Oisín Kelly facts for kids

Two Working Men in Cork (1969)

Statue of James Larkin on O'Connell Street (1977)

Oisín Kelly (born Austin Kelly) was a famous Irish sculptor. He was born on May 17, 1915, and passed away on October 12, 1981. Kelly is known for creating many important public statues and artworks across Ireland.

The Life of Oisín Kelly

Oisín Kelly was born in Dublin, Ireland. His father, William Kelly, was the principal of a school. Oisín studied different languages at Trinity College, Dublin.

Before becoming a full-time artist, he worked as a teacher. From 1943 to 1964, he taught art, English, Irish, and French at St Columba's College, Dublin. He also took night classes at the National College of Art and Design. For a short time in 1948–1949, he even studied with the famous sculptor Henry Moore.

In 1966, Oisín Kelly became an artist-in-residence at the Kilkenny Design Centre. This allowed him to focus more on his art.

Famous Sculptures and Artworks

Oisín Kelly first focused on creating small carvings from wood. Many of his early works were made for Roman Catholic churches.

He became very well-known after creating The Children of Lir in 1964. This sculpture was made for Dublin's Garden of Remembrance. The garden opened in 1966 to mark 50 years since the Easter Rising.

After this, he received many more requests for public artworks. Some of his most famous pieces include:

• The Children of Lir (1964): This beautiful sculpture is in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin.
• Two Working Men (1969): You can see this sculpture near County Hall in Cork.
• Roger Casement (1971): This statue is located at Banna Strand in County Kerry.
• Jim Larkin (1977): This important statue of the labor leader James Larkin stands on O'Connell Street in Dublin.
• Chariot of Life (1982): This artwork is at the Irish Life Centre on Lower Abbey Street in Dublin.

Oisín Kelly's sculptures are an important part of Ireland's public art and history.

See also

• List of public art in Dublin
• List of public art in Cork city