Popular Laois priest celebrates 90th birthday
Fr Seán Kelly PE
A POPULAR Laois priest is celebrating his 90th birthday today, after more than 30 years serving Stradbally parish.
Fr Seán Kelly may have retired as parish priest but he is busier than ever, after 64 years in the priesthood.
Having celebrated his diamond jubilee in 2022, he continues to preach and work tirelessly for the Stradbally/Timahoe/Vicarstown parish, where he is renowned for his warmth and kindness. He previously served in parishes that included Graiguecullen/Killeshin.
A concelebrated Mass and community gathering was held in Stradbally this morning, to mark the major milestone.
Sending warm congratulations, Abbeyleix parish priest Fr Paddy Byrne said on social media this week: ‘A wonderful, kind and compassionate man whose empathy and ministry have reached out to generations. Happy birthday Seán, as you continue to work tirelessly for your parish.’
A tribute on the Stradbally Noticeboard social media site today said: ‘For more than 30 years, Fr Seán has been a much-loved part of our community, giving so much of his time, kindness and friendship to the people around him.’
The post has attracted many tributes from followers, with one describing Fr Seán as ‘a hero to Stradbally town’ and another as ‘a friend to all’.
The parish sadly said farewell on 18 September to equally popular parish priest Fr David Vard, who is taking temporary leave for personal family reasons.
