Kelly was born in Cree, County Clare, and learned to play when he was young.
His style was influenced by the Kerry fiddler George Whelan (also the mentor of his father) and Danny Mescal.
[1][2] Patrick Kelly specialized in music set in 12/8 pieces.
[3] Characteristic of Kelly was the tuning of his fiddle in GDGD,[4] so he could use droning and double stopping.
[6] Around 1930, Kelly married Margaret "Dilly" Golden from Cree.