Sir Anthony O’Reilly, a legendary figure in Ireland known for his success in rugby, business, and philanthropy, has passed away at the age of 88. O’Reilly, also known as Tony, rose to fame as the creator of the iconic Kerrygold marketing campaign in the 1960s, propelling Irish dairy products onto the international stage.
Born in 1936 in Dublin, O’Reilly had a remarkable upbringing, discovering in his youth that his parents were not legally married to each other. This revelation added a layer of complexity to his life, but some speculated that it may have fueled his drive for success in both sports and business.
O’Reilly’s business acumen led him to transform the fortunes of companies like Heinz and Independent News & Media, where he made significant investments and strategic decisions. He also ventured into the luxury goods market with the acquisition of Waterford Wedgwood, aiming to rival brands like Gucci and Richemont.
Despite his early successes, O’Reilly faced setbacks later in life, including losing control of INM to Denis O’Brien and the bankruptcy of Waterford Wedgwood. These challenges marked a stark contrast to his earlier philanthropic endeavors, such as creating the Ireland Funds to support community projects in Ireland.
Throughout his life, O’Reilly remained a larger-than-life figure, inspiring admiration from those around him. His family described him as leaving behind “permanent legacies” in sports, business, and media. As Ireland mourns the loss of a true icon, O’Reilly’s words ring true: “You win and you lose, and if you don’t know how to lose, you don’t know how to live.”