The Kennedy Baronetcy of Newtownmountkennedy was created in the Baronetage of Ireland on 25 January 1666 for Robert Kennedy, member of the Irish House of Commons for Kildare Borough.
On the death of the fourth Baronet in 1710 the next heir was under attainder and the baronetcy was consequently forfeited.
He was the great-grandson of Sir Thomas Kennedy, Master of Cassilis, younger son of Gilbert Kennedy, 3rd Earl of Cassilis.
Susanna, Countess of Eglinton, daughter of the first Baronet, was a celebrated beauty and literary patron.
The family seat is Johnstown Kennedy, Rathcoole, County Dublin.