Businessman Tim Kelly to be awarded Freedom of Donegal

A Frosses businessman who provided employment to countless young Irish emigrants in the UK is to be honoured with Donegal’s highest honour - the Freedom of the County.

Tim Kelly is Chairman of the Kelly Group. From bringing cable TV to hundreds of towns across Ireland and the UK, to staying up to speed with the latest high speed broadband technology, his company has been at the cutting edge of the telecommunications industry since the 1980s.

Nowadays, the Kelly Group has a workforce of around 3,500 people. 

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Martin Harley is a fellow Frosses man. He decided that, in his year as Mayor, Mr Kelly would be a fitting recipient of the Freedom of the County

Cllr Harley said: “We always talk about Diaspora and Tim has done a lot, he has employed a lot of Irish people and Donegal people going over to London.”

This is not the first such honour bestowed on Tim Keely. 

He became a Freeman of London in 2022, gaining the ancient right to drive sheep toll-free across London Bridge.

Mr Kelly was awarded Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his continuous support and long-standing business operations within the city and his notable charitable work.

Born in Frosses, Tim Kelly left school at the age of 16 and emigrated two years later. He worked in hospitality and construction before setting up his own business in the 1980s. 

Having gained experience in the cable industry under his brothers Aidan and Neil in Dublin, Tim was in a prime position when the UK started awarding cable franchises in 1984. He and his brother Bernard founded Kelly Brothers, and carried out their first installation in London for Croydon Cable in 1985. 

In 1990 the company became known as Kelly Communications Ltd, and over the next few years saw the addition of  Mr Kelly’s sister Fiona and brother Declan as group directors.

A date for the Freedom of Donegal ceremony has yet to be finalised, but it is expected to take place in October or November. 

Mr Kelly joins a list of prestigious recipients including Daniel O’Donnell, Anthony Molloy, Shay Given, Seamus Coleman, Packie Bonner, Phil Coulter, Patsy McGonagle, the 28th Infantry Battalion and Danny McDaid.