The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) has announced that broadcaster Pat Kenny is to receive its Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Newstalk presenter will be honoured at a ceremony on Friday October 7th in Dublin.
Pat follows in the footsteps of previous recipients such as Gay Byrne, Maureen O'Hara, David Kelly, George Morrison, Cathal O'Shannon, Neil Jordan, Morgan O'Sullivan, John Boorman, Niall Toibín, Fionnula Flanagan, President Michel D Higgins, Jim Sheridan, Liam Neeson, and Brendan O'Carroll.
The Academy says Pat is being honoured for his lifetime body of work in television, and for his superb and distinguished contribution to Irish broadcasting for almost five decades.
He is one of Ireland’s foremost and distinguished broadcasters, a veteran TV presenter who has engaged and entertained home audiences throughout the years.
He is renowned for his knowledgeable and well-researched work ethic across a range of subject matters - and is highly respected for his incisive analysis and his straight-talking style.
Over the decades, he has helmed a diverse range of top-rated shows; from cutting-edge current affairs programmes such as 'The Frontline' and 'Today Tonight', to light entertainment and talk shows such as 'Kenny Live', 'Saturday Live', 'Pat Kenny in the Round' and the hosting of 'The Late Late Show' for 10 years.
Gay Byrne (left) and Pat Kenny during the 'Late Late' 50th anniversary show | Image: RTE/RollingNews.ie
Over the years he has interviewed politicians, performers, musicians, actors, astronauts, authors, members of the clergy, presidents and presidential hopefuls.
Pat also notably hosted the Eurovision Song Contest from Ireland in 1988 with Michelle Rocca, and was described by Terry Wogan as having done 'a superb job in the most thrilling contest in the history of the Eurovision' when Celine Dion won for Switzerland.
Aine Moriarty, chief executive of IFTA, said: "For more than 40 years Pat Kenny has shown himself to be a dedicated and passionate broadcaster, and a trusted and reliable voice in Ireland across important news, current affairs and social issues.
"His unique style and honest and informative approach to interviews and topics across all walks of life, has earned him a place in the hearts and minds of the Irish public and amongst his peers. The Irish Academy looks forward to honouring Pat on October 7th at the ceremony."
Pat will host a new current affairs show on TV3 with Colette Fitzpatrick later this year | Image: Brian McEvoy
On the award, Pat said: "I am truly honoured to receive this award from the Irish Academy; to be recognised by my peers in this way, and to follow in the footsteps of such an illustrious group of people who have previously received this Award is an absolute honour for me.
"I am humbled to be acknowledged by the Academy alongside broadcasters such a Gay Byrne and Cathal O’Shannon, who paved the way for broadcasters such as myself. Thank you IFTA."
The awards from Dublin's DoubleTree by Hilton will be broadcast on TV3.
