The Kellys of Killarney

[Jean]

Loved Reading Moira Colin-Thome’s article on the Kelly’s of Killarney … my mum and auntie both visited that magical place and they never forgot its beauty nor their wonderful host, Douglas Kelly.  Dean was never far away and they remembered being picked up at the Bogawantalava railway station by Dean and driven to the house.  The rolling mists, the deer, the garden, the house, the lifestyle – it was a little piece of heaven on earth and my mum always loved talking about their holiday at Killarney

[Ganesh]

I lived in the Killarney bungalow in the late 60s. It certainly was a charming place. Built of wattle and daub, and rather poorly lit, the hallway lined with stuffed Devil birds, the bungalow was supposed to be haunted by the ghost of Kelly. The forest lined driveway added to the mysterious atmosphere at night. My visitors did not like to stay too late. Mrs Dorothy Gordon of Lynford (down the road) did visit a couple of times as she had not been to the killarney bungalow in twenty five years having fallen out with Douglas Kelly. The ghost never showed up   and the birds never came to life, they must have been scared of me.
Kelly was Ceylon Lawn Tennis champion in 1906 and married Tom Farr's daughter. Farr planted North Cove (Bogo) and built Farr Inn at Horton Plains.

[mdkelly1950@yahoo.com]

For all those interested My name is Michael Douglas Beeston Kelly, son of Wilfred Henry Douglas Kelly, Grandson of Douglas Kelly - Tea Planter, Killarney, Ceylon.  I am writing a book about the history of the Kelly Family.  My Great Uncle was Thomas Farr - "World's End" I have his drawings, pen & ink, his water colors and photos. and Fanny Farr's watercolors of Ceylonese plants. Documentation of the Kelly Family in Ceylon form the 1890's. I would love to find more material for my book and communicate with people who may have that .  Pen and Ink drawings of North Cove, Horton Plains, Elephant Hunt, Colombo, Tennis, Elk Hunt, Photos of the Family, Motor Car, Rickshaw, horses etc.

[Ian Gardner]

Michael, you certainly have some rich data to record. I wish you every success in collecting and collating a rich document.
Ian.