Luke Kelly's grandfather was from Athlone

It’s official, the grandfather of the legendary late singer Luke Kelly was born in Bealnamulla.
Research by Athlone librarian Gearoid O’Brien, in conjunction with the Westmeath Independent, has confirmed the belief of the Kelly family that their ancestor came from the Athlone region.
The legendary singer and member of The Dubliners passed away 30 years ago on January 30, 1984. Recently his brother Jimmy Kelly contacted both well-known historian and Westmeath Independent columnist Gearoid O’Brien and this reporter seeking assistance with the search.
According to the family lore, Luke Kelly’s grandfather Paddy was born or lived in or near Athlone, before moving to Dublin.
Paddy’s death certificate from 1924, indicates he passed away at the age of 56. This suggests he had a date of birth of either 1867 or 1868. The census return for 1901 indicate that their grandfather, had cited a place of birth as Athlone. He was married to Christina, who was possibly previously O’Leary.
With the help of local historian and town librarian Gearoid O’Brien, the Kelly family traced a Patrick Kelly, who was born in Eskerbeg, Castlesampson, Bealnamulla, in 1867, and who they believe may well be their ancestor and Luke Kelly’s grandfather. The Kellys were hopeful that this was the same man as their grandfather Paddy Kelly.
A birth record for the Bealnamulla Patrick Kelly recorded his parents as Luke Kelly and Mary Kelly (nee Dolan). However, up to last week there was no firm connection between the Dublin Patrick Kelly and this random birth record in Bealnamulla.
However last week, the Westmeath Independent traced a marriage record for the Dublin Paddy Kelly, to Christina, in the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, on February 13, 1898. This marriage document recorded the groom’s parents as Luke and Mary (nee Dolan), confirming the connection, up to then only suspected, between the Bealnamulla Patrick and the Dublin Paddy.
It was the concrete proof the Kelly family had been seeking. Their family story was indeed correct, their grandfather had been born in Athlone.
However, the suggestion that an existing Kelly family in the Bealnamulla area may be related to the singer Luke Kelly is now unlikely.
All we can say at this stage is that Luke Kelly of The Dubliners was definitely the grandson of a Luke Kelly and Mary Dolan from St Peter’s Parish, with an address in Bealnamulla and that they had, at least, two sons Patrick born April 9, 1867 (Luke’s grandfather) and John who was born November 14, 1869.
Any Kellys in the area, who have connections with Dolans, are asked to contact either Tadhg Carey at the Westmeath Independent on 090 6434300, or Gearoid O’Brien in Athlone Library.