Freedom of Donegal: Tim Kelly a ‘worthy recipient’ of county’s highest honour

In being bestowed with the Freedom of Donegal, Tim Kelly was praised for his business achievements, charitable endeavours and tireless support of the Donegal Diaspora.

Based in London, the Frosses native has built a hugely successful telecommunications business, giving employment to countless Donegal people over the decades. 

He was honoured with the Freedom of Donegal at a ceremony in County House, Lifford on Friday. It was particularly special given that the honour was bestowed by his longtime friend and fellow Frosses man, Cathaoirleach of Donegal, Cllr Martin Harley. 

Ever humble, an emotional Mr Kelly said: “I am lost for words how much this honour means to me.

“It is an incredible honour for the work I love doing.”

He recalled how, at the start of the year, he had undergone ‘serious’ surgery which fortunately was successful.

“My doctor said to me, ‘you are a lucky man,’” said Mr Kelly. 

“I was lucky to have such amazing parents, a wonderful family and a great wife and son. Of course, lucky as well to be born in a magnificent community of friends and neighbours in Frosses. 

“This honour is a perfect end to the year. Thank you”

MC for the ceremony was Donegal County Council’s Director of Services, Liam Ward. 

He welcomed Mr Kelly’s family and friends to the chamber for what he described as ‘a very much deserved honour.’

Cathaoirleach, Cllr Martin Harley welcomed Mr Kelly, his wife Teresa, son Tim junior, siblings Neil, Kathleen and Declan and extended family members.  

The Cathaoirleach spoke with great pride of his early memories of Mr Kelly and all that he had gone on to achieve. 

“I always thought if I ever did get to be Mayor, no better man to give the honour to than Tim,” said Cllr Harley. 

“When he got the Freedom of London last year, I thought it would be bad if his own county couldn’t give him the same honour.

“I am immensely proud to welcome my follow Frosses man here this evening and to be associated with bestowing the Freedom of Donegal on Tim.”

Addressing Mr Kelly directly, Cllr Harley said the honour was ‘in appreciation of all your achievements in the world of business, both in Ireland and in the UK, your unending charitable work, and for your willingness to be always able to support the Donegal diaspora.”

The Cathaoirleach said he remembered Mr Kelly’s parents coming to his house often when he was a child. And he shared that his own parents were Mr Kelly’s godparents.

“Looking back to your humble beginnings in your home town of Frosses, you embarked on an incredible journey, working in the early days in the cable industry with your brothers Aidan and Neil in Dublin, moving to the UK and developing your business to where it is today, one of the major leaders in the telecommunications sector. 

“Your journey has been one of continuous improvement, dedication and hard work. You have shown us that with passion and determination, nothing is beyond your reach.”

Cllr Harley praised Mr Kelly for his contributions to the community and extensive charity work. 

“One of the more public projects you were involved in was the new London Irish ward in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London,” said Cllr Harley. “Communicating and working jointly with all the Irish businesses in London and further afield, you embarked on a long fundraising campaign and delivered an incredible contribution.

“Not to mention all the support you give to community groups, sporting organisations, cancer research, cancer support, the list is endless.”

The Cathaoirleach said that Mr Kelly had contacted him a few weeks in relation to making a contribution to a local charity to mark him being honoured with the Freedom of Donegal. Two charities were choses, the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation based in Donegal Town, and the Family Resource Centre in Stranorlar.  

“Both of those groups work together as well with helping families in different ways,” said Cllr Harley. “They are two local charities who do fantastic work. Like Tim, a lot of it goes under the radar. They keep families together and get them through difficult times and that is so important. 

“Tim, thank you for that, for your contribution.”

In relation to support for the Donegal Diaspora, Cllr Harley said: “Tim’s door is always open and he will do all he can to support them in any way, to provide employment for many Donegal people.”

Cllr Harley spoke of how success had not changed his fellow Frosses man. 

“While Tim achieved great things, he remains a modest and humble person committed to Donegal. 

“We are all proud of what you have achieved. You are a wonderful ambassador for our county.”

These sentiments were echoed by a number of other speakers at the ceremony.

Donegal County Council Chief Executive John McLaughlin congratulated Mr Kelly on the award.

“It reflects your proven track record in the business world and your extensive charitable endeavours and your support for the Donegal diaspora. 

“There is nobody in this room or in Donegal that hasn’t people who went to England or the UK in past generations. Everyone needs some help, particularly people who went generations ago, with very low means, sometimes with no money. 

“Who do you turn to?

 “People like Tim pick you up and that makes a very different life. It changes your entire life.  “And he does it in such an unassuming way, not looking for credit.”

Mr McLaughlin acknowledged the success of the Kelly Group as one of the leading telecommunications businesses in the UK.

“It takes years and years of hard work, dedication, sacrifice and resolve and I am sure there have been many challenges along the way.”

He spoke of Mr Kelly’s support for charitable and community organisations, hospitals, schools and his work with Donegal Associations abroad. 

“You are making a difference to so many lives, which we all take inspiration from,” said Mr McLaughlin. 

“Tim’s modest, quiet resolve and his determination to succeed are some of the most admirable traits possessed and among the reasons why he has been chosen as a recipient of this award today,” said Mr McLaughlin.

“This is the highest honour we can award to anyone, and this is our first time to award it to someone in business.”

A representative from each of the political groupings in Donegal County Council was invited to speak.
Cllr Ciaran Brogan spoke on behalf of Fianna Fáil.

“We are very proud of the success of Tim,” he said. 

“It is the one thing we have in Donegal, we are humble. A lot of people have been very successful but we always never forget where we come from. 

“I think that is the measure of Tim Kelly.”

Cllr Brogan spoke about being in Mr Kelly’s company in London recently, and observing how much the people around him matter to him. He also said that he saw first hand how Mr Kelly made himself available to talk to everybody. 

Regarding the Freedom of Donegal, Cllr Brogan said: “You really deserve it, and you are a real leader. You have been a real leader for us in Donegal and indeed the north west, and Ireland as a whole. 

“You have been good to so many, and I know to our own Donegal folk over the years when they needed things, Tim Kelly was never found wanting.”

Cllr Noel Jordan who hails from the same parish as Mr Kelly spoke on behalf of Sinn Féin. 

“I can’t think of anybody who is more worthy of this award,” he said.

“I am sure Tim, you have been asked a number of times what is the secret to success. We have witnessed it in our parish. In my opinion, your success was based on hard work, commitment but not forgetting where you came from, not forgetting your roots.

“You have proved that so many times throughout the parish, throughout the whole county of Donegal.

“The Donegal diaspora in London, and particularly in our own parish of Ivner we witnessed that. 

“It is a proud day for you and your family but it is a proud day for the whole parish.”

Cllr Barry Sweeny represented the Fine Gael grouping. 

He said: “I was just thinking how many people you have affected and helped throughout the years. 

“And when our Chief Executive said about changing people’s lives, you don’t know how sometimes you change someone’s life by a kind gesture or a wee bit of help, or a step up here and there. 

“I am sure you have done that in bucket loads over the years. 

“So thank you for that for all the people of Donegal and of Ireland that you have helped over the years.”

The independent councillors were represented by Cllr Tom Conaghan. 

He praised Mr Kelly for his continuing hard work, adding: “He is a person who really deserves the honour. He has done so much for everybody.

“This is a great day for you, your wife and family and all your friends and relations.”

A video was played which included commentary from Mr Kelly’s friends and family in Frosses, as well as from the Kelly Group management.
They described him as unassuming, and hard-working, a good employer who fostered a culture of loyalty through his own example.  

Cllr Harley then made the formal presentation which included the gift of the Freedom of the County, a scroll, and artwork depicting the mountain of Carnaween from the townland of Disert, with sheep walking along the road. 

A bouquet of flowers was presented to Mr Kelly’s wife Teresa. 

Following the presentation, Mr Kelly said he was ‘dumbfounded.’

He thanked his family and friends for coming along to share the celebration. 

He also thanked Cathaoirleach Cllr Martin Harley, CE John McLaughlin, Garry Martin Director of Services, Eileen Harkin, Elaine Whoriskey, and all the councillors who were present. 

In thanking the council for the honour, he added: “I appreciate the time and effort the council has put into recognising and celebrating achievements in our local community, both personal and business. 

“I am humbled to be recognised among such a talented group of previous winners.”

There have been 11 previous recipients of the Freedom of Donegal. They are: Phil Coulter, Shay Given, Patsy McGonagle, Daniel O’Donnell, Seamus Coleman, the 28th Infantry Battalion, Anthony Molloy, Packie Bonner, Paul McGinley, Danny McDaid, and Pat Crerand.