Dear Editor,
I have just read an unsettlingly narrow and small-minded piece penned by Fintan O’Toole concerning Tony O’Reilly’s legacy (“Tony O’Reilly’s secret past shaped his need to play the life of an Ascendancy landlord”, Fintan O’Toole, Opinion and Analysis, May 21st). I am at a loss to conclude whether O’Reilly’s pursuit for success was driven by aspirations of the Anglo Ascendancy. Quite frankly, it’s irrelevant to me.
What bears importance is Tony O’Reilly’s remarkable foresight. He was the trailblazer who recognised the potential that lay within our creameries and co-ops, capable of producing the finest milk in the world. He sought to establish an internationally recognised brand, bringing substantial income to those co-ops and in turn, the farming suppliers and rural communities they supported.
Despite O’Toole possibly resonating with such visionary ideas, he seems dismissive about everyday ambitions like the ability to earn a living from dairy farming. These might not qualify as grand visions the likes of which renowned Irish leaders might have. However, the accomplishment of this vision, transforming it into reality and making it readily available worldwide, has reaped enormous benefits for this nation and its rural residents. This outweighs any fantasized notions and repurposing that we’re endlessly sold as the primary focus of our waking countryside lives.
Consider Kerrygold, the renowned brand almost solely shaped by Tony O’Reilly, and then nurtured further by his contemporaries at Bord Bainne and successors at Ornua. This brand signifies quality, heritage and instils immense pride amongst Irish farmers. The grudging addendum by Fintan O’Toole will be long forgotten before a slab of Kerrygold softens at room temperature.
With reference to O’Toole’s query about internationally successful Irish brands, various names spring to mind such as Kerry Group, CRH, Smurfit Kappa, Guinness, Kingspan, Glen Dimplex, Ryanair and Aer Lingus. Not to forget Ireland itself as a prominent brand.
Yours faithfully,
Denis Drennan
President,
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association,
Limerick.
JOHN BEAN,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.
Dear Sir, – Fintan O’Toole’s column relating Tony O’Reilly’s career choices and life journey to a childhood epiphany seemed more like a critique of Citizen Kane than a grounded evaluation. Could his claims not have been backed up with quotations from talks with O’Reilly himself and those acquainted with him? Trustingly,
SEAN RYAN,
Castleconnell,
Co Limerick.
Dear Sir, – Sir Anthony O’Reilly was the pioneering non-kin appointed as the chairperson of HJ Heinz. The company, under his guidance, broadened its horizons worldwide and reached a market value of $11 billion by the time he stepped down in 1998. It’s baffling that Fintan O’Toole omits this in his efforts to undermine Tony O’Reilly’s commercial reputation. His futile efforts to belittle O’Reilly’s accomplishments with Bord Bainne, which led to his recruitment by Heinz, as “putting a glamourous cover on a block of butter” were unduly vitriolic.
Regrettably, the offensive references didn’t stop there. The notion that O’Reilly’s ambition in sports and trade was a product of his parents’ marital state, which frankly has no relevance, was further suggested. The driving force in sports and trade is success, and O’Reilly was certainly no stranger to that in both areas. Of course, your column writer fails to comment on O’Reilly’s generous givings, which include the Ireland Fund.
Tony O’Reilly was the first Irish tradesman to gain global notoriety and served as a beacon to those that tread in his footsteps. Trustingly,
MICHAEL GANNON,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Dear Sir, – It seems we’ve read about the notable innovation not apparent in O’Reilly’s career as a leading capitalist of our nation. Oddly enough, we previously referred to O’Reilly as a marketing virtuoso who transformed an epitome of old Ireland into a golden piece of merchandise. I ponder over the definition of innovation that Fintan O’Toole has in mind. Kerrygold presents itself as an exemplary illustration of innovation that has survived the test of decades and inspired numerous brands worldwide. This iconic brand has its presence in virtually every supermarket on the globe, and yet, if this doesn’t satisfy the criteria for innovation, I’m curious to comprehend your writer’s version of it? O’Reilly surely counts as one of our most remarkable innovators.
He distinguished himself as one of our most skilled sportsmen—a courageous, diligent entrepreneur who readily undertook risks. O’Reilly weathered the storm, climbing to the helm of HJ Heinz, boosting its growth, turning a profit, and continuously delivering value to shareholders. His endeavours towards building peace through the Ireland Funds were relentless. Defying stereotypes, he led a truly remarkable life.
Our concentration should be on those achievements. – Yours sincerely,
DAVID O’LEARY,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.