Comhaltas Archive

The late Paddy O'ReillyA veil of gloom and a grey sky hungover St. Cedd's Church, Goodmayes onthe morning of 26th March, 1985, thisbeing the base of East London Branchof Comhaltas Ceolt6ir{ Eireann. As oldand familiar faces assembled on thesteps one could sense an emptiness.Yes, Fr. McMahon was there, and sowere many of the familiar pilgrims andcoach trippers. There was, however,one face missing and as we boarded thecoach that vacant seat belonged to theman we were about to pay a final andsad farewell to.There was little comment, everyonesubdued, for this was our pilgrimagewith a difference. The funeral of ourdear friend Paddy O'Reilly. His suddenand tragic death devastated the heartsof his great number of friends andadmirers.Although he only became a memberof Comhaltas in the last six years or so,it felt as if it was a life span as Paddywas a natural and felt at home in thisenvironment. His humour and wit,singing and dancing were always ajoy tolisten to and observe. If he made a mistakethat was always the humorous bitas he got his audience involved. Thesewere the capabilities he had which madehim an ideal compere and concert organiser.Born in Cavan Town in 1936 hisearly days singing were achieved andperfected by the schooling of the De laSalle Brothers. They always set a veryhigh standard and were responsible forthe choir in the magnificent Cathedral.In 1950 Bishop Lyons (which turnedout to be one of his final ceremonies)requested a repeat performance ofPaddy's solo. The Bishop was so greatlyimpressed that the congregation witnessedtears of joy roll down his cheeks.The Cavan Technical School providedPaddy's basic training to a trade whichhe later served faithfully with his fatheras a Jomer. The Tech also providedfacilities for ceil{ dancing, singing anddrama. Paddy soon found himselffacing audiences at the annual pantomimeand various town hall stage shows.From their home in Killnavarra theentire family emigrated to London in1954. Father and son Paddy were notto be separated and continued to workharmoniously in the joinery trade andremained so up to dad's retirement in1973. Paddy's offer of promotion wassanctioned by his father when hebecame a general foreman with buildingThe late PADDY O'REILLYcontractors Sirnm & Co . His colleagues,both staff and employers, held him inhigh esteem and greatly acknowledgedhis capabilities and skill. It was one ofhis foremen, Paddy Burke, (a Limerickman) who introduced him to ourbranch. The firm had just been granteda new contract (converting a warehouse)and it was during a roof inspection thatPaddy met his tragic and untimelydeath.He leaves a partially handicappedwife whom he carefully nursed for sevenyears. That, with fulltime employmentproviding for his four children, twoboys and two girls, he still managed toget out, wear a smile, crack a joke andenjoy life to the full. His broken heartedfather and mother, who reside withtheir youngest son and daughter in BarnettNorth London, relate how muchthey will miss his faithful Sunday visit.Paddy is also mourned by a marriedbrother and sister in London and abrother in Ireland. He was pre-deceasedby his older brother in 1966.To all of the family we extend ourdeepest sympathy and thank God forall Paddy has done and left with uswithin his short span of life.A Dhia, Dean tr6caire ar a anam.-MICHAEL BA YNESSLANA great hurricane has swept through ourbranchDevastating the hearts of each one of usFor God in his mercy has left us indoubtWhy he robbed us of Paddy in the primeof his life.Killnavarra near Cavan was the 0O'Raghaile homeA true son of Breffni decided to roam,His culture and faith as everyone knowsHe proudly displayed when the occasionarose.Now Paddy performed in many greatplacesEven in churches with piety and graces,At concerts or ceill he was equally athomeAnd made a success of our pilgrimage toRome.In St. Cedd's he would sit having crackwith the talentAnd wait for his turn that so manydemanded,When his name was called out hisaudience awaitedHe was up in no time for he neverhesitated.His stocky round stature with a heartybroad smile,Paddy strolled up the floor or sometimesthe aisle:Then up on the stage he'd discuss withthe bandWhat he wanted to do and then take thestand.The emigrant song of "The ShamrockShore"Was the first on his list, but we wantedmore!His vast repertoire was ours to admireFor Paddy could sing in any hall, coachor choir.Then on the floor with humour and wit­"The old Siege was the way to keep aman fit!",With his friends around him dancing asetHe'd dance rings round and round withsmallest wee kid.The evening now over, time forArnhran na bhFiann"From some part of the hall you couldhear his voice ringWith Gaelic, and feeling expressing hiswishThat peace and unification were closerto us.26