*Members of PJ Kelly’s family gather beside the new memorial in his honour. Photograph: John Sheridan.
LISSYCASEY honoured the late PJ Kelly with the unveiling of a statue in his memory.
Designed by Kilnamona sculptor Michael McTigue, the commemorative plaque was officially unveiled on Saturday evening at the entrance to the local playground in an event attended by family and friends of the former county councillor.
PJ is only one of three politicians in Ireland to have spent over fifty years on a County Council. He was Clare’s longest-ever serving politician at the time of his retirement in June of last year, he died suddenly but peaceful last September.
An expert in the field of planning, PJ was first elected to Clare County Council in 1974, he prevailed in a total of nine elections, during this time he saw thirteen different colleagues in parishes surrounding him lost their seat. He served alongside a total of 709 elected members of Clare County Council. He declined offers on several occasions to run for Dáil Éireann, his uncle Seán T Ó Cheallaigh was a former TD.
In July, the grounds of Lissycasey GAA were renamed Páirc na Muintire in honour of PJ who was the club’s first secretary. He played with the club during his time as secretary in the 1960s. He was chairman of the club’s development committee throughout the seventies and spearheaded the drive to purchase and develop the pitch which was officially opened in July 1982.
Among those present at Saturday’s event were PJ’s wife Maura, his son Barry John, daughter Aoife, his siblings Loretta, Artie and Seamus, grandchildren Saibh, Eva, Roise, Iarla, Odhran and Laura. PJ’s daughter Alma was unable to attend.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) addressed the gathering as did PJ’s brother in law and former Mayor of Clare, Christy Curtin and Mary Daly Chairperson of the Lissycasey Historic Committee. Political figures present were Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF), Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF), Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) and Cllr Mary Howard (FG).
During his speech, Cllr Murphy recalled first meeting PJ when he was co-opted to the Council in 2007 in what coincided as Flan Garvey’s (FF) final meeting as Mayor which was held in Inagh National School, where they spoke about PJ’s brother Gerry working with Golden Vale, “Gerry was every bit as good of a storyteller as PJ”, his in-laws the Barry family of Magowna.
“PJ was a great man to impart advice and knowledge but he would never try to swing you either way, he did what he thought was right, he was very good to physically offer help and was over with me in Barntick divining water,” Cllr Murphy said. He spoke of his expertise on planning, his humour and his ability to craft one-liners.
(All photographs by John Sheridan).
