Remembering Gerry Kelly's Legacy
Iconic Northern Ireland Broadcaster Gerry Kelly Dies Aged 77, Tributes Pour In
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Key Points
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Kelly began as a part-time GAA reporter at Ulster Television but was blacklisted by the National Union of Journalists; after a year at the Down Recorder he returned to UTV in 1979, eventually rising to present Good Evening Ulster.
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In 1999, Kelly was among the names considered to succeed Gay Byrne on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show, signaling his national profile beyond Northern Ireland.
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A famous moment on Kelly featured a nine-year-old Rory McIlroy attempting to chip a ball into a washing machine on the show, a clip that has since circulated widely online.
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Kelly was awarded the Sony Gold Award in 1998, underscoring his impact in broadcasting.
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He died at his home in Coney Island, County Down, on July 26, after a long career spanning more than four decades.
Gerry Kelly, one of Northern Ireland's best-known broadcasters, has died at the age of 77 at his home in Coney Island, County Down, according to Herald Scotland. The Ballymena-born presenter spent more than four decades in front of the camera and microphone, becoming a household name across the region.
Tributes have poured in from across the media and political spectrum, with colleagues remembering him as a warm, curious interviewer who left a lasting mark on broadcasting in Northern Ireland, Alloa Advertiser reported.
From GAA Reporter to UTV's Biggest Talk Show
Kelly started out as a part-time GAA reporter at Ulster Television. His early career hit a bump when the National Union of Journalists blacklisted him. He spent a year at the Down Recorder before returning to UTV in 1979. He worked his way up to present Good Evening Ulster, according to Ayr Advertiser.
His talk show, Kelly, launched in 1989 and ran for 571 episodes until 2005, according to Head Topics. It became one of UTV's longest-running programmes. He later moved to BBC Radio Ulster, and also worked on a project with Belfast Met students at NVTV called That's TV.
Young Rory McIlroy and Other Unforgettable Interview Moments
One of the most famous clips from Kelly featured a young Rory McIlroy trying to chip a golf ball into a washing machine on set. McIlroy was around eight or nine years old at the time. The clip has since spread widely online and is often cited as a charming snapshot of the golfer before he became a world star, Bicester Advertiser noted.
Kelly interviewed a wide range of high-profile guests over his career, from George Best to global sports stars. Colleagues remembered him as someone with a natural gift for making guests feel at ease. He won the Sony Gold Award in 1998, one of broadcasting's top honours.
A National Profile and a Very Public Health Battle
Kelly's reputation stretched beyond Northern Ireland. In 1999, he was among the names considered to replace Gay Byrne on RTÉ's The Late Late Show, one of Ireland's most prestigious television roles, according to Ayr Advertiser. It showed how well-regarded he was across the island.
In 2018, Kelly revealed he had been diagnosed with a bladder tumour two years earlier, according to Herald Scotland. He spoke openly about his health, which many in the industry admired. He continued to work and mentor younger broadcasters despite his illness.
Tributes Celebrate a Mentor Who Shaped Northern Irish Broadcasting
Tributes described Kelly as "much-loved" and praised his warmth on and off screen. Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland was among those who paid their respects, Herald Scotland reported. Colleagues said he had a rare ability to connect with both guests and audiences.
Many in the industry highlighted how Kelly mentored younger journalists and presenters across his career. He leaves behind a legacy built on 571 episodes of must-watch television, a Sony Gold Award, and decades of radio work that touched audiences across Northern Ireland and beyond.
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