Peggy O’Reilly was dedicated to promotion of Boyle O’Reilly
INSPIRED by the poetry of her hero John Boyle O’Reilly, bouquets of red and white roses formed a guard of honour for the passing of Drogheda’s Peggy O’Reilly.
Peggy who passed away on Friday (June 27th) played a huge role in the cultural life of the town. During her long and very active 85 years Peggy was President of Drogheda’s Gardening Club.
She was also very active in the Old Drogheda Society and the local branches of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann as well as the Irish Countrywomen’s Association and the St Vincent de Paul Society.
But it was for her work on behalf of Slane poet John Boyle O’Reilly that Peggy, from Pine Hamlet on the Dublin Road, was particularly renowned.
‘She resurrected O’Reilly reputation as a poet and travelled the world as his ambassador,’ said Eugene Byrne. ‘From Boston to Perth in Australia, Peggy travelled to speak to John Boyle O’Reilly groups on both continents. She also helped publish a book of his poetry ‘Cry of the Dreamer,’ he added.
A friend and colleague in the Drogheda Gardening Club, Eugene told how some 27 years ago Peggy transformed the Drogheda Horticultural Show into one of the best of its type in the country. He recalled the lively, active woman with an enormous range of interests who ‘ hadn’t a bad word to say about anyone.’ ‘Peggy loved to sing and do monologues. Her particular party piece was ‘ the ass fair,’ and the tears would run down your cheeks with laughter,’ said Eugene.
Originally from Oldcastle, Peggy moved to Drogheda when she married her husband Liam.
Peggy worked for the Department of Agriculture in Drogheda. The O’Reilly’s also ran a shop in Dyer Street for some years.
A well known face about town Peggy was often seen busy helping out in Millmount museum or on hospital visitations with the St Mary’s conference of the St Vincent de Paul society.
There was a large attendance at her funeral mass on Tuesday in St Mary’s Church and burial afterwards in Calvary Cemetery.