Paul O'Reilly - Writer, Singer, Musician, Lilter

Biography ...

PAUL O’REILLY is a writer, singer, musician and lilter from Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Ireland. An All-Ireland bodhrán champion, and a champion lilter, Paul released his debut album of original songs, TAKE A WISH, in 2003; and in 2007 he performed with the traditional Irish singing group WHISHT! on THE CUCKOO'S NOTE. His play, WILD IN THE COUNTRY, was shortlisted at Listowel Writers' Week in 2004, and he is currently completing his debut novel. See www.pauloreilly.com for more.

More ...

Educated in the CBS, Enniscorthy, Paul was awarded a First Class Honours Degree in Software Engineering from Carlow IT in 1994. Today, he works as a consultant software engineer for Webplify.

Inspired by his parents, Paul has always been involved in music, winning awards for singing, lilting, guitar and bodhrán. He is a noted songwriter, his songs have been commended by Christy Moore, Mick Hanly, Niall Toner, Luka Bloom and Kieran Goss.

After seeing Andy Doyle's 'Something About Roses', Martin McDonagh's 'The Lonesome West', and Billy Roche's 'Belfry', Paul wrote his first play in 2002. In 2004 he began writing fiction. He has regularly attended workshops facilitated by Claire Keegan, Billy Roche, Darragh Carville, Mike Hanrahan, Pierce Turner, Martin Egan and Jim Maguire.

Paul is secretary to the writers' support group, Enniscorthy Launchpad, and has been involved in organising workshops and, with the support of Wexford County Council, publications of local writing. Launchpad is a Registered Member of the County Wexford Community Forum. Paul continously facilitates the promotion of literary work via Launchpad readings, radio interviews, press releases, publications and website.

Paul is a registered member of ArtsLinks and IMRO, and a partner in Scallta Media, a new publishing initiative in County Wexford, Ireland. He also maintains The Living Voice, a website dedicated to the promotion of traditional Irish singing, and is a member of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

In June 2008, Paul performed with Whisht! in the world premiere of HARBOURING by Ian Wilson (with Fergus Sheil (conductor), Irish Chamber Orchestra, Whisht!, Enniscorthy Choral Society, Wexford Festival Singers and Gorey Choral Group).

Experience & Achievements ...

2008	Performed solo psalm (Deóra Dé/Father, Into Your Hands - composed by Sue Furlong) in St Aidan's Cathedral, Enniscorthy, for the Good Friday Passion, broadcast live on RTÉ One television Performed traditional vocal solos in the world premiere of Ian Wilson's HARBOURING on June 5th, 2008 (with Fergus Sheil (conductor), Irish Chamber Orchestra, Whisht!, Enniscorthy Choral Society, Wexford Festival Singers and Gorey Choral Group) Triple Senior County Wexford Champion (Lilting, English Singing, Newly Composed) Double Senior Leinster Champion (English Singing, Newly Composed), Runner-Up in Lilting Double Senior All-Ireland Runner-Up (Lilting, Newly Composed)
2007	Completed debut novel, AMONG MEN LIKE THIS A key member involved in the production and design of THE CUCKOO'S NOTE CD by WHISHT! Supported by The Arts Council of Ireland Coordinated and designed the Launchpad 108-page publication: THE SCALDY DETAIL 2007 (a collection of new writings from County Wexford). Supported by Wexford County Council Senior County Wexford Lilting Champion, Runner-Up in English Singing Third in Leinster English Singing and Lilting
2006	Founder member of WHISHT! and helped develop a show of traditional Irish singing Toured Newfoundland, Canada, as part of select music and singing group Completed draft 2 of debut novel
2005	Coordinated the publication of Launchpad's THE SCALDY DETAIL (a collection of new original writings). Supported by Wexford County Council Arts Department Short story THE LILTER published in Inside the Crocodile Completed draft 1 of debut novel
2004	WILD IN THE COUNTRY was shortlisted to the top 3 (out of 80 entries) in Listowel Writers' Week - Eamon Keane Full Length Play Competition Helped organise Launchpad Writers' Weekend (included workshops facilitated by Mike Hanrahan (Stockton's Wing), Philip Casey (The Bann Trilogy of novels) and Eamonn Wall (Refuge at De-Soto Bend) ). Supported by Wexford County Council Arts Department Chosen to perform CLASHING THE ASH single with Darren Byrne Wrote third play, THE BUTCHER OF FERNS Began debut novel
2003	Produced, released and promoted debut solo album TAKE A WISH. The album includes ten original compositions, and was recorded and mixed by Paul in his home studio Wrote second play, WILD IN THE COUNTRY
2002	Chosen to perform one of his compositions on PRACTICALLY EVERY DAY!, a CD produced by Wexford Arts Centre, and supported by The Arts Council Joined Enniscorthy Launchpad Wrote first play, THESE OLD WALLS
1998	Two compositions recorded on UNDERNEATH THE LIGHTS EP by Reilly's Daughter; Paul performs backing vocals, guitar and bodhrán
1991	Strawberry Fair Award - Best Performer
1990	All-Ireland Bodhrán 15-18 Champion
1989	Strawberry Fair Award - Best Group Began songwriting and learning the guitar Since '89, has performed regularly in pubs, Fleadhs, tents, doorways, inside and outside of Ireland, weddings, recitals, concerts, gigs ...