Dennis Campbell Kennedy facts for kids

Dennis Kennedy is a writer who focuses on topics about Ireland and Europe. He has written several books, including Square Peg and Climbing Slemish: An Ulster Memoir.

He began his career as a journalist at the Belfast Telegraph newspaper. Later, he worked for The Irish Times in different positions. Mr. Kennedy also led the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland and taught about Europe at Queen's University, Belfast. He was also the president of the Irish Association for Economic, Cultural, and Social Affairs, and the Belfast Literary Society.

Who is Dennis Kennedy?

Dennis Kennedy was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, in 1936. He went to Wallace High School in Lisburn. He then studied at Queen's University, Belfast, and Trinity College Dublin.

His Education Journey

In 1958, he earned a degree in Modern History from Queen's University. Later, in 1985, he received his PhD from Trinity College Dublin.

Dennis Kennedy's Career

Dennis Kennedy has worked as a journalist in many places, including Northern Ireland, the United States, Ethiopia, and the Republic of Ireland. After that, he became the head of the European Commission office in Belfast. He also taught European Studies at Queen's University Belfast.

Starting in Journalism

His journalism career began in 1959 as a reporter for the Belfast Telegraph. In 1963, he won a special award called a Fellowship with the World Press Institute in Minnesota, USA. He spent over a year in the United States, including three months working for the Newark News in New Jersey.

Experiences in the USA

He wrote about his time in the US in a book called Yankee Doodles. This book includes his story of being at the White House on the day of President John F. Kennedy's funeral.

Working Abroad and in Ireland

In 1964, he returned to the Belfast Telegraph as the Chief Leader writer. In 1966, he left to work for the Lutheran World Federation. He became an assistant news editor at their radio station, RVOG, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Joining The Irish Times

In 1968, he came back to Ireland and joined The Irish Times in Dublin as a reporter. He quickly moved up, becoming Diplomatic Correspondent in 1969 and European Editor in 1972. He was then appointed Assistant Editor in 1974 and Deputy Editor in 1982.

Later Career and Retirement

In 1985, after 17 years with The Irish Times, he returned to Belfast. He took on the role of Head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland, serving from 1985 to 1991. In 1993, he joined Queen's University, Belfast as a research fellow and later a lecturer in European Studies. He retired from this role in 2001.

Leadership Roles

Dennis Kennedy was President of the Irish Association for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs from 2000 to 2001. He also served as President of the Belfast Literary Society from 2006 to 2007. He was also a founding member of The Cadogan Group, which started in 1991.

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  Dennis Kennedy