Tomorrow, July 22, 2026, the City of Atlanta and the Irish-American community will gather for a significant celebration to honor a true hero, Father Thomas O’Reilly. Known as the “Phoenix of Atlanta,” Father O’Reilly’s selfless actions during the Civil War left a lasting mark on the city that is finally being commemorated with a city-wide rolling ceremony.

A Legacy of Courage

Born in 1831 in Drumgora, County Cavan, Ireland, Thomas O’Reilly was a graduate of All Hallows seminary in Dublin. After arriving in Savannah and serving during a yellow fever epidemic, he became the pastor at the Immaculate Conception, Atlanta’s first Catholic Church, in 1861.

His place in history was cemented in 1864 during the Civil War. When General William T. Sherman’s Union Army laid siege to Atlanta and prepared to burn the city to the ground, Father O’Reilly took a stand. Risking his own survival, he protested that the burning of homes and churches would be a “sin against God.” His defiance was successful; he saved five denominational churches—Immaculate Conception, St. Philip’s Episcopal, Trinity Methodist, Second Baptist, and Central Presbyterian—along with the City Hall, the Courthouse, and approximately 400 surrounding homes.

Father Thomas O’Reilly Day: July 22, 2026

Tomorrow’s events, hosted by Irish America 250 (IA250) in partnership with the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta (HBSA), the AOH, and the Consulate General of Ireland, will feature a “rolling caravan” ceremony to unveil dedicated memorial plaques at four historic locations across Atlanta.

• 2:00 PM: Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
  The ceremony begins with welcomes, Irish music, and the unveiling of a memorial plaque at the site where Father O’Reilly is buried.
• 2:45 PM: Oakland Cemetery (Hibernian Plot)
  The caravan moves to the Hibernian Plot for a ceremony of remembrance and plaque unveiling.
• 4:00 PM: Mary Our Queen Catholic Church
  This stop includes community recognition and the unveiling of a plaque where Father O’Reilly’s vestments are kept.
• 6:00 PM: Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House
  The day concludes in Sandy Springs with closing remarks, a celebratory reception, and an unveiling of the final plaque.1

The Green Plaque Initiative

This commemoration is part of a broader initiative by Irish America 250 to honor unsung Irish American heroes of the last 250 years through the “Green Plaque Award” program. These plaques, cast to recognize enduring contributions to local communities, serve as a tangible reminder of the often-overlooked Irish influence on American history. 

The specific plaques being unveiled tomorrow serve as a fitting tribute to Father O’Reilly, ensuring that the man who helped the city rise from the ashes remains an integral part of its story.

The Irish America 250 Committee thanks our committee member Jim Gaffey for his fantastic leadership in organizing the day and ensuring that Father O’Reilly will be long remembered.