Richard Rahilly

Richard Rahilly (1839–1896), was a grocer, entrepreneur, justice of the peace and nationalist public representative in Ballylongford, Co, Kerry, in the latter part of the 19th century.

At a nationalist meeting in 1877 in Ballylongford, he seconded a vote of confidence in the nationalist MP, Rowland Ponsonby Blennerhassett.[1] He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1890[2] and was a member of the Board of Guardians of Listowel Poor Law Union.

As a grocer[3] and entrepreneur he was innovative and was said to be the first person in Ireland with a domestic fridge,[4] as well as to have had the first cash register in Munster.[5] He was involved in setting up Listowel creamery co-operative,[6] now part of Kerry Group,

He was father of the revolutionary leader The O'Rahilly and of the republican activists Nell Humphreys[7] and Anno O'Rahilly.

He died as a result of pneumonia contracted when cycling home to Ballylongford in torrential rain from a meeting of Listowel Board of Guardians in March 1896.[8]

References
  1. The Irish Times, 18 September 1877.
  2. The O'Rahilly Papers, UCD Archives, Document P102/35.
  3. http://mykerryancestors.com/ballylongford-1861/
  4. http://www.turtlebunbury.com/published/published_books/irish_pubs/irishpubs/rural/pub_books_finucanes.html
  5. http://humphrysfamilytree.com/ORahilly/richard.html
  6. http://humphrysfamilytree.com/ORahilly/richard.html
  7. https://www.tcd.ie/library/1916/mother-of-perpetual-help/
  8. The Kerry Evening Post, 21 March 1896; The O'Rahlily Papers UCD Archive Document P106/318(5).


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