Liam Kelly, a former councillor and long-serving historian in Larne, County Antrim, died in hospital on July 29, 2020.

He was first elected to Larne Borough Council as an Alliance Party alderman in 1985 and later held the post of Deputy Mayor. His father, Billy Kelly, had also served as Deputy Mayor.

East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said Mr Kelly and his father made significant contributions to civic life in Larne during difficult periods.

Beyond politics, Mr Kelly held several public appointments. He was a Justice of the Peace and served as Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim from his appointment in 1996 until June 2020.

As chairman of the Ulster American Committee in Larne, he oversaw the erection of the Ulster American Memorial at Curran Park, the creation of a heritage trail, and an American Week event. He was also a member of the Historical Centre committee, which installed commemorative plaques and restored the grave of Henry McNeill, an early figure in Northern Ireland tourism.

His historical work extended to Larne’s twinning partnership with Clover, South Carolina, and he visited that city several times. In 2004, his community support in Ballycarry was recognised when he was named a Clan Chieftain of the Broadisland Gathering.

Author and historian Dr David Hume described Mr Kelly as a man of deep local knowledge, always ready with a reflection or story from Larne’s past.

Larne Museum and Arts Centre noted his presidency of the Larne and District Folklore Society, formed in 1968, and his membership of the Larne and District Historical Centre Committee, established in 1971. After the committee transferred to council care in 2003 and became Larne and District Historical Society, Mr Kelly continued to assist the museum with talks, historical walks, and exhibitions.

Mr Kelly’s funeral mass will take place at St MacNissi’s Church, Larne, on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at 11am.