'The Ballad of Michael Collins' tribute cover release to late RTÉ presenter

THE late sports presenter and singer, Brendan O’Reilly, who had deep friendships in Mulranny, is being remembered on the 20th anniversary of his death.

Brendan passed on April 1, 2001, and now his son Rossa O’Reilly, with his brother Kelan, has released a tribute cover of Brendan’s hit recording, 'The Ballad of Michael Collins'.

The Longford native, a former sports commentator on RTÉ, athlete, actor and singer-songwriter, was involved in organising the Friends of Michael Collins Society seminars in Mulranny in the early 1980s. The seminars drew large crowds, including people from both sides of the border and overseas.

Said Rossa on the special recording: “We wanted to do something special for this anniversary. While we do not have his knowledge of Collins, we know that of all the songs Brendan wrote, this one held a very special meaning for him.

“In the past, visuals accompanying the ballad focused on Collins. We chose to sing it as a tribute to Brendan. Therefore, we have used a backdrop of photos from his life - some taken long before we were born, but others showing him as the Dad we remember.”

Brendan’s diverse talent spanned a long career and his death in 2001 was a huge loss for his family, friends, and those who knew him through RTÉ sports and his music.

His life and the enduring friendships he enjoyed in Mulranny were celebrated two years ago when a commemorative plaque was unveiled at Nevin's Newfield Inn in Tiernaur.

Back in 1982, his song ‘The Ballad of Michael Collins’ was at number one in the Irish charts. It inspired a local man to organise a seminar on the life of Collins, which was held in the former Great Southern Hotel in Mulranny.

When approached to get involved, Brendan asked it it would be a political event. Assured that it wouldn’t and that the speakers would come from all parties and none, he happily came on board and from there grew life-long friendships.

The links to The Ballad of Michael Collins (Tribute Cover) are:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1InHURs44uBAgGyG6ZJUpCsGLChMHQdNB/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-aHfuSXrlIOThKv8BOOATST1b-a1_Age/view?usp=sharing

Video - YouTube - https://youtu.be/QpuGI3YMCt0