US Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy III, has been awarded two honorary doctorates.

The awards, given by Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, recognise Dr. Kennedy's commitment and contribution as the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs over the past two years.

The ceremony marked the first time the two universities have jointly awarded honorary degrees.

Dr. Kennedy, a former congressman who has family roots in Fermanagh, was presented with a Doctor of Laws for distinction in public service from Queen’s University and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Ulster University.

He said: "As Economic Envoy, it’s been a pleasure to get to know the men and women who make Queen’s University and Ulster University the successes that they are.

"I am deeply honoured to be a recipient of these two honorary degrees.

"They come from institutions that represent the very essence of leadership and academic excellence."

During his time as US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Dr. Kennedy has supported various Queen's University events, including ‘Agreement 25’, a major international conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement.

He has also been instrumental in welcoming a delegation from Queen’s to Washington D.C. to participate in various events, including a peacebuilding event in Congress.

Queen’s has named a room in its newly opened Seamus Heaney Centre in his honour.

Professor Paul Bartholomew, vice-chancellor and president at Ulster University, said: "We are delighted to confer an Honorary Doctorate of Science on US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy III in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the advancement of the Northern Ireland economy and his significant support of Ulster University’s mission."

Last month, alongside Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers, Special Envoy Kennedy launched Connect to Success, an Ulster University-led partnership to empower women entrepreneurs with mentorship from leading multinationals.

Last year, Mr Kennedy visited Enniskillen Castle.

One talking point during his visit was his links to Tonymore, where his great, great, great grandmother, Rosanna Cox, lived before emigrating to America in the 1800s.

The townland has changed since the Cox family lived there and is now home to a manufacturing company, with Encirc basing themselves on the Border townland.

When asked by The Impartial Reporter if he was proud of his Fermanagh roots, Mr. Kennedy said: "Always, I mean, great story to tell."