JANUARY
“Grinding” (meaning unknown) – Peter O’Reilly attends dinners, concerts and pantomime theatre in Dublin
FEBRUARY
“Grinding” continues – examinations held – Peter goes on walks about Dublin and to dinner with acquaintances.
MARCH
No diary entries.
APRIL
Francis Ellis arrives in Dublin – Peter and Francis attend court martial at Royal Barracks, go to Queen’s Theatre and Punchestown horse races – Peter rides and exercises horses, takes Rarey lessons for training and calming difficult horses.
MAY
Peter O’Reilly visits the Francis & Louisa Ellis family of Faccary House near Mountfield, Ireland – horse riding with Ellis daughter Charlotte – trains horses using Rarey techniques – visit to Royal Fusiliers headquarters – dinner with Captain Knox – band concerts in Omagh with the Ellises.
JUNE
Peter trains other horses – plays “rackets” and goes fishing – rides horses with Charlotte – visits with Mrs Ellis.
JULY
Return to Dublin – Ellises visit Peter in Dublin with daughter Charlotte and son Tommy.
AUGUST
No diary entries.
SEPTEMBER
Return to Faccary House.
OCTOBER
Hunting for grouse, hares, and snipe – Peter evaluates hunting dogs.
NOVEMBER
Hunting with friends – horse training – rides with Charlotte.
DECEMBER
Trips to Omagh with Mrs Ellis and Charlotte – exercises horses – receives “Valuable present from mistress” on Christmas Day – illness of Mrs Ellis and Charlotte.
Back to Peter O’Reilly’s 1858 Diary
Peter O’Reilly’s 1858 diary has been transcribed by volunteers and staff of the Vancouver Island Local History Society and is for informational purposes only. Researchers interested in this diary are advised to consult the original document housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, found in MS-2894, the O’Reilly family fonds.