Twin Priests Celebrate 95th Birthdays and Platinum Jubilee of Ordination
Fathers Joe and Matt Kelly, twin brothers ordained as Catholic priests in the 1950s, are celebrating their 95th birthdays this weekend and the platinum jubilee of their ordination. The milestone is being marked with a special Mass on Sunday, May 17th, at the Church of the Resurrection in Bayside, Dublin.
A Lifetime of Service
Born on March 31, 1931, in Coolcarrigan, Co. Kildare, Fathers Joe and Matt Kelly grew up in a family deeply rooted in the local community. Their mother was a teacher, and their father ran a grocery shop in Timahoe, where they attended primary school. They continued their education at St. Mary’s, Knockbeg College in Co. Carlow.
Separate Paths, Shared Faith
Despite a desire to be ordained together, the Kelly brothers initially followed separate paths in their seminary training. Bishop Thomas Keogh sent Joe Kelly to Clonliffe College in Dublin, while Matt Kelly began his studies at Maynooth College. After three years, Joe Kelly joined his brother at Maynooth until their ordination.
Fr. Joe was ordained for the Archdiocese of Dublin in May 1956, and Fr. Matt for the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin in June 1956. Throughout their careers, both priests dedicated themselves to serving their communities.
Ministries in Dublin and Kildare & Leighlin
Father Joe ministered throughout the Archdiocese of Dublin, including parishes in Kilmeague, Finglas, Larkhill-Whitehall-Santry, and Bayside. He fondly recalled the strong connections he made with parishioners in each location, stating, “People are remarkably good deep down, I’ve always believed that and I still believe it.”
Father Matt served in the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin, with early appointments including Tullow Parish and a role as a Religious Education Inspector for primary schools. He later taught philosophy at Carlow College, St. Patrick’s Seminary for approximately 20 years, and served as Parish Priest in Kildare Town before retiring to Kill/Ardclough, Co. Kildare.
Shared Interests and Current Residence
Beyond their priestly duties, both Fathers Joe and Matt Kelly shared a passion for golf, playing weekly with a group of priest friends until recently. They now reside at the Little Sisters of the Poor, Sacred Heart Residence in Sybil Hill, Raheny.
Platinum Jubilee Mass
The Mass celebrating their 70 years of service will be concelebrated by Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin, and Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin. RTÉ News reports the event will honor their decades of dedication to the Catholic Church and the communities they served.
Kildare and Leighlin Diocese
The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, where Father Matt served, is a Roman Catholic diocese with a rich history and a commitment to serving the spiritual needs of its parishioners. Kandle.ie, the diocesan website, provides information on its activities and ministries.