Edmond Kelly

Canon Edmond Kelly (8 June 1874 – 11 October 1955) was an Irish Catholic priest who served as a military chaplain with the British Army during the First World War. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917 for gallantry during the Battle of Passchendaele near Ypres. He was the eldest of five children born to John Kelly (1828–1890), a farmer, and Bridget Kelly (née Grady) (1839–1901). He is a second cousin to the Australian bushranger Ned Kelly.

Edmond Kelly received his early education locally before attending Rockwell College.

Priesthood Ordination and early ministry Edmond Kelly was ordained to the priesthood on 17 June 1900 at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. Following his ordination, he served as a missionary in South Africa from 1900 to 1911. He served on the Western Front, particularly in the Ypres Salient. He then initiated and led the construction of several schools in the County of Tipperary, such as St Catherine's Greystown and St Maal's Ballimonty in 1948 the historical conservation and archives department within Tipperary County Council. In 2017, during National Heritage Week, an exhibition featuring his Military Cross was held at The Source in Thurles. Again in 2018, a special conference and exhibition were organised by Tipperary Studies.

Honours Military Cross (1917) Canon of the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly