Theories exist as to the origin, for example from James Whitcomb Riley 's poems in the 1880s depicting the comforts of a prosperous home life, but it could have an Irish origin: After the Reilly clan consolidated its hold on County Cavan, they minted their own money, which was accepted as legal tender even in England. These coins, called "O'Reillys '' and "Reillys, '' became synonymous with a monied person, and a gentleman freely spending was therefore "living on his Reillys. ''
where does the expression living the life of riley come from
comforts of a prosperous home life gentleman freely spending