Francis Joseph Charles O'Reilly

Francis Joseph Charles O'Reilly (13 November 1922 – 11 August 2013) was an Irish businessman, noted for his work in the reviving the Irish distillery industry and modernising Ireland's banking. He served as Chancellor of the University of Dublin from 1985 to 1998.

Biography O'Reilly was born into an affluent family in Dublin amidst the Irish Civil War, the son of a physician. He was also a director of Ulster and National Westminster Banks.

Equestrian sport O'Reilly was very involved in equestrian sport, and was a member of the National Hunt Steeplechasing Committee, president of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland, chairman of Punchestown Racecourse and of the Kildare Hunt, and steward and trustee of the Turf Club.

O'Reilly was instrumental in Dublin being selected as the site of the 10th Show Jumping World Championships in 1982. These world championships were the first to include a compulsory horse inspection prior to the event.

Honours

O'Reilly was conferred an honorary degree of doctor of laws by Dublin University (1978) and the National University of Ireland (1986). He was also an honorary fellow of his alma mater, Trinity College Dublin.

In 2002, O'Reilly was invested as a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the restoration of the Irish College in Paris.

Personal life In 1950, O'Reilly married Teresa "Tess" Williams, of the Tullamore distilling family. They had ten children: Mary, Charles, Jane, Olivia, Margaret, Rose, Louise, Peter, Paul and Julie.

He died at Rathmore, County Kildare at age 91, survived by his wife and ten children, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.