Dublin City Honours Music Legend Luke Kelly

Organised by Dublin City Council, the official unveiling of both sculptures will be undertaken by President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring.

From the streets of north Dublin to stages all over the world, Luke Kelly built his career on his ability to connect with the Irish people through story and song. Luke’s impact on the Dublin and Irish music scene revival of the 60s/70s is immense and inspiring a new generation since his death, his voice is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.

Speaking on behalf of organisers Dublin City Council, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring said “Luke’s presence is still felt on the streets of his birthplace Sheriff St and the pubs and haunts of the literati circles around Grafton St/Baggot St where he frequented. This is a unique celebration for a very unique man. To this day he inspires Irish and international artists through his words, songs and activism. It is only fitting that we celebrate the man, the music and his immeasurable impact on the Irish music scene and wider Irish culture. ”

The first sculpture was created by one of Ireland's most prominent figurative sculptors, John Coll, who has also created the city’s Patrick Kavanagh and Brendan Behan statues. Due to be unveiled at 2pm on 30th January 2019, it features a life-size bronze, seated Luke Kelly singing and playing the banjo and was donated to the city by the late Gerry Hunt and will be located on South King St. The second sculpture, a marble portrait head of Luke Kelly, created by award-winning portrait artist Vera Klute, will be unveiled at 3.30pm on Royal Canal, Guild St/Sheriff St. Vera’s piece, which was commissioned by Dublin City Council, is over two metres high and was unanimously selected as the winner of a limited competition established by the then Lord Mayor, Christy Burke in 2014.

Family friend and author of Luke Kelly A Memoir, Des Geraghty said “The voice of Luke Kelly rang out loud and clear in the early 1960s to lift up the heart and soul of a dismal Dublin city. He captured the latent spirit of the Irish people and gave new hope and inspiration to the poor and oppressed in many a distant land. Like Joe Hill, the great American Union organiser and folk singer, his voice and passion for justice and liberty will never die.”

Plans are also in advanced stages within Dublin City Council to host a concert in Liberty Hall Dublin on the evening of 30th January 2019 to celebrate the unveiling of the two statues and to celebrate Luke’s contribution to the Dublin and Irish music scene. Leagues O’Toole from Aiken Promotions has been appointed Director of the concert that will feature Ireland’s best-loved singers and musicians whose lives have been influenced by the life and music of Kelly and the Dubliners. The full line up and ticket sales website are due to be announced closer to the time.