288 Obituary—Mr. Joseph O Kelly. 
O33 Bes WeASE Ns. 
JOSEPH O’KELLY, M.A., M.R.I.A., ETC. 
Joseph O’Kelly died at his residence, 72, Eccles Street, Dublin, on 
April 18th. He was born in Dublin in 1832, being the second son 
of Matthias Joseph O’Kelly, who was well known as an ardent 
supporter of Natural History when few thought anything about it; 
his private collection of shells being one of the best then in existence. 
Joseph O’Kelly matriculated in Trinity College, Dublin, in 1852, 
from which he also obtained a Diploma in Engineering, and after 
spending a few years with Sir R. Griffith, Bart., engaged on the 
General Valuation of Ireland, he joined the Irish branch of H. M. 
Geological Survey, 1854, Sir H. de la Beche being Director-General, 
and Prof. J. Beete Jukes Local Director. In the publications of that 
service his name appears in many of the memoirs and maps; his more 
important work being the examination of the Cork Rocks. He was sub- 
sequently selected by Jukes to visit with him and examine the rocks | 
of Devonshire and Cornwall; the Igneous Rocks of Limerick, and the 
Coal-fields of the Queen’s County and Tipperary. The Tipperary 
Coal-field was examined most minutely, and he made some important 
discoveries therein, while his Memoir is very exhaustive and most 
trustworthy, and forms a lasting record of his energy and research. 
This work was carried out with his then colleagues, Messrs. A. B. 
Wynne and G. H. Kinahan, who were present while every bed in 
this great and important section was examined and measured ; 
furthermore, the continuous surface section, which was also carefully 
examined by Jukes, proves the accuracy of their under-ground work. 
It was during the progress of this work that O’Kelly contracted the 
ill-health he subsequently suffered from; on account of the exposure 
and hardships he had to endure, often living for weeks in houses 
very little better than sheds, into which the wind and rain freely 
entered. His last regular work in the field was in the Co. Galway, 
after which he was transferred to Dublin, on the retirement of Mr. 
John Kelly, to occupy the post of Secretary, which he held till 
the time of his death. On this account of late years his name does 
not often appear in the Survey publications, but at the same time 
his great knowledge of Irish geology was surpassed by few. His 
affability, honesty, and straightforwardness made him a favourite 
with all, and a dear and trusted friend of many. He was only in 
his 51st year, and might reasonably have hoped to have lived longer, 
had not his constitution been impaired by his previous field-work, 
having since then been subject to attacks of acute bronchitis, one of 
which in the end suddenly carried him off. He had served 30 years 
as an officer of the Irish branch of the Geological Survey. 
