of everyone but most especially of those who travel long distances to be with us for this Life of Reilly, O'Reilly/Reilly Clan Gathering and Convention 2013 in association with The Gathering Ireland 2013.
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At the Welcome evening, Connie O'Reilly, candidate from New York and Barony of Clanmahon, John O'Hare, Cavan Co. Council, and Aidan O'Reilly, Candidate from the Baroney of Castlerahan
Monday August 19th Failte and Welcome Evening in The Council Chambers Cavan at 6:00pm
This event was organised and sponsored by Cavan County Council and we thank them for the use of the Council Chambers and their welcome.
It was very well attended including the Chairman of Cavan County Council and the Mayor of Cavan town. The Life of Reilly Festival got of to a lively start when the Chairman Councillor Val Smith welcomed everyone to Cavan Town, spoke about the history of the O'Reilly's and how they played a leading role in the civic life of the County over the years. He introduced Jack Keyes, County Manager who gave the Opening Address. The Co. Manager said that it was a very special evening and acknowledged the work of the O'ReillyReilly Clan Committee. He spoke about the Convention and the forty other events including Art, Music and Drama taking place during the festival. He said that Cavan has a new sense of confidence and the Life of Reilly and 'This is Cavan' symbolise confidence and fun.
The Chairman of the O'ReillyReilly Clan Committee then delivered a comprehensive, informative and interesting talk on Ancient Breiffne as it evolved from the earliest times , how the hilly land of Breiffne was formed and peopled, how it was the Mecca of Ireland during pre-Christian times and the influence of this unique place on the heritage and culture of the people of Cavan. He suggested that Cavan was open to a tourism initiative incorporating the beauty of the rolling hills and the lake district of Cavan, the planned towns and the historical sites and perhaps calling it the 'Ring of Breiffne'.
He also outlined how the phrase 'The Life of Reilly' dates from the 14th and 15th centuries and originated during the Golden Age of Cavan when the O'Reillys were heavily involved in Trade and minted their own coinage to facilitate this trade -the only native Irish Clan to do so.
He also said that the talk on the history of the O'Reillys was on in Crover |House, Mountnugent on the following evening.
Other events then followed in Cavan town including the Button Accordion tribute Concert to Donegal’s Dermot Byrne in the Marquee.
Tuesday August 20th 2013:
The Life of Reilly Festival Party and Times-Past Gala –a must for everyone
The Life of Reilly Festival Party and Times-Past Gala –a must for everyone
Again
this event was open to everyone including all Clans and Visitors and designed
for all the people of the area and all visitors to take part in traditional Life
of Reilly Party in Breiffne (now Co Cavan)
After a superb welcome the previous evening, The O'Reilly Reilly Clan gathering got into full swing at Crover House, Mountnugent with an infusion of Punch based on the Uisce Bheata of the O'Raghallaigh in pre Norman times. The attendees relaxed and mingled during the substantial traditional barbeque until the story-tellers Ronan Matthews, Jack Lynch and Patsy filled the hall with humour and laughter while reiterating some dubious stories of our countrymen.
The more serious but informative part of the evening followed with the Talk by Vincent O'Reilly, Chairman of the O'Reilly Reilly Clan Committee where he outlined the development of the Irish Clans associated with the rich history of the O'Reilly/Reilly Clan and their Ancestry and tracing the O'Reilly Clan back to the High Kings of Ireland and further back. The audience were hushed and it was not surprising to see such a large attendance for this hour long talk and the number asking for the information to be put on disc for distribution was substantial.
Next on this Party night was the Life of Reilly Cabaret, non stop music, song, dance, humour and more and superbly led by the great Kathy Durkin. The Cabaret started with Daire O'Reilly's Gambling man, Gigolo and a little bit of Swing followed by comedy by Frank Forde, Songs by Tony Kenny, Dance by the Dublin City Dancers, Paddy Cole's magnificent Sax and Clarinet playing,
The cabaret finished with a great crescendo of music that involved everyone and was only allowed finish for the audience to view the massive and superb fireworks display over Lough Sheelin. What a night.
Comment included Brilliant, Just Superb, The Best Party Night I was ever at, The Best week of my Life, Cannot be Surpassed and so on.
Our sincerest thanks to Connie O'Reilly and his staff at Crover House, Mountnugent for hosting this superb event for the O'ReillyReilly Clan Gathering and to all who participated especially Kathy Durkin for organising the Cabaret
Wednesday August 21st:
During this Festival, following an International Search for the New Chieftain during which 10 excellent Candidates have come forward for this prestigious post, we will have
Come and Help elect your own Chieftain in an evening of Entertainment, Talent, Drama, Excitement and Music. * Full complimentary programme with a selection of Co. Cavan’s Scor Champions, the Cavan Big Band and Guest
**The first election of a Chieftain of the O’Reilly
Reilly Clan in 410 years and the First
International election ever –Come and
help us in this very traditional event for Co. Cavan - everyone welcome.
There was a great buzz around Cavan town and further afield all day as preparations for the Convention were underway. The hall was made ready and a special sound system was installed. The candidates conversed with the judges and with Damian O'Reilly as MC. The hall filled to capacity with visitors and supporters of the candidates and then the Crosserlough Set Dancers set the beat as they performed their All Ireland winning dance routines to huge applause. The first two candidates, without nerves, set the battle bar high to tumulteous applause from their supporters and were followed by a musical interlude by the 2nd Scór Champions of Cavan to help calm the nerves.
The next two candidates continued to extol the virtues of their homeland and their important work in the community when Connie introduced the international dimension of the O'Reilly Clan and the great importance of our people abroad and the necessity of keeping in touch with them and supporting their causes. Another musical interlude introduced the beautiful singing of the 3rd Scór Champions of Cavan as the audience tried to evaluate from the level of applause given to each as to who might be leading so far but there was little consensus as the supporters for each candidate were literally lifting the roof off. Hotel management were overheard saying 'this is incredible'.
Three more candidates then did battle, all equally determined to win and to win well. At this time it was noted that the art of really good interviewing is genetic as there was no reduction in intensity of the interview when Damien was confronted by his father Patrick or Paddy to his Dublin entourage. During the exchanges, Damien gasped 'Hold on, I am the interviewer here' and at another time he said twice 'Answer the question'.
Calm and near normal blood pressure was restored by the next entertainment interlude, the 4th Scór Champion of Cavan. who travelled from Wexford just in time to be with us. It was a recitation or narration carried out with such delicate performance that all, even the judges who were supposed to be busy at work, were held in a trance as they waited for the story to unfold with a combination of humourous phrases, pauses and bodily expressions. Superb but back to the main event, the final three candidates, one of which sang the gallant John Joe, obviously a rehearsal for an item for Breiffne park on the Friday evening, the next, the only lady in the race seductively convinced many that Clann O'Raghallaigh would best be served by a Lady Chieftain and the final Candidate from Australia, led the audience in a chorus of Song.
A brief respite, a time for reflection, a time for decision followed as the voting proceeded and the voting papers were collected. Who was going to win? would it be our candidate? There were now no neutrals in the hall, standing room only at the back and sides. The din was almost unbearable. But it was not yet over. First a second song by the lovely3rd Scór Champions of Cavan.
Then the revelation of the festival, the Cavan Big Band with 25 members under Daire O'Reilly gave a selection of swing from the Big Band era. They were only allowed 30 minutes but the hall called for more and more. The O'Reillys like their music. It was a fitting end to the main part of the Convention, but the crowd were not going home -the result had to be known. It was slow in coming. Was the result close as was suggested by he number of supporters for each candidate?
Then the letter with the result was handed to Damian but before it was announced, the Chairman of the O'ReillyReilly Clan Committee thanked all who participated especially all the Candidates who were all great and clearly each could have been a great Chief of the O'Reilly Clan. He also thanked his Committee and the Farnham Arms Hotel and others but singled Damian as MC for giving the Convention such a wonderful atmosphere.
Then he read the result
'Following an International search for a suitable candidate for Chief of Clann O'Raghallaigh and following the ancient rules for the election of a Chief of Clann O'Raghallaigh as laid down in the Book of Kings, the candidate duly elected and verified by the O'Reilly Clan Committee is candidate No. 5 JJ O'Reilly.
During the rapturous applause from all quarters, our special guest on the night, Kathy Durkin emerged to sing the congratulatory 'Come Back JJ O'Reilly to Ballyjamesduff' and the nights festivities continued for some time.
Our congratulations to our new Chief, JJ The O'Raghallaigh 2013
Vincent O'Reilly, Chairman of the O'Reilly Clan committee presented a cheque for € 5,200 to Jimmy O'Donnell (3rd from Left) of the Palliative Care Fund for Cavan/Monaghan. Also in picture is Pete O'Reilly, one of the organisers and JJ The O'Raghallaigh 2013, Chief of Clann O'Raghallaigh.
Thursday August 22nd:
The Life of Reilly Charity Golf Classic in Co. Cavan Golf Club in aid of the Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care fund –book directly with Co. Cavan Golf Club. Teams of 4 players. Many prizes including Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Best Teams, Best all Ladies Team and Best No-Handicappers Team
The O'Reilly Clan Committee at the commencement of the Inauguration of the Chief elect of the O'Reilly Reilly clan. From left Vincent O'Reilly, Chairman, Claire O'Reilly O'Callaghan, Marie O'Reilly, Joe O'Reilly, JJ O'Reilly Chief-elect, Kevin O'Reilly and Brona O'Reilly. Paddy O'Reilly is missing from the picture.
From
8:00pm The Life of Reilly, O’Reilly Reilly Clan Banquet is open to everyone
including all clans and visitors
in Hotel Kilmore, Cavan at 8:00pm including * The Formal Inauguration of New Clan Chieftain for East Breiffne and the O'Reilly Reilly Clan *The Roll of Honour Tribute to Colonel John Riley of the Los Patrios Battalion of Mexico
Special Guest His Excellency Carlos Garcia deAlba, Ambassador of Mexico. Music provided by O'Reilly's Quintet
On Thursday night last in the Kilmore Hotel, the Chief of the Clann O’Raghallaigh and of the ancient Kingdom of Breiffne returned to Cavan in the splendid inauguration of JJ O’Reilly as the O’Raghallaigh. The inauguration, after a dramatic election the previous evening in the Farnham Arms Hotel, was filled with majestic pomp and traditional ceremony that held the overflowing audience in awe and admiration. Hotel manager Paul said that it was unbelievable, that he never saw the like of it before and that the guests were treated royally. Security was tight to ensure the safety of the guests from any attack from the neighbouring O’Rourkes, O’Connors, O’Donnells or from the Foreigners from the Pale.
Bronagh O’Reilly led the procession carrying the new Chain of Office and the remainder of the Committee flanked the new Chief onto the sacred place of inauguration. The impressive Book of Kings carried in by Kevin O’Reilly was placed in situ. Vincent O’Reilly was the chronicler or story teller and explained the traits needed in a Chief such as having a good legal standing, being not guilty of theft and being be a man of property.
Also he explained that according to Cormac Mac Airt, a high king of Ireland in the 3rd century, the testimonials a Chief needs in order to be elected over Clann O’Raghallaigh is the goodness of his shape and family, his experience, his wisdom, his prudence, his magnanimity, his eloquence, his bravery in battle and the number of his friends.
Vincent as the chronicler, then came forward bearing the book called Book of Kings and containing a brief summary of the customs and laws of the Kingdom of East Breiffne. He outlined to the Chieftain elect and to the almost 300 assembled guests that God and the people reward the doing of good and the punishment that awaits the King or Chief and his descendants if he does not carry out his duties in accordance with the principles of justice and equity as laid down in this Book of Kings.
The period of drama then reached its climax when JJ placed his hand on the Book of Kings, the attending crowd gasped and some missed a heart beat when JJ hesitated but then committed himself to carry out his duties in accordance with the principles laid down in the Book of Kings. Maria O’Reilly supported by Joe O’Reilly unrobed the Chieftain elect and JJ then received his ceremonial Chieftain Jacket.
Fr. Kevin
Donoghue, Administrator of the Diocese of Kilmore and representing Bishop
O’Reilly, then completed the traditional ceremony of placing the Chain of Office over the shoulders
of the new Chief.
Uncontrolled joy followed as the chronicler declared him duly inaugurated as Chief over Clann O’Raghallaigh and over the Kingdom of East Breiffne. The crowd erupted with three long cheers for the new Chief JJ The O'Raghallaigh 2013. Maria O’Reilly, Joe O’Reilly, Paddy O’Reilly, Kevin O'Reilly, Carmel O'Reilly and Bronagh O'Reilly and all the candidates congratulated JJ the O’Raghallaigh 2013.
Thereafter after some words of wisdom from the new Chief, the magnanimous and noble candidates received awards from Carmel, our Clan Artist and also from our Clan Jewellers, Elegant Gems of Cavan.
including all clans and visitors
in Hotel Kilmore, Cavan at 8:00pm including * The Formal Inauguration of New Clan Chieftain for East Breiffne and the O'Reilly Reilly Clan *The Roll of Honour Tribute to Colonel John Riley of the Los Patrios Battalion of Mexico
Special Guest His Excellency Carlos Garcia deAlba, Ambassador of Mexico. Music provided by O'Reilly's Quintet
On Thursday night last in the Kilmore Hotel, the Chief of the Clann O’Raghallaigh and of the ancient Kingdom of Breiffne returned to Cavan in the splendid inauguration of JJ O’Reilly as the O’Raghallaigh. The inauguration, after a dramatic election the previous evening in the Farnham Arms Hotel, was filled with majestic pomp and traditional ceremony that held the overflowing audience in awe and admiration. Hotel manager Paul said that it was unbelievable, that he never saw the like of it before and that the guests were treated royally. Security was tight to ensure the safety of the guests from any attack from the neighbouring O’Rourkes, O’Connors, O’Donnells or from the Foreigners from the Pale.
Bronagh O’Reilly led the procession carrying the new Chain of Office and the remainder of the Committee flanked the new Chief onto the sacred place of inauguration. The impressive Book of Kings carried in by Kevin O’Reilly was placed in situ. Vincent O’Reilly was the chronicler or story teller and explained the traits needed in a Chief such as having a good legal standing, being not guilty of theft and being be a man of property.
Also he explained that according to Cormac Mac Airt, a high king of Ireland in the 3rd century, the testimonials a Chief needs in order to be elected over Clann O’Raghallaigh is the goodness of his shape and family, his experience, his wisdom, his prudence, his magnanimity, his eloquence, his bravery in battle and the number of his friends.
Vincent as the chronicler, then came forward bearing the book called Book of Kings and containing a brief summary of the customs and laws of the Kingdom of East Breiffne. He outlined to the Chieftain elect and to the almost 300 assembled guests that God and the people reward the doing of good and the punishment that awaits the King or Chief and his descendants if he does not carry out his duties in accordance with the principles of justice and equity as laid down in this Book of Kings.
The period of drama then reached its climax when JJ placed his hand on the Book of Kings, the attending crowd gasped and some missed a heart beat when JJ hesitated but then committed himself to carry out his duties in accordance with the principles laid down in the Book of Kings. Maria O’Reilly supported by Joe O’Reilly unrobed the Chieftain elect and JJ then received his ceremonial Chieftain Jacket.
Uncontrolled joy followed as the chronicler declared him duly inaugurated as Chief over Clann O’Raghallaigh and over the Kingdom of East Breiffne. The crowd erupted with three long cheers for the new Chief JJ The O'Raghallaigh 2013. Maria O’Reilly, Joe O’Reilly, Paddy O’Reilly, Kevin O'Reilly, Carmel O'Reilly and Bronagh O'Reilly and all the candidates congratulated JJ the O’Raghallaigh 2013.
Thereafter after some words of wisdom from the new Chief, the magnanimous and noble candidates received awards from Carmel, our Clan Artist and also from our Clan Jewellers, Elegant Gems of Cavan.
JJ The O'Raghallaigh 2013 is congratulated by Peter O'Reilly, one of the Candidates after JJ's inauguration
Vincent O’Reilly gave the Banquet speech on behalf of the
O’Reilly Committee to the packed venue. (see Clan News)
Friday August 23rd
A
General Meeting of the O’Reilly/Reilly Clan in the Courthouse Cavan from 3:00pm
followed byA Genealogy and Family Tree workshop in the Courthouse, Cavan from 3:30pm
A Tribute and unveiling memorial to an icon of Cavan Football - The Gallant John Joe O’Reilly in Breiffne Park, Cavan at 8:00pm with reception and presentation on John Joe and the great Cavan GAA teams of his era.
Again this is open to everyone including all Clans and visitors and especially all who have had a role or an interest in GAA. This will be the First formal recognision an icon of GAA football by a Co. Board.
Saturday August 24th:
Walking
Tours of Cavan Town with Michael Swords starting at Elegant
Gems on Mail Street.Free tea or coffee on return. Again this is open to everyone.
• Sunday August 25th:
Family
Day -Invite your family and relations to a social gathering in Co. Cavan and
renew family ties and relationships with kin and country.