We were delighted to welcome Joe Kennedy III back to the Lyric Theatre this week as he made his latest visit to Belfast in his ongoing diplomatic role.
Executive Producer, Jimmy Fay, Head of Development & Marketing, Claire Murray, and Maebeth Fenton Martin our Honorary President of American Friends, led the group on a tour of our award-winning building, sharing a meaningful link: a marble plaque engraved with an excerpt from President John F. Kennedy’s Amherst Address, his final major speech delivered on 26 October 1963. In it, he reflects on the essential role of art and poetry in civic life, words that have shaped the ethos of the Lyric Theatre since its earliest days. As we celebrate our 75th year in 2026, this was especially significant.
This plaque was repurposed from the Lyric old building, and is displayed with pride in our Executive office. By giving such prominence to President Kennedy’s words back in 1968, the theatre was aspiring to become an artistic conscience in the community and a voice for creative expression, an aspiration we continue to strive for today as a shared civic space. We were delighted to make this full circle moment with Joe Kennedy III on his visit, commemorating the enduring legacy of his family’s commitment to the arts and public service.
During the visit, Mr Kennedy also met the cast of Rogue Encounters, with Brain Injury Matters in our Naughton Studio ahead of their showcase of their work 'Don't Fence Me In' the following day. This piece of work was promoting an understanding of disabilities and mobilising support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. This new work was a combination of intimate storytelling and vibrant ensemble messaging about the challenges of life post brain injury, with an emphasis on vital support needs. Mr Kennedy then visited our Main Stage to see 'A Christmas Carol' in tech rehearsals ahead of Press Night the following evening.
On the final part of the tour, we shared aspirations for our most recent fundraising campaign, 'Fund For The Future'. This campaign aims to fundraise for a capital build, 'The Nest', a bespoke space for our Creative Learning Team, who champion our education and outreach reach with young people across Northern Ireland.
It was an absolute pleasure to share this heritage and future ambitions with Joe Kennedy III on his December 2025 visit, marking another full-circle moment in the enduring relationship between his family, the arts, and public service.
“As we approach our 75th year, this visit feels especially significant for the Lyric. Our theatre was founded on the belief that the arts can help shape civic life, encourage dialogue and inspire communities, values reflected so powerfully in President Kennedy’s words. Welcoming Joe Kennedy III at this moment in our history is a meaningful reminder of those ideals and of the enduring connection between creativity, public service and cultural exchange. It is a proud milestone for all of us at the Lyric as we look ahead to our next chapter.” Claire Murray, Head of Development & Marketing
