Eamonn McKee graduated from University College Dublin with a degree in History and Economics in 1982, followed by a Ph.D. from the National University of Ireland in 1987. He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1986, working on the Northern Ireland Peace Process, Overseas Development Assistance, the UN, Conflict Resolution, Trade, and Expo Dubai.

His previous postings have included to the Embassy in Washington DC (1990-96), to the Consulate General New York (1999-2001), as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea and the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (2009-2013), and as Ambassador to Israel (2013-15). He was appointed as Ambassador to Canada, Jamaica and the Bahamas in 2020.

Married with three children, Eamonn's interests include history and hiking, and he is known to cook occasionally.