Frosses man Tim Kelly is set to be the next recipient of Donegal’s highest honour – the Freedom of the County.
Mr Kelly, chairman of the Kelly Group, has been at the fore of the telecommunications industry for almost four decades. It currently employs around 3,500 people.
Mr Kelly was awarded Freedom of the City of London last summer in honour of his continuous support and long-standing business operations within the city and his notable charitable work.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Martin Harley decided that, in his year as Mayor, he would award Tim the freedom of his home county.
“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,” Cllr Harley said.
The ceremony is expected to take place in October or November this year.
Mr Kelly made the headlines in July 2022 when he became a ‘Freeman’ of London. With that, he gained the ancient right to drive sheep toll-free across London Bridge.
Photo: Kelly Group
Born in Frosses, Tim Kelly left school at the age of 16 and emigrated two years later. He worked in hotels and construction before setting up his own business in the 1980s.
When the UK started awarding its first cable franchises in 1984, Tim recognised an opportunity. With several years cable industry experience under his belt, having worked for his brothers Aidan and Neil in Dublin, Tim, along with his brother Bernard founded Kelly Brothers in London in 1985. Their very first installation was in New Addington, London, on the 17th of September 1985 for Croydon Cable. From 1990 the company then became known as Kelly Communications Ltd and was joined a few years later by Tim’s sister Fiona and brother Declan as group directors.
Mr Kelly has lived in London for more than 50 years.
Other recipients of the Freedom of County Donegal include Paul McGinley, Phil Coulter, Daniel O’Donnell, Patsy McGonagle, Shay Given, Packie Bonner, 28th Infantry Battalion, Anthony Molloy, Seamus Coleman and Danny McDaid.
