Brendan Kelly

Who is Brendan Kelly?

Brendan Kelly is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as Bishop of Achonry.

Kelly was born in Ballinakill, County Galway, to Sean and Annie Kelly, as the second of nine children. He was baptised six days after his birth, on 26 May 1946, and received Confirmation on 28 May 1957. He studied at Craughwell National School and St. Mary's College before entering St Patrick's College in Maynooth in 1964. Kelly there obtained a degree in Bachelor of Arts and in Bachelor of Divinity, later receiving his Higher Diploma in Education from University College Galway in 1973.

On 20 June 1971, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Browne, for the Diocese of Galway. Kelly was Curate in Kinvara, and then taught at Coláiste Einde and Our Lady’s College, Gort, the latter of which he was subsequently President until 1995.

Receiving a Sabbatical leave, he served as Chaplain to the L'Arche community at Cuise-la-Motte in France until 1996, whence he returned to Ireland as parish priest of Lisdoonvarna. Kelly was named Canon of the Cathedral Chapter and Vicar Forane for the deanery of Kilfenora on 19 June 2002.