Ambassador Jim Kelly Diplomacy Lecture
The Ambassador Jim Kelly Diplomacy Lecture is a collaboration between the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies in the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The series brings to Notre Dame members of the diplomatic corps of Ireland who have served in ambassadorial roles around the world. Furthermore, these conversations advance the Keough-Naughton Institute’s work to support research and programming on Ireland’s present and future on the global stage.
The lecture is named in honor of Jim Kelly — a highly respected diplomat who was Ireland’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations when he passed away suddenly in 2022. His other diplomatic roles included serving as Irish ambassador to Canada from 2016 to 2020.
Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason delivered the inaugural lecture in the series on October 29, 2025. She was joined in conversation by former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin.
Ambassador Byrne Nason addressed Ireland’s foreign policy, Ireland-U.S. relations, and Ireland’s plans for marking the Irish dimensions of the 250th anniversary of founding of the United States.
- Read a recap of the lecture, “Ambassador Byrne Nason launches USA250 at Notre Dame.”
- Watch a video of the full event on the Keough-Naughton Institute’s YouTube channel.