Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced Monday that a new conflict resolution center would be named after the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) to honor his role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

According to a report by Agence France-Presse, Cowen said that “the centre is a further acknowledgment of Ted Kennedy’s immense commitment to Ireland, in particular his role in helping to bring about peace in Northern Ireland.”

The new Centre for Conflict Intervention will be located at the National University in Maynooth, County Kildare, and will specialize in conflict resolution, mediation, leadership and civic engagement.

Meanwhile on Saturday, the Tipperary Peace Convention honored Kennedy and his sister, former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith, with the Tipperary International Peace Award.

Previous recipients include former South African President Nelson Mandela, assassinated Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto and former President Bill Clinton.