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Dermot O'Reilly

1942 – 2007

Irish-Canadian musician

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About Dermot O'Reilly

Lived 1942 – 2007 (aged 64–65). Dermot O'Reilly was a Canadian musician, record producer, singer, television producer and songwriter.

Dermot Anthony O'Reilly (1942 – 17 February 2007) was an Irish-born Canadian musician, producer and songwriter.

Life He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and educated at Inchicore in the city.

In March 1968, O'Reilly emigrated to Toronto where he met future bandmates Fergus O'Byrne and Denis Ryan. He was one of the founding members of The Sons of Erin and helped form the band Sullivan's Gypsies in 1970.

In 1971, O'Reilly, O'Byrne and Ryan moved to St. John's and began performing as Ryan's Fancy. Ryan's Fancy became a popular Irish group that released 12 albums and hosted a successful television program for several seasons. O'Reilly wrote and produced many Irish songs as a member of Ryan's Fancy, as a solo artist and later as a member of the group Brishney. O'Reilly performed regularly with Fergus O'Byrne.

In 2004, Ryan's Fancy was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the East Coast Music Association. After Ryan's Fancy disbanded, O'Reilly founded Piperstock Productions, a video production and marketing company based in Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador.

O'Reilly died of a heart attack, aged 64, in St. John's and is survived by his wife, Ann, and their three daughters.

Works Some of Piperstock's video productions are: The Last Run Rigs, Jigs and Songs from the Heart Cain's Legacy

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Important facts

Born
1942, Dublin
Birth century
Nationality
Education
Memorial University of Newfoundland

People in Dermot O'Reilly's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Dermot O'Reilly's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Dermot O'Reilly?

Irish-Canadian musician

When was Dermot O'Reilly born?

Dermot O'Reilly was born in 1942 in Dublin.

When did Dermot O'Reilly die?

Dermot O'Reilly died on 17 February 2007 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

What was Dermot O'Reilly's occupation?

Dermot O'Reilly was a musician, record producer, singer, television producer and songwriter.

What nationality was Dermot O'Reilly?

Dermot O'Reilly was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Dermot O'Reilly

· Wikidata: Q5262841

· DBpedia: Dermot O'Reilly

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Dermot O'Reilly. https://biography.guide/dermot-o-reilly/

MLA: "Dermot O'Reilly." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/dermot-o-reilly/.

Chicago: "Dermot O'Reilly." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/dermot-o-reilly/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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