The story of how a small joinery firm set up in the 1840s grew into the well-known building firm Kelly Bros is told in a new book by Kirk Michael resident Mike Clague.

’Reapers, Clogs and Pulpits’ has been launched at Michael Church meeting room.

The company built a number of the island’s housing estates and carved and supplied many carved furnishings to churches across the island.

The story of the Kelly family and, later, Stanley Keig and his family, is a fascinating one, Mr Clague said.

Daniel Kelly started a small joinery firm in the 1840s which later developed into Kelly Bros.

The company built housing estates, including Ballaglonney in Crosby, Ballaquane in Peel and Ballamillaghyn in Braddan, as well as many houses in Tromode Park.

The firm built a windmill in the area still known as Kelly’s Yard, and was almost closed on two occasions when large fires destroyed the workshops.

Mr Clague explained: ’The business also carved and supplied many church furnishings, and most of the island’s churches and chapels contain examples of their exquisite work. John D. L. Kelly and Stanley Keig, assisted by very talented carpenters, were craftsmen in every sense of the word.

’I set out to identify and photograph as many examples of their work as possible in the time available, and I hope that the book does them justice.

’It was described by a newspaper in 1931 as "A Fine Old Manx Firm" and continued to be so until it closed in 1984.’

The book title refers to the first reaper made on the island, thousands of clogs being supplied to the British Government during the First World War, and their church furniture.

Kelly Bros made the island’s wedding gift, a carved rug chest, to Princess Elizabeth in 1947, and a mahogany altar screen presented by the Methodists of the island to Wesley’s Chapel in London, in 1947.

Members of the Kelly family also established their own businesses. Ambrose Kelly moved to Peel, and built the Ward Public Library and other properties, as well as carved furniture for churches and Tynwald, and Booth Kelly established a fine engineering business with the Kneale brothers in Ramsey.

The book costs £28 and can be ordered from the author by leaving a message on 878328.