The Kelly Family
Our earliest memories of music were waking to our mummy singing and playing the accordion in the kitchen, which she loved. She taught us how to play and sing together, and was instrumental in developing our musical talents. She also had a great love for writing poetry about rural Ireland and in particular about growing up in her homestead, Kilbroney outside Rostrevor. With us as her cheerleaders, Alice Kelly, released her first book of poems in 1996 called “ The Wee Half Door”, then, “Granny’s Pot of Gold” in 2001, and “ My Life In Rostrevor” which we published for her in 2017.
Our lives have been shattered since mummy passed away in December 2020 and today we perform in her memory and for our loving sister Catherine who passed away seven years ago with Downs Syndrome. Mummy ensured Catherine was never left out, she was always on the stage when we performed playing bodhran, and tambourine and especially loved dancing. She always finished off our ‘set’, with a song.
The Kelly Family Folk Group, have entertained for almost 50 years at venues, pubs and clubs, all over Ireland. Because of having our special sister, we did a lot of charity events, nursing homes, (especially enjoying the Christmas and Hallow’een parties) and sang every week at Newry Gateway Club.
Bronagh was instrumental in starting the Folk group in Rostrevor when she was 16, with her brothers playing guitars. The local schoolchildren joined and a ‘Folk’ choir was formed. We still play in our local parish today.
Bronagh was the actress in the house, and performed and acted in the leading roles in Warrenpoint Pantomime for several years and was chosen for ‘Sandy’ in Grease in Newry Technical College which she thoroughly enjoyed.
In 1991, we went to Madrid for a week, representing Fiddlers Green Festival, along with our mother, playing Irish music in various Festivals, and being treated like royalty. This was an amazing experience, which we will never forget.
Paul is very talented on guitar, banjo, mandolin and singing. We remember when mummy bought his first full sized guitar at the age of eight and it was far too big for him, but he was determined to keep practicing on it. In 2017 he was part of the winning All Ireland Ballad group for Clonduff in Scor.
Sean is the youngest he sings and plays guitar. He is also a gifted song writer, and has been writing from 1999. He released an album in 2011 called “Slainte”, and is always writing new songs.
Growing up our father, was our taxi driver, and never said a word.
Our older brother, Patrick, now takes a back seat when we perform, but is always in the front row, and can stand in to sing with us if we need him.
The Kelly Family Folk Group consist of:
Seán Kelly - Guitar / vocals
Paul Kelly - Banjo / Mandolin / Guitar / vocals
Bronagh (Kelly )McElroy - Bodhran / whistles / vocals
