About James McKenna
Lived 1933 – 2000. James McKenna was a sculptor, playwright and poet.
Sculpture of the medieval king Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill in Trim, County Meath. James McKenna (21 June 1933 – 10 October 2000) was an Irish sculptor, poet, dramatist and artist.
Early life McKenna grew up on a farm near Killincarrig, County Wicklow and attended Bray Technical School.
Career
McKenna studied at the National College of Art and Design. He was influenced by Oliver Sheppard. In 1983 he was elected to Aosdána. Writing McKenna's first play was The Scatterin (1959), about Irish emigration.
Politics He stood in the 1977 general election with the slogan "Art for the People;" he was on the ballot in Dublin Ballyfermot but only managed 74 votes.
Personal life McKenna lived in Geraldine Square Dublin 8, Chapelizod and Newbridge, County Kildare.
He died in 2000.
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Important facts
People in James McKenna's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped James McKenna's
Frequently asked questions
Who was James McKenna?
(1933-2000)
When was James McKenna born?
James McKenna was born in 1933.
When did James McKenna die?
James McKenna died in 2000.
What was James McKenna's occupation?
James McKenna was a sculptor, playwright and poet.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: James McKenna (artist)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James McKenna. https://biography.guide/james-mckenna/
MLA: "James McKenna." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-mckenna/.
Chicago: "James McKenna." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-mckenna/.
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