James McKenna, Sculptor and creator of the GM Hopkins monument in Monasterevin

James McKenna died on October 10, 2000. Visitors to the Hopkins Summer School since its inception in 1987 were privileged, like all of us, to have known James, his compassion, his creative energy, his great sense of humour.

We have added clippings from the newspapers recording his passing
(See also the Hopkins Society tribute to James

One of the foremost Irish figurative sculptors of the 20th century, he is best known for several public and private commissions, including his large limestone monument Resurgence at the University of Limerick and Female Figure and Tree at the Central Bank in Sandyford. The Chairman of the Arts Council, Mr Patrick Murphy, described him as `one of the most talented artists of his generation . . . a Renaissance man in the true sense.' McKenna was born in Dublin and grew up in Co. Wicklow. From Bray Technical School he went to the National College of Art and Design, gaining a diploma in sculpture in 1995. He quickly established himself as an energetic presence on the art scene in Dubln, exhibiting with the Irish Exhibition of Living Art. He was one of the founder members of the Independent Artists group. His play, The Scatterin', was a success at the Dublin Theatre Festival in 1960.