Source: Rollingnews.ie

PAT KENNY WILL receive a lifetime achievement award at the Irish Film and Television Academy awards (IFTAs) next month.

The veteran broadcaster (68) will follow in the footsteps of others to receive the award such as Gay Byrne, Neil Jordan, Niall Toibín, Brendan O’Carroll, and President Michael D Higgins.

Kenny 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,” IFTA said in a statement.

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.

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.

Kenny, pictured at the 2012 IFTAs Source: Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews.ie

The awards ceremony takes place at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Dublin on Friday 7 October. It will be carried live by TV3.

Responding to the news Kenny himself said he was “truly honoured”.

“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,” he said.