The European Society of Radiology (ESR) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Prof. Barry E. Kelly, a highly respected Irish radiologist and former Chair of the ESR Audit and Standards Subcommittee. Prof. Kelly passed away on June 23, 2025.
Prof. Kelly served as Dean of the Faculty of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2012–2014), and was a Consultant Radiologist in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. He was past president of the Ulster Radiological Society, Honorary Reader in Radiology at Queen’s University Belfast, and Professor in Radiology at the University of Ulster.
As Chair of the ESR Audit and Standards Subcommittee from 2016 to 2018, he played a central role in advancing radiological audit in Europe. Under his leadership, the ESR Audit Handbook and the first edition of Esperanto were published, both instrumental in supporting professional standards. He also contributed to the design, implementation, and examination of the European Diploma in Radiology (EDiR), the pan-European metric for professional excellence.
A passionate educator and advocate for professional wellbeing, Prof. Kelly was widely admired for his intellect, generosity, and wit. Beyond radiology, his interests and knowledge were wide. He completed a Masters degree in Philosophy in recent years, lectured widely on the interactions between philosophy, medical practice and radiology, and published extensively both within the radiology world and in broader domains (his inaugural collection of short stories was published earlier this year). His contributions to the ESR and to European radiology will be remembered with deep appreciation.
The ESR extends its sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam (May his soul be placed at the right hand of God).
