Month: March 2019

Born on this date

On By 19pondstreetIn Birthdays, Kiernan, Riley1 Comment

Michael J. Riley, son of Patrick Riley (Ireland) and Rose Kieran (Ireland) was born on this date in 1865 in New York City. He was the 1st in our Riley family to be born in the United States. Michael never married. According to his death certificate, Michael died on January 15, 1953, while in a nursing home located in Central Falls. Prior to his stay in the nursing home, he resided at 181 South Bend Street in Pawtucket.

Cynthia L. (Fleury) Massaro, daughter of Barbara H. Riley and Richard B. Fleury, granddaughter of Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985) and Margaret Cecelia McSally (1900-1938). 

The Riley Name

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O’REILLY – ANCIENT RULERS OF CO CAVAN

O’Reilly is the 11th most common surname in Ireland. The name means ‘extroverted one’ and is derived from the old Irish name O’Raghaillach, which means ‘descendent of Raghaillach’. There are several variations of the name some of which are: Riley, O’Reilly, O Raghailligh, Rily, Brily, Bailey

In the 15th century the O’Reillys produced their own coins. A ‘Reilly’ is still used as a name for a coin of significant value.

The motto on the O’Reilly coat of arms says ‘Foutitudine et prudentia’ which means ‘With fortitude and prudence’.

St Mary’s Abbey in County Cavan

The O’Reillys were a very religious family and even set up a Franciscan Friary in Cavan, St Mary’s Abbey. It was founded by Giolla Iosa O’Reilly in the early 12th century. It was burned down by the English in 1468 but soon rebuilt by the Irish. It was an active friary until 1826.

All that remains of the abbey today are the three story tower, the graveyard and a section of the wall. Myles “the slasher” O’Reilly, who was a hero in the Battle of the Bridge of Finea in 1644 is buried in the graveyard, as is 1640 Rebellion leader, Eoghan Roe O Neill.

Thirty nine abbots who worked at St Mary’s were O’Reillys. The family has also produced Archbishops in Co Armagh

Related to the O’Connors

The O’Reilly sept once ruled Breffny, which was an ancient Gaelic kingdom which covered the area that is now Co Cavan and parts of the surrounding counties, particularly Co Westmeath.

They have close links with the O’Connor kings of Connacht. Both families have a common ancestor in Maolmordha. Maolmordha was the great grandfather of Raghaillach, who was the forefather of the O’Reillys.

The first recorded spelling of the name O’Reilly was Cathal O’Reilly who was Prince of Breffny in 1237.

Military O’Reillys

John Boyle O’Reilly was born in Co Louth 1844. He became involved in Fenian military groups and was deported to Australia. He escaped and headed to America where he settled in Boston and became editor of the Pilot newspaper. Before long the Pilot became one of the most read publications in the entire country.

John Rielly was leader of the San Patricios, who were a group of Irish Americans who deserted the US Army during the 1846-48 Mexican war and went to fight for the Mexicans.

They were unhappy with the way Irish American Catholics were treated by the rest of the US Army and also disagreed with brutality towards Mexican citizens, priests and nuns. Today there is a sculpture of John Reilly as well as the flag of the San Patricios in his home town of Clifden, Co Galway. Click on this link to hear the song that honors the San Patricioshttps://youtu.be/rJiGXrfbq1A

Patrick Riley funeral – Sept 15, 1906

On By 19pondstreetIn Obituaries, RileyLeave a comment

The following is a post funeral write–up from the late afternoon edition of the Pawtucket paper describing Irish immigrant Patrick Riley’s funeral.

Evening Times of Pawtucket – pg 8, September 15, 1906

“The funeral of Patrick Riley, which was attended by many of his relatives and friends, took place today. (Sept. 15, 1906)  His remains were taken to St. Joseph’s Church from his late home of 181 South Bend Street and the funeral service was held at 9 o’clock.  It consisted of a high mass of requiem with Rev. Fr. Kiernan of Norwich, Conn. officiating, and after the mass Miss Lucy Smith sang “Jesus, Lover of My Soul.” The esteem and affection in which the deceased was held was attested by the large number of floral tributes.  The funeral coriege included 100 carriages*. The bearers were Owen Keough, Bernard O’Toole, Patrick Fitzpatrick, and James K. Keough, life long friends of the deceased.  Interment was in Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery.”

* One of the grandsons, Patrick J Riley, said that people were still getting into their carriages down by 181 South Bend Street (across from the now McCoy Stadium) as the body was being carried into the church.