Kelly was chosen from an open casting for the leading juvenile role in Lance Daly's award-winning feature film Life's A Breeze, alongside Fionnula Flanagan and Pat Shortt. She received a nomination for a Lead Actress Film IFTA Award in 2014. Notably, actor Zachary Quinto presented Kelly with the Bingham Ray New Talent Award at the 2013 Galway Film Fleadh.
Kelly's subsequent work includes a guest lead role in RTE's most successful TV drama, Love Hate, in which she appeared in season four during the Autumn of 2013. She also appeared in John Carney's feature film Sing Street, opposite Aidan Gillen and Jack Reynor.
Kelly played the role of Corrina Mallon in RTE's mini-series Clean Break, directed by Gillies MacKinnon. She then starred opposite Will Poulter in the upcoming short film Bainne, which marked the directorial debut of Jack Reynor. Bainne won the Best First Short Drama award upon its premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2019.
Kelly also portrayed the lead role of Ava in Banjoman Films' production Twin, directed by Ciarán Dooley. The film premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2019, showcasing Kelly's versatility and talent in various roles.
