Kielty was born in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, and grew up in the neighbouring village of Dundrum. He is one of three sons born to the businessman John "Jack" Kielty, who was shot dead on 25 January 1988 by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a cover name used by loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). John Kielty was to have been a key witness in Central Television's defence of a libel action brought by Jim Craig, who was suing the television company over a broadcast of The Cook Report which connected him to racketeering, and is said to have ordered John Kielty's murder. Kielty as a teenager was a talented gaelic footballer, and was even a member of the Down GAA minor footballer team for 3 years between 1987–89. He was the sub goalkeeper of the team when they won the 1987 All Ireland Minor Football Championship.

Filmography

• How to Get to Heaven from Belfast — Patrick Kielty
• 2023Ballywalter — Shane
• 2018My Dad, the Peace Deal and Me — Patrick Kielty
• 2016Patrick Kielty's Mulholland Drive — Presenter, Writer
• Channel 4's Comedy Gala
• 2006Patrick Kielty - Live — Himself, Writer
• 2004Top Gear's Stars in Fast Cars
• Fame Academy

Appearances as themselves (23)

• Pitch Invasion: How the Scottish and Irish Changed Football — Self
• Queen of Oz — Self
• 2022Tractor Wars: Ferguson vs Ford — Self - Presenter
• 2021Patrick Kielty: One Hundred Years of Union — Self
• Six Nations Sin Bin — Self
• 2018Grace and Goliath — Self
• Delete, Delete, Delete — Himself - Presenter
• Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled — Self
• 2012The Magic Box — Self
• Stand Up for the Week — Himself - Host
• Celebrity Juice — Self
• 2008Gaybo Laughs Back — Self
• Would I Lie to You? — Self
• 8 Out of 10 Cats — Self
• Celebrity Love Island — Self - Host
• Mock the Week — Self
• 2004A Mile in Their Shoes — Self
• Parkinson — Self - Guest
• QI — Self
• Top Gear — Self
• Parkinson — Self
• Have I Got News for You — Self
• The Late Late Show — Self - Host