Leading Irish Human Rights Lawyer, Brendan Kilty SC was born in Cork in 1957 and
moved to Dublin where he began his tertiary studies. He qualified as a quantity surveyor
from the Dublin Institute of Technology, read Law in Trinity College and the Hon. Society
of King’s Inns. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1982 and the English Bar (Lincoln’s Inns)
in 1985. He took silk in Dublin in 2003. He divides his practice between the high value
commercial and international arbitration cases and pro bono human rights work. He has
just celebrated 25 years since beginning Law.

He has often been outspoken on his belief that Australians deserve and should fight for a
Bill of Rights. In August 2005, during a visit to Australia he challenged the people to adopt
a Bill of Rights. Australians still live their lives without their rights being enshrined in
legislation. On accepting the invitation to be our International Legal Patron for Crime &
Justice: a festival of literary offerings and judicial debate, Brendan Kilty said it was both an
honour, and a recognition of his deep interest in Australia borne of the many visits and
official engagements he has undertaken.

As well as his passion for human rights, Brendan Kilty is passionate about Irish history and
literary heritage; in particular, Joyce’s Dublin as depicted in the many works of James
Joyce. As a student at Trinity he would wander the streets of the city passing the buildings
associated with possibly Ireland’s most famous author.

In November 1998 Kilty heard of the demolition of James Joyce’s childhood home in
Dublin. Two years later Brendan Kilty purchased the house at 15 Usher’s Island, the home
that was the setting for the Joyce short story, The Dead. James Joyce would celebrate
Christmas at 15 Usher’s Island, the home of his great aunts. The house was earmarked for
demolition and it was in a sorry state of disrepair when Brendan Kilty bought it from a
developer. After more than three years 15 Usher’s Island is now restored to its former
glory. Once again the dining room and drawing room are the venue for soirees, musical
evenings and literary discussions. It was the setting for the launch of the European
Campaign for a Bill of Rights for Australia in 2006.

Brendan Kilty SC is The Crime & Justice Festival’s International Legal Patron.

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