Kelly was one of six children, was born in kilchreest and raised in Grange Park, Killeenadeema, Loughrea.
He was jailed several times for Fenian and Irish Republican Brotherhood activities, in prisons such as Ballykinlough.
He and several other Galway men asked Bishop Patrick Duggan to be the patron of the nascent G.A.A.
He declined the offer but suggested they approach Archbishop Thomas Croke of Cashel instead.
and is the only full-time farmer to have held the post In addition, Kelly was Honorary Secretary of the Galway GAA and Chairman of the Loughrea District Council.