Meet Liam Kelly, author of the recently published “Memoirs of a Belfast Boy”, a vivid recounting of life in 1974 Belfast. Describing himself as loving, protective, and funny, Kelly’s journey is a testament to resilience and transformation.

At eight, a car accident left him in a three-month coma, erasing his memories—a profound challenge for anyone, let alone a child. Later, during a prison sentence, he encountered Pamela Brown, a Writer-in-Residence with the Prison Arts Foundation, who introduced him to creative writing. This mentorship became a turning point, unlocking a new path and purpose. 

The loss of his beloved wife, Denise, seven years ago led to a mental breakdown, yet Kelly found solace in writing. His literary endeavors have not only been therapeutic but also a means to connect with others. Currently, as well as his poetry, he’s collaborating with Brown and former inmate Stephen Greer on a play ‘Waiting on Wings” an insightful and comedic exploration of Prison Life tackling issues like drug addiction and suicide, with aspirations to tour the UK and USA.

An amusing anecdote from his memoir involves his mother telling him as a boy that the metal plate in his skull from the accident was made from St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s melted bell—a tale he proudly shared until age 13, when he discovered otherwise. Pure scundered!

Kelly’s advice is simple yet profound: “Love one another.” He hopes for eternal peace in Belfast, envisioning a community where all can “live and let live.”

His story exemplifies the transformative power of the arts and the enduring human spirit.