Kennedy, Frank (Francis)
Biographical note
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Francis "Frank" Kennedy attended Boston College High School and Merrimack College, majoring in electrical engineering. His involvement in Comhaltas came through Larry Reynolds and the Hanafin-Cooley Branch, primarily in promoting their Echoes of Erin concerts. Frank helped to open the school in 1997 on the campus of Boston College. Its regular enrollment approached 150 students in classes held at both Harvard University and Boston College.
As chair, Frank introduced and led many initiatives constructive for Comhaltas in North America: creating the first development plan within Comhaltas; establishing two new regions of Comhaltas branches, the South and West; incorporating Comhaltas as a non-profit organization; organizing provincial committees to better use resources within Comhaltas; increasing the uses of available technology; improving the delivery of Treoir; introducing training classes for adjudicators; and more.
During his term, Frank also served as Vice-Chairman of the Ard Chomhairle— the Central Executive Council of Comhaltas in Dublin: an opportunity to work in Comhaltas at the highest level, and to promote the interests of Comhaltas North America to the Ard Chomhairle and, on occasion, to ministers in the Irish government.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann North America collection of Irish music materials
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) is an international organization for the promotion of Irish music, song, dance, and language. These records document the history and activities of the CCÉ Province in North America, with related material from CCÉ in Ireland. The collection includes administrative records, promotional artifacts, and biographical materials, as well as recordings of performances, interviews, and other events.
Hall of Fame induction ceremony, video recording, 2002
Inductees: Michael Danfort, John Droney, Bill Black, Seamus Connolly, Fergus Keane, the Reynolds family (Larry, Larry Jr., Sean, Mike, Paddy), Joe Burke
Performances by: Kimberley Stevens, Allison Reilly, Edward Burke, Fergus Keane, Jimmy Hogan, Tara Lynch, Bill Black, the Reynolds family (Larry, Larry Jr., Sean, Mike, Paddy)
Speakers: Ted McGraw, Patrick Danfort, Frank Kennedy, Larry Reynolds
These recordings have been digitally copied; all original media were retained, but may not be played due to format. Digital use copies, identified by digital content number, can be accessed in the Burns Library Reading Room.