 O'Kelly won election to the new Roscommon North seat in the 1885 general election and was returned unopposed in the same seat in 1886.When the Irish Parliamentary Party split in 1890 over Parnell's leadership, O'Kelly supported Parnell.On hearing of the death of Parnell, he called at Walsingham Terrace, Brighton, where the Parnell family was staying, and offered his assistance.