Linda  Dorcena‑Forry and Bill Forry to add international flair at 2025 Kennedy Summer School in New Ross

Former Massachusetts State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and her husband, Bill  Forry, co‑publishers of Boston’s respected Dorchester Reporter and owner s of Boston Irish Magazine, will feature at the 13th annual Kennedy Summer School in New Ross from August 28 to 30, 2025. Their presence adds a further transatlantic dimension to an already vibrant programme of debate, culture, and civic engagement.

Linda is hailed as a trailblazer in government, business, and philanthropy and will participate in a high-profile panel on Saturday that explores the evolving Irish-American relationship. Moderated by RTÉ’s Jackie Fox, the session will examine US–Ireland relations in a changing political climate alongside voices such as Senator Mark Daly and Larry Donnelly. Her insights—shaped in part by her tenure in the Massachusetts Senate and House—will make a valuable contribution to the session.

Bill  Forry joins the Kennedy Summer School line-up during Friday’s theatre programme, where he will lend his perspective to a panel on the role of local journalism. He joins Irish-based journalists Alan Corcoran, Brenda Power, Jessica O’Connor, and Dave O’Connell in considering the challenges and opportunities facing community news outlets in Ireland and beyond.

Forry is a prominent figure in Boston’s media landscape, having helped, with his father Ed, to steer the Dorchester Reporter, the family-owned community newspaper, through a transformative era for local journalism. His deep understanding of neighbourhood reporting, civic trust and community engagement renders him ideally situated to comment on the state of local journalism and its role in sustaining local democracy.

This year’s Kennedy Summer School opens with a screening of the documentary From That Small Island – The Story of the Irish, at St Michael’s Theatre on Thursday evening (August 28th), introduced by festival director and author of the documentary Bríona Nic Dhiarmada and screened as part of the launch night. The film, narrated by Colin Farrell with an evocative score by Colm Mac Con Iomaire, celebrates Ireland’s global cultural impact.

The festival launches on Thursday morning at the JFK Arboretum with a Schools STEM Event featuring voices from SETU and Research Ireland, including Dr Charles Larkin and Veronica Campbell, followed by a celebratory Kennedy Tea Party.  RTÉ broadcaster Seán O’Rourke is the special guest and there will be a musical performances from Sharon Clancy, with Seán Connick acting as MC.

Friday’s centenary celebration of The Great Gatsby kicks off with a School Literature session chaired by US‑Ireland academics, leading into a prestigious Speakers’ Lunch at the JFK Memorial Park. The day continues back in St Michael’s Theatre with thought‑provoking discussions on local journalism and Irish and US politics, followed by evening panels ranging from a Noel Whelan interview with Colm Tóibín to “President Trump &  Us,” moderated by Tony  Connelly.

Saturday opens with a public Gatsby‑centenary panel set beside forums on international trade, US‑Ireland relations featuring Dorcena‑Forry, and a live conversation between CNN’s Jim Acosta and Dr Stacey Connaughton. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone will also bring their popular weekly joust on American politics on Today FM’s The Last Word with Matt Cooper to St Michael’s Theatre. The weekend concludes with a lively discussion on the upcoming Irish presidential election and a performance by the New Ross District Pipe Band.

Speaking ahead of the event, Kennedy Summer School Director Larry Donnelly says, “We are delighted with the 2025 Kennedy Summer School programme.  As we often say, there is literally something for everyone, given the diverse group of expert speakers and the wide range of topics they will tackle during the last weekend in August.  I am particularly happy that we will be joined by two fascinating guests from my home city, Bill Forry and Linda Dorcena Forry, who I am sure will make a rich contribution to this year’s summer school.”

Tickets are now available. Visit kennedysummerschool.ie for full programme details.