[2] and a regular contributor to RTÉ and the BBC[3] Kelly is from Omagh, County Tyrone, and attended St Patrick's High school, Omagh and later St Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he studied for a post-graduate degree in theology.

In October 2012, aged 33, he was appointed editor of The Irish Catholic, succeeding Garry O'Sullivan.

[6][8][9] Kelly is a regular visitor and tour guide to the Holy Land.,[10] and is author of the book A Pilgrim Guide to the Holy Land[11] He was leading a group of Irish pilgrims on October 7, 2023 when the Hamas attacks happened in southern Israel.

[12] The pilgrims later travelled home on a commercial flight, and Kelly was airlifted by the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

[13] In May 2024, it was announced that Kelly had been appointed Director of Public Affairs for the Pontifical Foundation, Aid to the Church in Need, Ireland.