14 Facts About Francis O'Reilly

Francis Joseph Charles O'Reilly was an Irish businessman, noted for his work in the reviving the Irish distillery industry and modernising Ireland's banking.

Francis O'Reilly served as Chancellor of the University of Dublin from 1985 to 1998.

Francis O'Reilly joined Powers in 1946, during a time when there were only four Irish distilleries left: Powers, Cork Distilleries Company, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and Williams of Tullamore.

Francis O'Reilly was credited with several key decisions that made a lasting contribution to Ireland's economy.

In particular, Francis O'Reilly was instrumental in selling IDL to the French company Pernod Ricard in 1988, avoiding a hostile takeover by the UK's Grand Metropolitan group.

Francis O'Reilly was president of the Royal Dublin Society and served as the 23rd Chancellor of the University of Dublin.

Francis O'Reilly was a director of Ulster and National Westminster Banks.

Francis 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.

Francis O'Reilly was instrumental in Dublin being selected as the site of the 10th Show Jumping World Championships in 1982.

Francis O'Reilly was conferred an honorary degree of doctor of laws by Dublin University and the National University of Ireland.

Francis O'Reilly was an honorary fellow of his alma mater, Trinity College Dublin.

In 2002, Francis 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.

In 1950, Francis O'Reilly married Teresa "Tess" Williams, of the Tullamore distilling family.

Francis O'Reilly died at Rathmore, County Kildare at age 91, survived by his wife and 10 children, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.