Alderman Thomas Kelly

Artist Sarah Cecilia Harrison (1863 - 1941)

Date1925

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions66.6 × 53.3 cm

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineCollection & image © Hugh Lane Gallery. Donated by Sarah Cecilia Harrison (the Artist), 1926.

Object number609

DescriptionAlderman Tom Kelly was Sinn Féin’s senior representative on Dublin Corporation in 1913 and was popular with colleagues of all parties. As Chairman of the city’s library committee he had proposed renting Clonmell House in Harcourt Street as a temporary residence for the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art. The Gallery was still located there in 1913 while the debate took place on building a dedicated gallery for Hugh Lane’s collection. While Kelly supported the gallery project he was unhappy at the idea of Sir Edwin Lutyens, a British architect, designing it rather than the commission being given to an Irish architect. Throughout his political career Kelly sought to improve the living conditions of his fellow Dubliners and to seek access to education for all. In 1920, a union rules conference was held in the Council Chamber at City Hall, courtesy of Tom Kelly. Allowing the union to use the Dublin Corporation Council Chamber was a significant acknowledgement of its legitimacy by the Nationalist independence movement.

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