Joe Kennedy III is a politician and diplomat with a unique influence in both US and Irish politics, having been appointed as the United States’ Special Envoy to Northern Ireland by President Biden in December 2022. He has served in the Peace Corps and House of Representatives, as well as working for CNN. Throughout his legal and political career, he has advocated for a large number of civil rights and racial equality bills, marijuana legalisation, radical environmental reform, and more progressive healthcare.

Kennedy addressed the Society and its members in the GMB Chamber yesterday morning. The Auditor, Áine Kennedy, presented him with the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Public Discourse on behalf of the Society.

Mr. Kennedy’s wonderful address can be viewed on our Instagram (@TCDHist), as well as the Q&A Session where he answered questions on topics like environmental advocacy, a united Ireland, and his family’s political dynasty.

Thank you very much to Mr. Kennedy for speaking to the Hist and thank you to his entire team in the State Department and the US Embassy in Dublin for all their assistance.

Thank you very much to Arthur Cox for sponsoring this event and our entire Gold Medal speaker series!