O'Connell's works were displayed at the Biennale de Paris (1982) and the São Paulo Art Biennial (1985).
[8] The large rusted steel sculpture drew protest, concerns of safety, an attempt to deinstall it, and criticism of its appearance.
Eventually, the rusty metal was painted, a water feature was added, and barriers were placed around it without O'Connell's permission.
[7] In artist Sean Lynch's 2011 show, A Rocky Road, at the Crawford Art Gallery, he investigated the legacy of O'Connell's Great Wall of Kinsale.
[10] O'Connell's work is in the collections of IMMA, Lismore Castle, Cass Sculpture Foundation, Chatsworth, Antony House and more.