 He was the eldest son of Tom Bán Kelly and Bridget Davoren and the grandson of the successful landowner, Pat Mór Kelly, and Bridget Gibson from Fortview in County Clare.As a soldier he was a member of the Household Cavalry, with whom he distinguished himself with honours in the Boer War.After the war he returned to County Clare to take over the farm at Clonina and eventually to enter political life.