[6][7] He worked in the Irish Civil Service as a computer programmer, before quitting to become active in theatre and politics.
[8] In 1993, he co-founded Calypso Productions, dedicated to staging work that deals with human rights.
In 1999 he won the Irish American Cultural Institute Butler Literary Award.
[12] In 2014 his music-drama serial Francisco won the gold medal for Best Drama Special at the New York Festivals Radio Awards.
[13] O'Kelly's film appearances include Jimmy's Hall, The Van and Kings, for which he was nominated for an IFTA.