| Ray Kennedy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970 Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Employer | Radio Telefís Éireann |
Ray Kennedy is an Irish news journalist currently working with RTÉ, Irish national television and radio.
He was previously Ireland correspondent for Sky News in Dublin. He was one of the Sky News Ireland's two anchors[1] for its weeknightly programmes alongside colleague Brian Daly, following the departure of previous Sky News Ireland anchor Gráinne Seoige.
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Before joining Sky News, Kennedy worked as a reporter and news anchor for Irish channels RTÉ and TV3. His career began in 1989, working as a reporter with the Irish Independent and Irish Press newspaper groups before both radio and television presenting.
He has held the posts of Political Correspondent with Independent Network News (INN). Weekend Anchor TV3, and Ireland Correspondent Sky News International.
Among Ireland's most experienced television presenters, he has covered most major news stories of the past two decades.
In 2006 he was nominated one of Ireland's favourite news presenters at the TV Now Awards.
After the Irish general election in 2007 he was one of three senior figures considered by then Prime Minister, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for the position of Irish Government Press Secretary, as reported in The Phoenix August 10, 2007. Ray Kennedy, PR professional David Curtin and former army officer Eoin O'Neachtain were pursued. O'Neachtain was appointed.
He was reportedly (Irish Independent) pipped for the position of Washington Correspondent at RTE in the summer of 2010. Richard Downes was appointed.
In August of this year he beat of a host of contenders to win the covented "2011 Worst Dye Job On TV" award which was held in Dublin, Ireland.
Overseas assignments have included the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997 and the war and refugee crisis in Kosovo 1999. He covered the 2004/05 Asian Tsunami for Sky News live from Thailand, and was also dispatched to Rome by Sky for the death of Pope John Paul II and election of Pope Benedict XVI.[2] In 2004 Ray Kennedy covered the US presidential election live from Washington, D.C.
He has spent time working from Sky News centre in London. He also broadcast from the Fox News studios in Washington DC alongside Brit Hume and John Gibson.
He provided three hours of live coverage on Sky News for the 1916 Easter Rising - 90th anniversary military parade in Dublin. He broadcast live commentary on Sky News international for the state funeral of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey.
When Sky News finished Irish operations, he moved back to RTÉ News and Current Affairs as a senior journalist.[3][4][5] Kennedy was the lead journalist for RTE's acclaimed coverage of the Volcanic Ash crisis in April/May 2010. Providing live updates throughout the day from Dublin Airport on the international travel chaos.
Ray Kennedy lives in Dublin, and is married with two children. Ray is also a fan of Shelbourne FC and can be seen around Tolka Park Stadium on match days with his children.