President leads tributes to remarkable Offaly native

The President has led tributes to a remarkable Tullamore native who passed away yesterday.

Fr Michael Kelly SJ, died peacefully in Zambia in Friday at the age of 91.

Born in Tullamore in 1929, he was best known as a world-renowned authority in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Offering his condolences on the passing of a “true hero”, President Michael D. Higgins said: “Fr. Michael was renowned, not only for his intellect, but for his extraordinary positivity and compassion. He epitomised the great work of Irish missionaries in the education and health spheres in so many parts of the world. His humanity shone through in his work and in his encounters with all who were fortunate enough to have met him.”

President Higgins said as well as advocacy work on HIV and AIDS, Fr Michael was also very active in the education sector in Zambia, having held senior faculty posts at the University of Zambia, and he was a strong and articulate proponent for human rights.

“As an academic, writer and educator, Fr. Michael made an immense contribution to improved health outcomes for many people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through his work with Irish Aid and several multilateral organisations, he was an inspirational figure to health workers, aid workers, humanitarians and diplomats from Ireland, Zambia and beyond.”

The President continued: "It is so fitting that his memory will live on in the Father Michael Kelly HIV and AIDS Lecture, which is held annually to coincide with World AIDS Day on 1st December. This event will serve as a reminder of the outstanding work and rich legacy of Fr. Michael Kelly. I offer my condolences to his family and many friends. Ireland and Zambia mourn the loss of a true hero."

Fr. Michael was presented with the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad in 2012. In 2018 he received the Order of Distinguished Service Award from President Lungu of Zambia, in recognition of his contributions to the promotion of education, social justice and HIV/AIDS.

Most recently his image featured on a stamp by An Post as part of their series celebrating the achievements of the Irish abroad.

Fr Leonard Moloney SJ, Irish Jesuit Provincial, said Michael was an exceptional person who contributed so much globally through his work and research on HIV/AIDS. “And he contributed to the health and wellbeing of the African people, particularly those in Zambia whom he loved. And as an Irish Jesuit, I have to say, he was simply an outstanding Jesuit brother.”

The Provincial said he wanted to convey his deepest condolences to Michael’s family here in Ireland and to his fellow Jesuits in the province of Zambia/Malawai.

Fr Michael grew up in O’Connor Square, Tullamore. His father was a director of P. & H. Egan, Tullamore

He went on to study at University College Dublin and was awarded a B.A. in Maths and Mathematical Physics in 1952, both with first class honours. He went on to receive a licentiate in philosophy in 1955. He moved to Zambia and lived and worked there for over 50 years, becoming a Zambian citizen. He worked for many years as headmaster of Canislius College in Chiseki in Zambia.

Fr Michael completed his Ph.D. studies in the area of child and educational psychology in 1974 and subsequently became a senior lecturer and Dean of the School of Education in the University of Zambia (UNZA), in 1975. He served as pro-vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor and became professor in 1989.

He was also a prolific researcher and author of 15 books, and many original research articles. He also worked as a consultant to organisations such as the World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, the FAO, UNAIDS, Oxfam, Irish Aid, and many more.

He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and Jesuit brothers. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.