Liam Kelly: Tributes paid to former Larne councillor and respected local historian

Mr Kelly passed away in hospital on July 29.

The local man was elected to what was then Larne Borough Council as an alderman for the Alliance Party in 1985.

He served for a time as Deputy Mayor, following in the footsteps of his father, Billy Kelly who had previously held the same role.

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson said he had fond memories of working alongside Mr Kelly and his father Billy before him. "They are a very well-respected family, very civic-minded," he said.

"Both Liam and his father Billy flew the flag for the Alliance Party through some very dark times in terms of The Troubles and made a great contribution to civic life in Larne."

Among Mr Kelly's other civic roles were as a Justice of the Peace, as well as Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim.

Appointed in 1996, he served in the post until June 2020.

A respected historian, he was the chairman of the Ulster American Committee in Larne and oversaw a wide range of activities, which included erection of the Ulster American Memorial at Curran Park, a heritage trail, and an American Week.

He served on the Historical Centre committee, whose projects included plaques in honour of locals and restoration of the grave of Henry McNeill, pioneer of tourism in Northern Ireland.

He was also involved in Larne's twinning project with Clover, South Carolina, visiting the city on a number of occasions.

His support for the community in Ballycarry saw him made a Clan Chieftain of the Broadisland Gathering in 2004.

Paying tribute to Mr Kelly, author, historian and broadcaster Dr David Hume said: "He was a man who always had a reflection or a story, and a great wealth of historical knowledge from the Larne of bygone times. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and respected him."

In a social media post, Larne Museum and Arts Centre remembered Mr Kelly’s invaluable support through the years: “Liam had been President of Larne and District Folklore Society, which was formed in 1968.

"He was also a member of Larne and District Historical Centre Committee which was formed in 1971 to further the aim of developing a local museum in the town.

"When the Centre, now Larne Museum and Arts Centre, was handed over to the care of Larne Borough Council in 2003, the Committee became Larne and District Historical Society. Although the Society no longer exists, Larne Museum staff are grateful for the continued support of its former members.

"Liam continued to support the museum by providing talks, assisting in historical walks and supporting various events and exhibitions.”

A funeral notice remembers Mr Kelly as the devoted son of the late Billy and Maureen Kelly, dearly loved husband to Anne, and loving dad to Pamela, Liam, Gillian, Denise and Helen.

He was father in law to Colin, Angeline, Gary and Colin; grandfather to Stephen, Iain, Katie, Alex, Christopher, Eliza, Jack, Ben and Ciara, and great grandfather to Billy and Georgia, as well as a a dear brother to Doreen, Kevin, Fiona and Ronan.