Richard Rahilly

Richard Rahilly (1839–1896), was a grocer, entrepreneur, justice of the peace and nationalist public representative in Ballylongford, Co, Kerry, in the latter part of the 19th century.

At a nationalist meeting in 1877 in Ballylongford, he seconded a vote of confidence in the nationalist MP, Rowland Ponsonby Blennerhassett.[1] He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1890[2] and was a member of the Board of Guardians of Listowel Poor Law Union.

As a grocer[3] and entrepreneur he was innovative and was said to be the first person in Ireland with a domestic fridge,[4] as well as to have had the first cash register in Munster.[5] He was involved in setting up Listowel creamery co-operative,[6] now part of Kerry Group,

He was father of the revolutionary leader The O'Rahilly and of the republican activists Nell Humphreys[7] and Anno O'Rahilly.

He died as a result of pneumonia contracted when cycling home to Ballylongford in torrential rain from a meeting of Listowel Board of Guardians in March 1896.[8]

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