Jimmy Kennedy was born in Omagh, County Tyrone, but was reared in Portstewart, County Londonderry, and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He went to England where he taught before taking up song-writing as a full-time profession. Many of his songs were very successful, including 'The Teddy Bears' Picnic'; 'Red Sails in the Sunset'; 'South of the Border'; 'Love is Like a Violin' and 'The Hokey-Cokey'. He won two Ivor Novello awards, was awarded an honorary degree from the New University of Ulster and received the Order of the British Empire. Bing Crosby, who became a personal friend, recorded nine of his songs. He lived in County Wicklow and died in England.

Born:	20 July 1902
Died:	6 April 1984