It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Beatrice Kelly, formerly Head of Policy and Research at the Heritage Council.
Beatrice joined the Heritage Council in 1995 as one of its first employees. From those very early days, she became part of the story of the organisation itself. Initially based in Mespil Road, Dublin, she was among the small pioneering team who helped to shape the Heritage Council in its formative years.
She was also part of the group who made the move from Mespil Road to Rothe House in Kilkenny, the Heritage Council’s first home in the city, and later to Áras na hOidhreachta, our headquarters in the historic surroundings of St Canice’s Cathedral Close. In so many ways, Beatrice’s own journey reflected the growth and development of the Heritage Council over almost three decades.
Over 28 years at the Heritage Council, Beatrice made an extraordinary contribution across the full spectrum of cultural and natural heritage, public policy and community development in Ireland and at European level.
But titles and roles only tell part of Beatrice’s story.
At the heart of everything she did was a deep and enduring love of heritage and a profound belief in the importance of protecting it for future generations. Beatrice brought great conviction to her work. She believed in asking difficult questions, in challenging assumptions and in holding firmly to what she believed was right.
Those who worked with Beatrice will remember her generosity in sharing her knowledge and the seriousness with which she approached the responsibilities attached to her work. She encouraged others to think more deeply, to be courageous in their work and never to lose sight of why heritage matters.
Her legacy is woven into the Heritage Council itself. Much of what the organisation has become was shaped by people like Beatrice, who gave so much of themselves to building it from its earliest days. Her contribution was not simply measured in policies, programmes or reports, but in the values she championed and in the people she influenced along the way.
Our thoughts are with Beatrice’s family at this very sad time, especially her husband Niall; her daughter Alice; her parents, Margaret and Patrick; and her brothers, Ed and James.
Beatrice will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
Níl sa saol ach gaoth agus toit