Sir, - Micheline Walsh, in her Spanish Knights of Irish Origin, Vol. IV, provides genealogical information on General Alexander O'Reilly, after whom Havana's Calle O'Reilly is named (see correspondence from R. Buckley, May 29th; Vincent Morley, June 2nd; John E. O'Reilly, June 19th).
O'Reilly was baptised in Moylagh or Moylough, Co Meath, in October 1723. He appears to have come from a Catholic gentry background and was distantly related to the Plunkets of Dunsany and the Earls of Kildare. He enrolled in the Spanish army, in which two of his brothers also served, and rose rapidly in rank. He was made a Knight of Alcantara in 1765 and Count of Castile in 1771. He held a number of senior positions in the Spanish civil and military administration including Lieutenant-General and Inspector-General of Infantry, governor of Louisiana, governor of Madrid and governor and captain-general of Andalucia.
General O'Reilly was one of numerous Irishmen who followed a military profession in continental Europe in the 18th century. Unlike most of his fellow emigres, he had the good fortune to attain eminence in his career and social distinction in his new homeland. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Peter Pyne, Great James Street, Derry.