He’s happy to be back in his native county for the special anniversary, but reveals that often his work can be very demanding.

Mgr O’Reilly is the parish priest at St Michael’s Parish, and he will mark his 40th anniversary on June 15th and 16th during the main Masses. 

He was ordained in St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan, on June 17th 1979 and throughout his career as a priest, he has held many roles including working as a curate in Carrickmacross and Clogher.

In 1999, he worked with the Irish Bishops Conferences a writer and production manager for primary and post-primary religious education programmes, but in 2006, he made his way back to his native Fermanagh as he became parish priest in Roslea.

“It was different to be in a cross-border parish, with a church in Roslea and a church in Smithboro, with two different currencies, with two different education systems, with two different civil requirements for getting married,” said Mgr O’Reilly.

Mgr O’Reilly was made parish priest in Enniskillen in September 2010 and was recently appointed as Vicar General, which gives him added responsibilities in an advisory and representative role at diocesan level and earned him the Monsignor title.

Speaking about Enniskillen, he explained ‘the work in a parish of this size is demanding.’

Mgr O’Reilly and his parish team are responsible for 40 or 50 weddings, 70 or 80 funerals, 150 baptisms, six Catholic schools between parish and diocese, a number of homes and an area hospital each year.

“All of this is done at a time when the number of clergy is reducing rather than increasing. There have been some tough and draining days here. 

“I’m grateful to my clergy colleagues, parish staff and teachers for all they do. I’m also grateful to the local Sisters of Mercy for their historic connection and contribution to shaping this town community.”

Recalling some of his highlights, he said he hadn’t anticipated being in the public eye so much. 

“Visits from The Queen in June 2012 and the Irish President in September 2015 were memorable town experiences, while the evening prayer service to mark the Centenary of Armistice Day in November 2018 was another moving experience. All of this was based on the level of respect and working together of the various Christian Churches in the town itself. I have to give special mention to Dean Kenny Hall for the energy he puts into community relations.”

Mgr O’Reilly concluded, “So 40 years on, I’m back in Fermanagh and happy to be here. I will continue to do my best to answer God’s call. Priests are as needed as ever. We see the joys and the sufferings and sorrows of life and to them all we can bring that special sense that God is near. I’m grateful to be marking this special anniversary back at the heart of my native county.”