The Award will be presented at a reception at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin on 20th November.
Ms Kennedy's career spans five decades and she has hosted programmes including Nationwide, Open House, Kennedy, Moving West, Up for the Match, and major events such as the1995 Eurovision Song Contest.
She currently co-presents the podcast Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations, with former President of Ireland Mary McAleese.
Ms Kennedy will receive the IFTA award in the company of her industry peers, colleagues, family and friends, following a conversation with fellow broadcaster and fashion designer Brendan Courtney.
Reacting to the announcement, Ms Kennedy 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.
"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."
IFTA is delighted to announce that beloved Irish broadcaster Mary Kennedy will be presented with the Irish Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, at a special intimate reception at the historic Shelbourne Hotel on Wednesday 20th November.
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) November 6, 2024
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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."
Dublin-born Ms Kennedy began her career in RTE as a continuity announcer in 1978, going on to become a news presenter.
She also regularly worked as a commentator on high profile events including state funerals and royal weddings.
In recent years, she was a contestant on the Irish edition of Dancing With The Stars in 2020, and now presents the TG4 series Moving West.
Over the years she has also been extensively involved in fundraising for GOAL, Self Help and To Children with Love and has travelled to India, Malawi, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka to raise awareness and money.
Previous recipients of the IFTA Lifetime Achievement Awards have included Judi Dench, Maureen O’Hara, Gay Byrne, Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Bryan Murray, Shay Healy, Brendan O’Carroll, Fionnula Flanagan, Pat Kenny, Mícheál Ó Meallaigh amongst others, and international recipients of IFTA’s special John Ford Award have included Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood.
The annual IFTA Awards will take place in February 2025, with full details to be announced shortly.
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