Life of Reilly

You probably have ascertained that “the life of Reilly” means a carefree, happy life just by the context in which it is always used. But who was this Reilly (Riley, O’Reilly, Reiley, etc.) character, and how did they get so lucky?

Despite English and Scottish attempts to steal the identity, Reilly is all Irish. No one from England is happy, are they? I guess being “from” England is better than being “in” England, but how could you be happy with a country that stuffs a sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs in a sheep’s stomach and calls that a delicacy? English food seems to be based on a dare, as I see it. But I digress.

First, some nomenclature. O’Reilly originated from the Irish name Raghallach, which is Gaelic in origin and means “valiant” and “rye meadow.” I’m not certain of the connection, but it probably has something to do with being a mighty warrior in the Reilly clan and dying valiantly in a battle on a pristine meadow. The Irish certainly revel in honoring their mighty warriors, so Reilly is derived from good feelings already.

The life of Reilly has a murky history, which might begin in the USA and not Ireland, but I have my doubts. Irish songs of the 1800s mentioned Reilly’s good fortune, including the 1897 song The Best in the House is None Too Good for Reilly (not an especially snippy title, heh?). “He’s money for to pay, so they let him have his way. The best in the house is none too good for Reilly.” There was a singer by the name of Reiley who was living the life in 1899 in a popular folk ballad, so generally, the phrase appears to have come from the late 1800s. But an Irish historian vividly recalls the impetus for the ballad being a fellow named Willy Reilly, dating back to the 1820s. So Reilly was based on a real guy.

The story of Willy Reilly is fun. He eloped with his girlfriend, Coolen Bawn, a young heiress of note. He was caught and prosecuted for her abduction, not exactly an elopement. But the young lass (her youth was never established) came to the rescue and fessed up that she went with him voluntarily. Reilly was freed and lived an opulent life with access to all her riches. Thus, the “life of Reilly.” (The entire ballad is on my website.)

Who do you know who is living the life of Reilly? Well, if you know me, you know a truly blessed man. But there are many of us. I hope you are also one who lives an abundant life. It’s not what you have that matters, though; it’s your attitude about life that matters.

Erin go bragh! Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Kelly Burke, attorney, former district attorney, and magistrate judge, writes about the law, rock’n’roll, politics, or anything that strikes him. Contact Kelly at dakellyburke@gmail.com to comment on this article or suggest articles that you’d like to see, and visit his website at www.kellyrburke.com

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