Sculptor. Born in Cork, he studied at the Dublin Society’s Schools where he won prizes in 1797 and 1800 and later worked for Henry Darley the stone-cutter. One of his earliest commissions, which appeared in 1809, was the statue of Nelson for the Pillar in O’Connell Street, Dublin. This monument was destroyed by an explosion on March 8, 1966. He was destined to execute several such lofty heroes for monuments throughout the country, and became one of the most important Irish sculptors working in Ireland in the first half of the 19th century. He also executed numerous fine memorials in churches and institutions throughout the country, most of which are on a fairly modest scale. He created the model from which was later cast the famous “Metal Man” that warns mariners of the dangerous entry to Tramore Bay, Co Waterford. Another of Kirk’s commissions was the statue, in Limerick City, of Thomas Spring Rice, a former MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer.  (bio by: Frank Duffin)