Born in Granard 1929, 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 much of his poetry and songwriting.
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 which he held for 21 years. 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, USA, combined with his success at sport started him on a career as RTE television commentator and sports frontman. That career lasted for over 30 years until his retirement in 1994.
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.
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.
Sadly Brendan died before his time in April 2001of Bowel cancer. He is survived by his wife Johanna and his four children Hannah, Kelan, Rossa and eldest son from a former girlfriend, Myles O Reilly mail@mylesoreilly.com
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It would be all too easy to write in words the details of my father's life. Somehow I feel as though to list everything might read like an itinerary, a bundle of events that would do no justice to his memory. My father was an athlete, an actor, a poet and a songwriter but above all else, he was man who loved to communicate, and anyone who ever met my dad will have instantly warmed to his company as he would have in theirs. It was a gift that won him many friends. As a television sports presenter and entertainer, a whole nation would endear to his personality, and upon reflection it was his selfless social manner and his beautiful and poetic outlook on life which I will always regard as being his greatest accoplishment to remember him by.
