The centenary of the death of John Boyle O’Reilly, the poet, fenian and newspaper editor is celebrated. This includes  extracts from work "The Old School Clock", "The Wild Goose", "My Mother’s Memory", "The Falcon and the Dove" and "Little Blathnaid".

Born in Dowth Castle, County Meath, on June 28, 1844. O'Reilly's family was fiercely patriotic, and his mother was closely related to John Allen, who had played an important role in Robert Emmet's rising in 1803.

O'Reilly studied journalism at Drogheda Co. Louth. The Fenian Society sent him to England as an agent, but he was arrested and condemned to death, a sentence which was at the last moment commuted to penal servitude in Australia. After enduring this for a year he escaped in a boat and finally landed at Philadelphia. This was in 1869 when O'Reilly was but twenty-five years old. From this time to his death, he was a great force in the movement for justice to Ireland and through the "Boston Pilot," which he edited for many years, he championed not only all liberal movements for his native, but also for his adopted country. O'Reilly's literature and work with civil rights have been celebrated throughout the years.

Presented by Bill Long

Produced by Seamus Hosey

First broadcast September 24th 1990

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