Edmond Kelly

"Before ridding myself of the dust of the battlefield, I must send you an account of the death of your guide, philosopher, and dear friend, Major Willie Redmond. There is something very strange and weirdly fitting about it in all its circumstances—so fitting that if the good God had given him a choice of deaths he would hardly have dared to ask for a death so entirely according to his dearest wishes."

"The freedom of the world is at stake... Of course the idea of an arrogant Prussian imposing his will on Europe is simply intolerable. But who is to prevent him? Our soldiers; and never did soldiers fight in a more holier or patriotic cause. Irish soldiers at the present crisis are our truest patriots... Some say that they will shed the last drop of their blood if the Germans dare invade Ireland. When, say, Clonmel is being shelled from outside Dungarvan Bay they will begin to bestir themselves."

"Fr Michael Kelly. P.P. Cloneen and Killusty in 1805. Native of Moyglass parish, probably Curraghtarsna. Born 1735. C.C. in Killenaule for about six months in 1764. Was P.P. Cloneen and Killusty in 1792, but for how long before that is unknown. Died 16 Oct. 1805, aged 70; buried in the old cemetery of Cloneen. He was great-grand uncle of Canon Edmond Kelly, P.P. Killenaule 1937-55."

"We regret to record the death, which occured at a Dublin hospital of Very Rev. Edmond Canon Kelly, P.P. V.F., Killenaule and Moyglass. The late Canon Kelly was born at Newtown, New Inn, Caher in 1874. Having studied a Rockwell College, St. Patrick's College, Thurles, and Maynooth, he was ordained in June, 1900, at Maynooth, his Cashel classmates being the late Very Rev. W. Canon Fitzgerald, P.P., V.F. Ballingarry, and the late Very Rev. W. Canon O'Dwyer, P.P. Boherlahan. He served on the temporary mission in South Africa until May 1911. Returning to the archdiocese he was appointed C.C., Mullinahone, where he remained until he volunteered for service as chaplain in World War I. From April, 1915, till 1918 he was chaplain to the 16th Irish Division and was in frequent contact with Fr. William Doyle S.J. In 1916 he was at Loos salient at the Somme for the battle of Ginchy and under Messines ridge ; In 1917, at the 3rd battle of Ypres on Armistice day, 1918, he was at the Menin Gate near Ypres. After the war he continued as chaplain to the army until 1920 when he returned to the archdiocese again. He was re-appointed C.C. Mullinahone, and in 1922, became C.C., Tipperary. In 1934 he became P.P. Cappawhite, and in 1937 P.P. of Killenaule and Moyglass. A very zealous priest, Canon Kelly was held in affectionate veneration by the people of the parishes in which he ministered. The spiritual and temporal welfare of his flock was his only concern. In Killenaule parish he was responsible for the building of several new national schools—buildings that could be taken as a headline for any parish in the country. They stand as monuments to his initiative and energy. His keen interest in the education of youth was also reflected in the spread of vocational education. As a member of the South Tipperary Committee he was one of the most alert and painstaking representatives that committee ever had and his wisdom and experience will be sadly missed there- from. As a man, Canon Kelly was a grand character, straight in every As a man, Canon Kelly was a sense of the word—highly eficient and brocking no slovenliness. Yet he was kindly, hospital and generous and was blessed with a great sense of humour. Benetting one who had seen so much of human misery on the battlefields of World War I, he was particularly attentive to the sick and stricken. Eternal peace to his soul. He was brother of Mr Jeremiah Kelly, Ballingeary, Cahir, and had numerous nieces and nephews, including Mrs J. J. O'Connor (wife of Mr J.J. O'Connor, sollicitor Thurles, Mrs John Crean, do. ; the Fitzgerald, Kelly and Quirke families. At the Soleman Office and Requiem High Mass at Killenaule Church on Thursday, the celebrant was Rev. T. Morris D.D. St. Patrick's College. There were approximately one hundred priests officiating and there was an over-flow congregation of spiritual and temporal welfare of parishioners, relatives and friends."