About Orna O'Reilly

Orna qualified in Interior Design in the eighties. She moved from Ireland to South Africa in 1987 where she opened her own business. After further qualifications, which included a Higher Diploma (1991) and an Advanced Diploma (1993) in Interior Design, Orna was accepted as a Full member of South African Guild of Interior Designers (S.A.G.I.D.). Orna returned to Ireland in 2000.

Orna extended her business to Mozambique in 1992, after the civil war, when she made her name refurbishing the beautiful, old Portuguese houses in Maputo. She became involved in many fascinating projects which included working on the residences and office suites of several Ambassadors and the directors of aid agencies; houses and apartments for the directors of Banco de Moçambique and Standard Totta Bank; the Hotel Cardoso and the Tribunal Administrivo. Projects in South Africa included: office suites and private residences for Premier Matthews Phosa of Mpumalanga and other government ministers; restaurants; a hairdressing salon; a golf club; several hotels and guest lodges and numerous private homes.

Galway, Ireland. 2000 – 2009

2000 – 2001: showhouse at The Parklands, Clarenbridge, plus design, refurbishment and decoration of the departure lounge and bar at Galway Airport; large pub/restaurant near Ballinasloe; full interior design of large furniture showroom in Galway. Several private residences. Began writing for glossy magazine Upstairs Downstairs.

2002: guest appearance as designer on “Beyond the Hall Door” on RTE; several private residences were completed.

2003: executive office suite; a Bord Failte approved B&B; various residential properties. Several kitchens were also designed and completed. In August 2003, opened a fabric showroom in the Old Stonehouse, Clarenbridge, Co. Galway.

2004: large forties house design and restoration in Salthill; a country hotel; a bathroom showroom; several kitchens; a restaurant conversion; many new homes completed.

2005: designed and decorated the interiors of eight luxury homes in Clonbur, Co. Galway . A luxury Georgian-style house was taken from planning to completion in the Athenry area and work commenced on an ultra modern home in Spanish Point (completed August 2006), as well as a four storey house in Salthill (completed July 2006) and several others in the Clare/Galway area.

As well as her interior design business, Orna has written and designed a correspondence course which has been up and running since 2005. This course was launched in February 2005. See www.idai.ie. This course is approved by the ODLQC – see www.odlqc.org - as a recognised correspondence course.

2006: highly successful completion of the luxury showhouse at Dunguaire Haven, Kinvara and the renovation and redecoration of the famous Pier Head Restaurant in Kinvara, Co. Galway.

2006 also saw Orna’s acceptance as a full designer member of the British Interior Design Association (BIDA) www.bida.org

2007: completed twelve further houses at Dunguaire. This development is named Cuan an Oir, and the luxury showhouse was launched in July 2007. July 2007 also saw the refurbishment of the famous Paddy Burkes Oyster Inn in Clarenbridge and the design of its new Sports Bar.

2008: work commenced on the interior design and finishes for a new twenty-four house development in Kinvara called Bothar na Mias. Several luxury private homes between Westport; Ennis and Roundstone were successfully completed.

2009: the first houses in the twenty-four house development, Bothar na Mias, have now been occupied and the project is complete. A beautiful cottage has been successfully renovated on the Burren. See www.dolmencottage.com A lovely family home in Balindereen was also completed and was featured in the Christmas edition of Upstairs Downstairs magazine. Orna commenced work on houses in Athenry, Ennis and Barna, plus a large Medical Centre in Co.Galway. A large thrust of the business is now geared towards home conversions large and small, as well as the many luxury new builds, which have been the main staple of the design practice over the past ten years.

2010; this year has begun with several projects underway, including new houses in Oranmore, Ennis, Athenry and Barna, with refurbishments ongoing in Loughrea and Sligo. The medical centre has opened its doors on 1st March, exactly on schedule - see the new photos on the commercial area of this website taken by Alan Lambe of www.alanlambephotography.com

Orna is a full designer-member of the British Interior Design Association (BIDA). www.bida.org

Other related links: Kate O'Reilly Photography; Tara's Garden Designs