Brendan O'Reilly
1929 - 2001

Gentle giant Brendan O'Reilly was one of Ireland's best known and best loved personalities. In a long and distinguished career that saw him excel in sport, broadcasting, theater, music and film, Brendan displayed his wealth in talent that was only surpassed by his depth and richness in character, charm and integrity.

A country boy at heart
Born in Granard, Co Longford, his family moved to Dublin when Brendan was just 10 years old. His childhood years in Granard made a lasting impression on him. His love for the simple country way of life is best expressed in his recording of From the cottage down the boreen which he made with Owl during his all too few retirement years.

Sports career
It was sport that first brought Brendan to national prominence. As well as winning an athletic scholarship to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, he also set Irish records in the high jump and javelin. In the White City, London in 1954, he set a British Championship high jump record at 6ft 5ins. His Arts degree from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor combined with his success at sport started him on a career as RTE commentator and sports frontman. That career lasted for over 30 years until his retirement in 1994.

Links with Dana
Brendan's career linked up with Ireland's MEP Dana on two occasions. He hosted the National Song Contest won by Dana in 1971 and 10 years later, he starred as Detective Inspector Michael Roarke in the classic children's film Flight of the Doves in which Dana played the tinker girl. Brendan's acting career included many other professional appearances on film and in theater. Across the Spectrum, his one man show of poems and song was presented on stage and also on RTE radio. His number one rated light entertainment show, The Life of O'Reilly, ran for 39 weeks on TV. As a light entertainment presenter, he has hosted four National Song contests, two Rose of Tralee contests, five Housewife of the Year contests, the Miss Ireland and the Miss Teen Talent contests as well as Jury's Irish Cabaret. Additionally, he has commentated on TV for three Eurovision song contests.

Brendan - the songwriter
Three of Brendan's songs have featured in the Irish charts - The Ballad of Michael Collins, The Marathon song and Our Games. He has also written the International Olympic song - Let the Nations Play. Brendan sang lead vocals on two of his songs that reached the Irish charts. He has also had prize-winning songs in the Cavan and Castlebar song contests.

Retirement
Brendan's links with Owl did not begin until after his retirement from RTE Sports. He wanted to use his retirement years to immerse himself in his his first love of drama, music and poetry.

His recording of From the Cottage down the Boreen had a freshness and magic that captured the soul of Ireland. Set as a monologue to the strains of Slievenamon from the hugely successful Mystical Ireland series, Brendan's tale presented his extraordinary youthful vision that could only be appreciated fully in hindsight. It was a moving portrayal of the dreams of a young boy who is totally immersed in his hopes for his local football team. Brendan's performance was superb against an enchanting musical backdrop.

Irish Legends for children
In 1997, Brendan made dramatized recordings of Owl's best selling series of Irish Legend books for children. Now on sale as a book and tape series, his distinctive voice and easy style continues to live on for a new generation of Irish children who have not had an opportunity to see him during the heyday of his broadcasting career.

Underworld
It is perhaps fitting that the only vocals on Underworld, the Dagda album which enjoyed so much success in the US New Age airplay charts is Brendan's narration of "My Singing Bird"

Brendan is survived by his wife Johanna (Lowry) and by his four children Hannah, Rossa, Kelan and Myles.