biography

I am the man that I am

Three Musketeers: Tom Munnelly, Jerry O’Reilly and Jim MacFarland 2007

I’ve been listening to songs and singing all of my life. My first memories of singing were in my paternal grandparents’ house in Pembroke Cottages in Donnybrook.

Singing: family influences

I have memories of crawling around on the floor as a toddler during Hoolies there listening to the singing and, I’m told, emptying all of the bottles.

My grandmother Annie Bissett was a magnificent singer with a ‘big’ voice. I can still hear her in my mind singing Teddy O’Neill.

My grandfather ‘Jacko’ O’Reilly was also an excellent singer who had joined the British Navy during the First World War and who’s favourite song was Bold Robert Emmet.

They were both natives of Ringsend, which at that time, around the turn of the last century, was still ‘a place apart’ from the rest of Dublin.

My father and mother were both singers although neither of them sang traditional songs.

My father George was a man who would be noted amongst his friends and acquaintances as a man always ready and willing to sing a song.

With a background like that I suppose it was inevitable that once I heard traditional songs I would be hooked.

In 1957 while on a scout camp in Mountshannon in Co. Clare we were taken to a Fleadh Cheoil in TulIa. The impact of the music and singing on me was immediate.

Street singers and teachers

While standing in the street I heard a traveller sing The Lowlands of Holland and couldn’t get it out of my mind after that.

Luckily the teacher I had in primary school Jerry Mahony was also the teacher who ran the school choir.

Jerry’s idea of song was Anach Cuain, An Spailpín Fanach, Silent O Moyle, and The West Awake. Another great influence. The songs I sing are songs that I’ve picked up from various sources and people and I’ve been singing and enjoying for years.

I’m indebted to all of the wonderful singers that I’ve met over the years who gave of their songs and friendship so freely and who have gone ‘Ar Sli na Firrinnge’:

Frank Harte, Tom Lenihan, Nora Cleary, Mikey ‘Straighty’ Flanagan, Martin Reidy, Con Greaney, Geordie Hanna, Martin Long, Martin Howley, Maggie McGee, Cornie McDaid, Katie Droney, Miko Russell, Frank Bryson, Liz Jeffries, Willie Clancy, Sean Ac Dhonnachda, and many more.

“Ar dheis Dé a raibh a N-anam usail”

Irish Set Dancing

Jerry is a founder member of the Brooks Academy Dancing School established in 1982.

He is still actively involved and teaches a weekly dance class there.

Jerry has taught dancing in Paris to the Association Irlandaise annually since 1988, at the Willie Clancy Summer School since 1984, at Wadebridge in 1998, at Sidmouth in 1999 and at Whitby Folk Week every year since 2000.

He has taught dancing at the North American Convention of Comhaltas Ceolttoir-Eireann in Washington D.C in 2000, and paid a return visit there in December 2001.

And Jerry has taught dancing at ‘Feile Cois Chuain’ in 2004, The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Aberdeen in 2006, and has recently returned from teaching at the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention and the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival in St. Johns, Newfoundland.

He is in demand as a teacher/caller all over Ireland, the U.K., Europe, The United States and Canada.

I am, so I am ...

An Góilín
Traditional Singers Club

Brooks Academy

influenced by family & friends

Jack O’Reilly, my grandfather

Influence on my life, Jack O’Reilly

“I have memories of crawling around on the floor as a toddler during Hoolies there listening to the singing and, I’m told, emptying all of the bottles.

My grandmother Annie Bissett was a magnificent singer with a ‘big’ voice. I can still hear her in my mind singing Teddy O’Neill.

My grandfather ‘Jacko’ O’Reilly was also an excellent singer who had joined the British Navy during the First World War and whose favourite song was Bold Robert Emmet.”

Tom Munnelly, song collector, and my brother-in-law

Influences on my life:
Tom Munnelly & Frank Harte

Jerry with Frank Harte

... and of course,

My Family

Anne and Jerry O’Reilly with Annette Munnelly, Jerry’s sister

Brothers Frank, George (my father), & Jackie O’Reilly

... and not excluding:

Gaelic Football and Hurling

Another of passion of mine is Gaelic Football and Hurling, and particularly the Dublin Gaelic Football and Hurling teams

September 18, 2011
Hill 16 Celebrations

Hill 16 celebration : winning the final at Croke Park , September 18th 2011

“I’ve the mother and father of a hangover, but what a day. And to snatch it a the last minute like that was magic!”

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Folk Leads Publications 2008