A recent trip to Atlanta provided an opportunity to meet Father Thomas O’Reilly – figuratively, of course, – since Father Tom passed away back in 1872. Yet, as recently as March 2007 he was honored with the City of Atlanta’s Phoenix Award in appreciation of his heroism and outstanding contributions to the City and citizens of Atlanta. It simply just begged the question: who was this remarkable man? Born in Drumgora, Co. Cavan, in 1831, Thomas O’Reilly graduated All Hallows seminary in Dublin and was sent to the American south as a missionary priest in the area of Atlanta where Masses were … [Read more...] about Father Tom O'Reilly