Mary Kennedy set to be honoured with prestigious award later this month

Former Nationwide host Mary Kennedy is set to receive IFTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award later this month.

The academy announced that Kennedy will be presented with the Irish Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the television industry. The award will be presented at a special intimate reception at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin on Wednesday, November 20.

Reacting to the announcement, Mary said: “I feel very privileged to have worked in Irish broadcasting for so many years and to have had the opportunity to showcase our rich culture, heritage and sense of community.

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“I feel honoured and very grateful that the Irish Film and Television Academy is presenting me with this prestigious award for that work. I will treasure it always. Míle buíochas.”

Previous recipients of the IFTA Lifetime Achievement Awards have included icons such as Judi Dench, Maureen O’Hara, Gay Byrne, Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Bryan Murray, Shay Healy, Brendan O’Carroll, Fionnula Flanagan, Pat Kenny and Mícheál Ó Meallaigh amongst others, while international recipients of IFTA’s special John Ford Award have included Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood.

Mary’s career has spanned five decades and has seen her host countless programmes, including Nationwide, Open House, Kennedy, Moving West, Up for the Match, the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest and her current hit podcast Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations, which she co-presents with former President of Ireland Mary McAleese.

Áine Moriarty, Chief Executive of IFTA, said: “Mary’s indelible relationship with Irish audiences has kept her firmly in the hearts and minds of the public throughout her career. A trailblazing woman in Irish broadcasting, she has a warmth, ease and professionalism that is wholly unique.

“The Irish Academy is immensely proud to recognise her outstanding achievement and present her with the IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Mary will receive the special IFTA Award in the company of industry peers, colleagues, family and friends, following a fireside chat with broadcaster and fashion designer Brendan Courtney.

Submissions are currently underway for the annual IFTA Awards, which will take place in February 2025, with full details to be announced soon.

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