“ O'Leary, who was a skilled amateur photographer.
In the autumn of 1917 he had the floor of the ruined Church. Ballynowlart, excavated in order to test the value of a tradition which he had heard when a young priest to the effect that, some centuries back, the Church had been set on fire by a squad of the English soldiers, during the celebration of Mass, and the congregation immolated in the flames. ”

“ In his boyhood he acquired a taste for sketching and the study of architecture. This taste remained a passion with him throughout life. In all that pertained to he fabrique of churches, schools, and parochial edifices, Father O'Leary was a competent and widely acknowledged authority. The improvements in the churches and schools in the parish of Balyna; the extension of the Church in Portarlington, the enlargement, remodelling and equipment of the Convent Schools there ”

“ In 1879 he was sent as C.C. to Rathangan, where he remained for the next seven years, In 1886 Father Tracy, P.P., Ballyna, owing to age and failing health, resigned his pastoral charge, and was succeeded by Father O'Leary. On the death of Father R. Bourke, P.P., Portarlington, in June, 1903, the Most Rev. Dr. Foley appointed Father O'Leary his successor. In the space at our disposal it would be impossible to do justice to Father O'Leary's manifold activities during his 56 years of priestly life. ”

“ The Requiem Office and Mass for the repose of the soul of Father O'Leary were celebrated in St. Michael's Church, Portarlington, on Thursday, 16th inst., at 11 a.m. The Most Rev. Dr. Foley, P.P., Lord Bishop of the Diocese, presided. ”

“ But the authentic exploits of the English Club. soldiers under a Mountjoy, as given us by Fynes Mouson and gain, forty years later, under Parson, and Borlas, as given us in Carte's Life of Ormonde, prove beyond doubt that the tradition is not devoid of probability. This tradition interested Fr. O'Leary to the end. ”