kelly pursued a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at ucd. after graduating in 1957, he worked in industry in ireland and the uk from 1957 to 1963. he then returned to ucd as a lecturer, and obtained his phd in 1968. he was a senior fulbright scholar at the university of maryland from 1969 to 1970. he was promoted to senior lecturer at ucd in 1976, holding that post until 1985, and during this period was elected three times as dean of the faculty of engineering and architecture. he was visiting professor at the university of missouri-rolla in 1982.