ABSTRACT
Born in 1915, Kelly 'greatly influenced design in Ireland' through his work as artist-in-residence at the Kilkenny Design Workshops, where he completed many iconic works. His Children of Lir sculpture was specifically dedicated in memory of all those who had fought and died for Ireland. After Eamon de Valera laid a wreath at it, the 'Last Post' was sounded and the National Flag was then hoisted to full mast. When Lynch served again as Taoiseach from 1977-1979, both his statesmanship and his attitude towards the legacy of 1916 continued to be tested by the delicate state of affairs in Northern Ireland. As preparations gathered pace in Dublin for the impending centenary commemoration of Patrick Pearse's birth, a source of worry to unflagging constitutionalists was the willingness of elements of the Irish population to articulate admiration for the Provisional IRA's motivations.
