Former principal of Mullahoran national school remembered as an inspirational community leader

On Sunday, August 13 last, we laid Rosemary O’Reilly to rest in Mullahoran cemetery alongside her ancestors.

Rosemary, a Mullahoran woman true and true, formerly Reilly, Mullahoran passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at her residence on Thursday, August 10 in the presence of her loving family.

Rosemary was the epitome of all that is good in parish and community, an inspirational leader, a tireless worker, a gracious and selfless lady who took great pride in all she was involved in.

Born on August 21, 1943 Rosemary was a former Principal of Mullahoran NS where she earned the respect of colleagues, parents and parishioners alike.

For over 50 years she was a leading light in community games, not alone in the parish but in county as well as at national levels, also the local Athletic Club giving children the opportunity to better themselves both in body and in spirit.

She was a founder member of the local Apostolic Society where funds were raised for priests and nuns from the parish working on the missions and she took a particular interest in assisting Antoin MacGabhann in organising the annual Traditional Irish concert and also providing material for his recent publication. 

Rosemary was always at hand when important letters and documents were called for and she had a unique style of handwriting which defined her personality. It is fair to say that in practically all walks of life in the parish Rosemary had an input such was her capacity to assist and her passing will be strongly felt for some time to come. 

Rosemary herself had a warm and friendly personality and enjoyed a good story and loved having visitors to her lovely home. She suffered a great loss last Christmas when her dear friend and former colleague Peggy Moroney passed away unexpectedly also. 

She had a strong faith and one of the gifts brought to the altar were her rosary beads, she loved her visits to Knock, Lourdes and the Holy Land and the Zambia missions and she was a willing volunteer for church duties. It was fitting that her late Uncle Fr Charles Comiskey’s chalice was used at her funeral mass.

Family meant everything to Rosemary and her children and grandchildren are immersed in sport and culture which gave her great satisfaction. When she had some spare time she loved gardening and some of her roses were presented at the altar. 

She was predeceased by her parents James and Mary and baby granddaughter Eileen and will be sadly missed by her devoted husband Oliver, her children Noel (Theresa), Damien (Joan), Annemarie, Finbar (Grainne), Olivia (Seamus), Denise (Liam), her adored grandchildren William, Cian, Oisin, Cormac, Shannon, Enya, Fionn, Fainche, Etain, Orna, Rían, Fiadh and Iarla, her sister Kathy Fegan (Sean), her nephew David, sister in law, brothers in law, nieces and nephews in law, former teaching colleagues, neighbours and a wide circle of friends to whom we offer our deepest sympathy. 

Her remains reposed at her home on Friday and Saturday afternoons, August 11 and 12, where large numbers came to pay their respects to this great lady.

There was an overflowing congregation at the funeral mass in Our Lady of Lourdes church, Mullahoran on Sunday where Fr P J was assisted by Fr Jim Brady and Fr Kevin Fay and burial followed to local cemetery.

Suaimhneas siorai da hanam dilis.