Former U.S. Congressman and current U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland Joseph Kennedy III joins Irish Stew, IrishCentral’s podcast partner, for a compelling new episode exploring politics, peace, and the enduring power of public service.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Kennedy reflects on Northern Ireland’s transformation, the influence of his family’s legacy, and his own path forward. In what serves as a thoughtful coda to Irish Stew’s “Lost in Belfast” series, Joseph Kennedy III speaks candidly about the hard-won peace in Northern Ireland and the lessons it can teach a world often riven by political division.
A grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and great-nephew of President John F. Kennedy, Joe Kennedy III has long seen public service not as a career, but as a calling deeply embedded in his family story.
Joseph Kennedy III features on "The Irish Stew Podcast".
Kennedy describes Northern Ireland as a living example of what reconciliation and compromise can achieve, while acknowledging the challenges that remain. He praises the resilience of the region’s people and leaders, and suggests that Belfast’s growth in education, innovation, and community spirit provides hope for bridging past struggles with a more inclusive future.
Beyond his diplomatic role, Kennedy continues his family’s tradition of service through initiatives like the Groundwork Project, which promotes civic engagement in overlooked American communities, and Citizens Energy Corporation, the green energy nonprofit founded by his father, Joseph P. Kennedy II. For Kennedy, these efforts reflect his belief in listening to communities, empowering citizens, and strengthening trust in the political process.
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As part of the conversation, Kennedy offers his “Seamus Plug” to highlight the Wave Trauma Centre in Belfast, which provides vital care and support for those affected by the Troubles. His endorsement underscores his respect for the organizations on the ground that continue to heal communities and sustain peace.
Born in 1980, Joseph Patrick Kennedy III is an attorney, former U.S. Congressman for Massachusetts’s 4th District (2013–2021), and a member of one of America’s most prominent political families. Educated at Stanford University and Harvard Law School, Kennedy served in the Peace Corps before beginning his career in public office. In December 2022, President Joe Biden appointed him as U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, a role in which he promotes investment, innovation, and economic opportunity in the region.
For Kennedy, whether in Belfast, Boston, or beyond, the unifying thread remains service, through politics, community work, or renewable energy.
Listen to the full conversation here at IrishStewPodcast.com.
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