Tony O’Reilly
Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds with Tony O’Reilly at the opening of O’Reilly Hall at UCD’s Belfield Campus, November 1994.
Left: Rodney Murphy, Tony O’Reilly and Bartle Pitcher at the Independent Newspapers Extraordinary General Meeting in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin in 1973.
Anthony Joseph Francis O’Reilly (born 7 May 1936, Dublin, Ireland) pictured in his Hatch Street office. Circa January 1986 (part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI collection). (Photo by Independent News And Media/Getty Images)
Dr. AJF O’Reilly speaks at a ceremony in the Atrium, Dublin, Ireland, March 3, 2000. (Part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI collection) (Photo by Tony Gavin/Independent News and Media/Getty Images)
Tony O’Reilly
Tony O’Reilly with Nelson Mandela (Queen’s University Belfast/Pennsylvania)
Anthony O’Reilly died aged 88 at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin on Saturday morning. The former businessman, international rugby player and chief executive of Independent News & Media (INM) was taken to hospital with pneumonia just over two weeks ago.
In recent years he lived in a house next to his former home on the 750-acre Castlemartin estate in Kildare. His family were informed of his death on Saturday and his funeral will take place in Dublin next week.
O’Reilly first bought Independent Newspapers in 1973 and built it into an international media empire with publications in South Africa, Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand.
He lost control of the company in 2012 when Denis O’Brien became the company’s largest shareholder.
The O’Reilly family said in a statement released on Saturday night: “In the coming days there will be many fitting tributes to Tony O’Reilly’s unique and extraordinary achievements in business and sport. As well as his extraordinary philanthropic vision, which is the best testament to The establishment of the Irish Foundations comes at a difficult time in the history of this island.
“But he was a much-loved dad and grandpa to us. He lived one of the most remarkable lives and we were fortunate to spend time with him in his final weeks as this great life drew to a close.”
Anthony Joseph Francis O’Reilly (born 7 May 1936, Dublin, Ireland) pictured in his Hatch Street office. Circa January 1986 (part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI collection). (Photo by Independent News And Media/Getty Images)
When his death was announced, Simon Harris, Taoiseach, said: “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Tony O’Reilly.
“Mr O’Reilly was a giant of sports, business and media and left an everlasting legacy in all three. He was a pioneer who sought to enter the scene of international business. Through his work in the UK, USA and Ireland, he paved the way for many other international business figures from Ireland to follow. Modern Ireland likes to see itself as an island at the center of the world – Tony O’Reilly was one of the first Irish businessmen to truly believe this.
“In such a varied life it is difficult to focus on one area, but the establishment of the Irish Foundations by Tony O’Reilly with the late Dan Rooney has had a transformative effect on the island of Ireland. Foundations of Ireland is an example of peace and reconciliation brilliantly built from scratch in communities. He was one of the biggest donors to our common Ireland and the cause of peace and is still going strong. I know Mr. O’Reilly was extremely proud of the funds.
“Tony O’Reilly was a giant and his passing will be felt by the many people he came in contact with during his long life. My thoughts are especially with his children and grandchildren at this sad time.”
Tanist Mickel Martin said: “The Irish Foundations were one of his greatest legacies. He changed the Irish-American narrative about Northern Ireland. He lived life to the fullest.”
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar added: “There can be no doubt that he was an impressive entrepreneur and one of the first of a generation to show that Ireland could do business and succeed economically.”
The IRFU posted on their X account: “A legend of the game has passed. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. He played for the first time at the age of 18 and won 29
@irishrugby caps and was a @lionsofficial hero.”