Tributes paid to Fr Oliver O’Reilly from Cornafean

FR OLIVER O’Reilly, parish priest in Ballyconnell for some years and more recently Cornafean, has died.

The priest of 47 years, who served in several parishes in Co Cavan as well as Leitrim, Meath and Longford, passed away shortly after 7pm on Saturday evening, March 21, surrounded by family at Connolly Hospital and St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown.

Fr O’Reilly’s funeral mass took place in Sacred Heart Church, Arva, on Tuesday before interment in the family plot at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Coronea.

Born on July 13, 1947, he was the son of John P. O’Reilly and Rose Comaskey of Cloncose, Cornafean in the parish of Killeshandra. Fr Oliver was ordained to the priesthood on June 20, 1971.

Giving the eulogy at Fr Oliver’s requiem mass, the priest’s youngest brother, P.J. O’Reilly, said their mother was the greatest inspiration for Oliver joining the priesthood.

“Our mother had deep faith and a profound trust in God,” PJ said.

Fr Ollie, as he was affectionately called by many, began his ministry as a curate in Kilmore Diocese first in Tierworker followed by Kilmainhamwood, Crosskeys, Denn and Dromahair.

In 1983, he volunteered to work with the Kilteegan fathers on the Kilmore Mission to Minna, Nigeria. When he returned to Ireland in 1994, he took up work in Cavan and Leitrim parishes.

He was parish priest at Kildallan parish, which includes Ballyconnell, from 2015 to 2022 after which he worked part-time in the parishes of Killeshandra and Arva.

Fr O’Reilly made national headline news in November 2019 when he used a homily at Sunday mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church to condemn the “paymaster or paymasters” behind the abduction of Kevin Lunney.

Fr O’Reilly was parish priest in Ballyconnell in September 2019 at the time of the “barbaric and horrific attack”.

He likened the abduction from him home to “a modern form of crucifixion”.

“I now believe there has been a mafia-style group with their own godfather operating in our region for some behind the scenes,” Fr O’Reilly told the congregation.

However, audio-visual accounts of that day’s mass show the national media were expecting the public denunciation and converged on Ballyconnell for the event.

A professional video, which, is still available to view online today, was placed close to the priest on his right-hand side and filmed the 10-minute homily in its entirety.

He was supported by many in the community at the time, as well as the Association of Catholic Priests.

Fr Oliver is predeceased by his parents, John P. and Rose, sister Angela Masterson, his brother Seamus, niece Brenda and grandniece Kiera Aoife.

A large crowd of mourners gathered to say farewell to Fr O’Reilly in Arva. His funeral mass, which, was attended by over 40 priests, was celebrated by the Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes. Bishop Emeritus Leo O’Reilly was also present, while hundreds others watched the mass online.

Fr O’Reilly was also known for his tireless work promoting camogie in Co Cavan.

On their Facebook page Official Cavan Camogie said: “Fr Oliver was more than a priest and mentor — he was a true champion of our game. His deep love for camogie shone through in everything he did, from founding Shercock Camogie Club in 2013 to supporting, guiding, and inspiring clubs across the county for many years.”

Fr Oliver O’Reilly was instrumental in the publication of a book in 2011 about the history of Cavan Camogie.

Calling Fr O’Reilly “a remarkable man” Shercock Camogie Club also posted a touching online tribute to their founder.

“He was the heart and soul of our club. With vision, determination, and a genuine love for people and sport especially Camogie, [he created] a home where friendships were forged, values were nurtured, and generations were brought together.

“His belief in the power of community spirit shaped everything he touched,” Shercock Camogie Club wrote.

People with fond memories of the local priest also remembered him on The Anglo-Celt Facebook page.

“Fr Oliver was a man of great integrity, courage and compassion. An exemplary life and vocation,” one Celt reader wrote.

A former pupil at St Patrick’s College Cavan, Fr Ollie was described by many as “wonderful priest and gentleman, genuine and caring”.