Month: April 2019

“Life of Reilly”? (Riley)

On By 19pondstreetIn Riley, Stories and TriviaLeave a comment

Recently, while culling through some files, I came across this Ask the Globe (Boston Globe) article from 6/16/92, and thought you would get a kick out of it.

Q. Who leads the “Life of Reilly”?

A. Anyone who so chooses, although the original name was “O’Reilly.” The expression comes from the American vaudeville song “Are You the O’Reilly?” popularized by Pat Rooney in the 1880s about everyone’s pleasures once the the song’s namesake strikes it rich. Two of the promises made in the lyrics are “A hundreds day will be small pay,” and “On the railroads you’ll pay no fare.” At the end of each verse the vaudeville audiences would join in the chorus: “Are you the O’Reilly they speak of so well? Are you the O’Reilly they speak so highly? Gorblime me, O’Reilly, you’re looking well.”

Born on this date

On By 19pondstreetIn Birthdays, Mulligan - MA, RileyLeave a comment

Kathleen Agnes (Riley) Mulligan, b) April 15, 1899 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and passed away on August 19, 1988 in Norton, Massachusetts. Kathleen married Willian Frances Mulligan of Foxboro, MA on June 1, 1920 in Pawtucket.

Kathleen Agnes seated in the middle of her siblings: Patrick J wearing tan sweater, William L in dark suit, Frances C in brown suit, Marion R in speckled dress, Gertrude C in pink/red dress and Margaret E center bottom of photo.

Born on this date

On By 19pondstreetIn Birthdays, RileyLeave a comment

Elizabeth Theresa Riley, daughter of Patrick Riley (Ireland) and Rose Kiernan (Ireland), on this date in 1881 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She never married. In the 1940 US Federal Census, her occupation was listed as an “Inspector” in one of the local textile factories. Prior to her passing on October 2, 1951, Elizabeth resided with other family members at 181 South Bend Street, Pawtucket.