Kennerley, Peter

Peter Kennerley (1925-1982) produced and directed a wide range of programmes for RTÉ television.

Peter Kennerley served with the Royal Navy before becoming a journalist with the 'Sunday Pictorial'. He went to work for Anglia Television where he became head of news and current affairs. A move to London saw him work as a producer director for BBC News. In 1965, Peter Kennerley joined RTÉ, working in television, he brought a visual flair and journalistic eye to a number of series and key documentaries.

He was a producer and director for 'Discovery', a documentary series broadcast on RTÉ between 1964 and 1967. The series examined many aspects of Irish life with an occasional spotlight on events of particular interest. Among the subjects Peter Kennerley looked at for 'Discovery' were films about Mountjoy Jail, the Traveller community and the Irish customs and excise service. For the commemoration of the Easter Rising in 1966, he examined the history of Kilmainham Gaol and the execution of the 1916 leaders in the film 'Ghosts of Kilmainham'.

He also contributed reports and programmes to 'Seven Days', 'Report' and 'Ireland's Eye'. For the series 'My Own Place', he profiled Edna O'Brien on her return to Clare and Breandán Ó hEithir, who went back to the Aran island of Inis Mór.

In 1966, Peter Kennerley made 'And InThe Morning' looking at the Irish men who took part in the Battle of the Somme. For this film, he was awarded the Rose d'Or. While filming 'Chippy' (1980), he spent time during the 1978/79 season with Irish international and Arsenal player Liam Brady.