Michael Kelly is a freelance writer, bestselling author, broadcaster and social entrepreneur.
Michael is an informed and impassioned speaker on food issues, self-sufficiency, sustainability and growing your own. He is founder and CEO of GIY (Grow it Yourself) Ireland, a national not-for-profit organisation (registered charity CHY 18920) which aims to inspire people to grow their own food and give them the skills they need to do so successfully. The organisation aims to establish a GIY group in every community in Ireland. There are currently over 60 GIY groups around Ireland and approximately 5,000 people involved between the groups and the online social network at http://www.giyireland.com. Michael was an Arthur Guinness Fund Awardee in 2010 and a Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awardee in 2009.
He is also a freelance contributor to The Irish Times, writing features on lifestyle issues, food, self-sufficiency, travel and health.
His first book, Trading Paces - From Rat Race to Hen Run (O’Brien Press) was launched by Minister for Food and Horticulture Trevor Sargent T.D. in April 2008 and marked by features in The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, The Mail on Sunday and regional press.
‘Inspiring both admiration and jealousy, the author recounts his journey with humour and candour, and provides plenty of food for thought.’ Sunday Business Post
His second book Tales from the Home Farm is a month-by-month guide to producing food in your back garden, published in September 2009.
For sheer, vital grabbing inspiration, pick up a copy of Michael Kelly’s passionate and often hilarious Tales from the Home Farm’ Irish Examiner
Calling all fans of “The Good Life”, this book should be your bible Food & Wine Magazine
He is a regular contributor to Irish TV and radio and contributed a weekly slot on growing your own veg on The Frugal Household on RTE Radio 1 and has previously featured on Nationwide, Ear to the Ground, Eco Eye, Today with Pat Kenny, The Tubridy Show, Mooney, The Green Light, Ireland AM (TV3), The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show (Today FM) and The Last Word (Today FM).
During an early onset mid-life crisis in 2006, rather than buying a red sports car, Michael briefly embraced the rock n’roll lifestyle and released an album called Amongst Women (produced by Karl Odlum) which lamentably nobody bought. Michael worked for ten years in the I.T. industry in Dublin but now lives the good life in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford with his wife and an ever-expanding coterie of farm animals.
