County Roscommon native named Boston ‘Man of the Year’

Dysart native and long-time United States resident Peter Kelly was recently named ‘Man of the Year’ by the County Roscommon Association of Boston.

Mr Kelly’s generous donation towards the restoration of St. Patrick’s Church, Dysart along with numerous other charitable donations were recognised by the Association.

It was a huge honour for the Boston-based Roscommon man. “It was wonderful. I was so proud getting it and recognised for it,” he said. “When you get an award you realise and appreciate it. I never forgot where I was born or where I came from," he said.

Mr Kelly extended his gratitude to his friend and president of the Roscommon Association of Boston, Richie Gorman.

“He's done monumental work for people in the Boston area, not just from Roscommon, from every county. He has been a very great pillar for the community,” he added.

He departed his home village at the age of 19 to work with his uncle, initially in New York in 1962, and the piece of Dysart rock he took with him is still in his pocket today.

The oldest of eight siblings raised on a small farm in Dysart, Mr Kelly attended CBS Roscommon before emigrating.

He recalled that on his first day looking for work in New York, the same day John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth, a helping Roscommon hand was never too far away.

“I was on the corner of Fifth Avenue on 52nd Street and I was looking for an address of a place where I was recommended to go for a job - and I was totally lost. It was my first time ever to step out into a thoroughfare with people shoulder to shoulder running in all different directions,” he explained.

He spotted an NYPD officer who turned out to be the recently deceased Terry Connaughton from Athleague, who was able to point Peter towards the right direction.

After spending two years in New York, Mr Kelly moved to Boston where he got his broker’s license, allowing him to carve out a successful career in real estate and later in the bar industry.

His businesses have employed many Irish people who have emigrated stateside.

Last year was a busy one for the Dysart native, as he returned to Ireland eight times including last August for the bi-centenary celebrations of St. Patrick’s Church.

The idea to renovate his home church came by complete chance  after initially helping out to fix up the village’s grotto.

When the grotto was opened in December of 2024, the Boston-based real estate agent and parish priest FR Francis Beirne discussed the looming bi-centenary anniversary.

From there, the plans fell into place for the church renovations, perhaps due to Mr Kelly’s love of his homeplace crossed with the American “do it” mentality.

“It’s how I get things done – I make up my mind, and if it’s worthwhile I do it. I love Dysart. I love Roscommon. I’m just part of it all the time,” he said.

He plans to return home again this August, keeping under wraps the new ideas he has for his home village.