Born in County Tipperary in 1816, Keely emigrated to the U.S. at age 25 and settled in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, where he worked as a carpenter. Because Keely’s formal training in architecture is undocumented, it is believed he learned design and construction from his father, a builder. After completing an altar and reredos (altar screen) for St. James Pro-Cathedral and going on to build St. Peter and Paul’s Church in Brooklyn in 1846.
http://www.irish-architecture.com/news/2006/000170.html
Be interesting to know a bit more about him…..