Patrick Keely; 19th Century Architect

Did you know that many Catholic Cathedrals and churches built in the USA in the late 19th C. were designed by a lad from Thurles, Patrick Keely (Kiely). Born August 9th 1816 ; his father came to Thurles to build St. Patrick’s College and Patrick grew up in Thurles working under his father. He emigrated in 1842 and changed the spelling of his name to Keely. He designe 20 cathedrals from Albany to Toledo and many more parish churches and institutional buildings for religious orders.