RIP: From rearing turf in Longford to working with New York Times, Arva man lived life to the full
Late Thomas ‘Vincent’ O’Reilly, Cormore, Arva, Co Cavan, formerly of Three County Inn, Arva, New York, and Killeshandra
There was widespread sadness when the news filtered out that Thomas ‘Vincent’ O’Reilly had passed away in his 98th year on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Vincent was born in Drumambry, Killeshandra and attended Corliss National School. He worked for the Council for a number of years while also playing football for the Cornafean club until he emigrated to the United States in 1949.
His future wife, Kathleen Masterson from Bruce also separately travelled to New York at that time and they married in 1951.
Vincent worked in several occupations in Manhattan, finally ending up in machine maintenance with the New York Times newspaper.
In 1962 he purchased a farm in Cornafean overlooking the current football pitch. However, after just two years there they decided to sell up and return to New York.
They always intended to return home and in 1969 they purchased what was then Feeney’s Commercial Hotel in Arva, which had a news agency and public house. It was renamed The Three County Inn and major renovations were required to bring it up to modern standards.
Vincent and Kathleen retired in 1984, having built their new home in Cormore. The itch of New York was still there and they again returned to it in 1985, staying for a further 6 years.
After 10 years back in Cormore, Kathleen passed away in June 2001. Vincent remained very active with Arva GAA club and the Arva Agricultural Show Society as well as rearing turf in Longford.
In 2024 Vincent accepted he could no longer live on his own and resided in the Residential Unit of Virginia Primary Care Centre for just over two years.
Vincent was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, brothers Packie, Terry, Mogue (London) and sister Patricia (Sydney).
He will be missed by his son John, daughter in law, Jackie, grandsons Vinny and Kevin, granddaughter in law Eimear, great grandsons JP, Sonny and Bruce, his sister Eileen Magee and sisters in law Patricia and Rose Masterson to all of whom we extend sincere sympathy.
Vincent reposed in Lakeland Funeral Home, Cavan where a large number paid their respects. His funeral Mass took place in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Arva on May 29 followed by burial in Coronea Cemetery. Fr Andrew Tully P.P. Killeshandra officiated.