Minister helps uncover hidden Cavan legacy in Florida

Minister Niamh Smyth’s recent visit to Florida uncovered a remarkable historical revelation. While exploring the rich Irish heritage of St Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States, she discovered that Father Miguel (Michael) O’Reilly, long celebrated in local history, was in fact a proud son of Cavan.

The correction was identified through Professor Declan Downey who has lectured at University College Dublin since 1995, and has spent many years investigating how Irish emigrants integrated abroad. The Kerryman joined Minister Smyth and Consul General to Miami, Sarah Kavanagh, when they visited the historic Tolomato Cemetery where Fr O'Reilly, previously thought to be from neighbouring Longford, is laid to rest.

Educated at the University of Salamanca in Spain during the Penal Law era, Fr O’Reilly, ministered in St Augustine from 1784 until his death in 1812. In 1797, he dedicated a church that is now the Cathedral-Basilica of St Augustine.

The priest's former home is today preserved as the Father Miguel O'Reilly House Museum (also known as the House of Don Lorenzo de Leon).

“It has been amazing to travel 4,000 miles and discover the life and legacy of a son of Cavan,” said the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Connections

Minister Smyth made another local connection, albeit more personal, when visiting St Catherine of Siena Church in Clearwater, where Kingscourt-native Fr Michael Finnegan served from 1974 until his death in 2005, aged 57 years.

A friend of her parents Des and Maura, during his 24-year tenure in Clearwater, Fr Finnegan was instrumental in the Florida parish’s growth. The parish’s Knights of Columbus council today bears his name, as does the Fr Michael Finnegan Family Life Centre, which stands on the church grounds.

Educated at St Joseph's Boys School in Kingscourt, Fr Finnegan studied for the priesthood at All Hallows, before being ordained in June 1974. He spent 31 years ministering in Florida, celebrating his Silver Jubilee in both Kingscourt and Clearwater in June 1999.

Minister Smyth also met parishioners who fondly remembered the Cavan priest. “Fr Finnegan was one of my father’s oldest friends and visited my home in Bailieborough every summer of my childhood. I never dreamed that my work would bring me to his last parish. It was a deeply moving experience.”

Diaspora

Minister Smyth meanwhile opened two exhibitions during her visit to Florida - 'Lá Fhéile Pádraig: the Irish Diaspora in St Augustine 1595–1840' exhibit' and 'Talamh', at the Momentum Gallery, which featured the work of eight Irish artists.

She also visited several Irish-run hospitality venues, including Raglan Road at Disney Springs where Michael Tierney from Ballymachugh works as Assistant General Manager.

Minister Smyth toured Kingspan’s North American headquarters in DeLand, meeting Donal Casey and Karim Muri, praising the Cavan company as a “fantastic example” of a local success story on the “world stage”.

In Miami, the Minister who has special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, met with representatives of Fexco, an Irish company expanding in agentic AI; and at Miami Dade College’s AI and Innovation Centre, she explored training students for a rapidly evolving economy.

In Jacksonville, the minister held discussions with Dun & Bradstreet, a company focused on the changing skills landscape driven by AI.

“Each stop this week offered a different window into the two-way Ireland-US relationship. From Cavan companies like Kingspan making their mark in the American market, to diaspora communities keeping Irish culture alive across Florida, it was a remarkable week and a reminder of just how deep and dynamic that relationship truly is,” Minister Smyth said.

Among her other diplomatic engagements to further discuss Irish-US relations were meetings with various city mayors of - Augustine (Nancy Sikes-Kline), Jacksonville (Donna Deegan), Miami-Dade County (Daniella Levine Cava), and in Tampa (Jane Castor).

The minister met others members of the Cavan diaspora including Sean McCullough from Drumalee, owner of Florida Lighting and Automation, and a partner in The Leinster, Miami’s newest Irish bar, and Osteria, a fine dining Italian restaurant.

The visit concluded at Tampa’s River of Green festival, alongside founder Bob Buckhorn and Mayor Castor.