JFK in Ireland

[John Geraghty]

On this day in 1963 JFK made the first visit of any President to Ireland. He visited Dublin, Cork and of course his ancestral home of Dunganstown in Wexford.

Thousands lined the streets to see the President, many hanging out of windows.

http://www.kennedyhomestead.com/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/s...000/4461115.stm

http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resou...and+Ireland.htm

In any Irish bar from Dublin to Bratislava I have seen photos of JFKs visit to Ireland, it was one of Irelands and John Kennedys proudest moments.

The rumour was that JFK wanted to become ambassador to Ireland following his second term and live in the land of his ancestors.

If anybody ever has a chance, I suggest that you pay a visit to Dunganstown and take a look around and also view 'The Dunbrody', the ship that took Patrick Kennedy to the United States.

Take a look at the photos on the JFK library website.

There are many good quotes from JFKs time in Ireland, I will leave it up to the members to add their favourites.

Heres a good quote from playwrite Sean O'Casey from after the assassination.

"What a terrible thing has happened to us all! To you there, to us here, to all everywhere. Peace who was becoming bright-eyed, now sits in the shadow of death; her handsome champion has been killed as he walked by her very side. Her gallant boy is dead. What a cruel, foul, and most unnatural murder! We mourn here with you, poor, sad American people. "

I'm sure some will call this thread off-topic and glorifying JFK, but its part of the history of Ireland and his visit is a historical fact that I choose to celebrate.

All the best,

John Geraghty

[Dawn Meredith]

On this day in 1963 JFK made the first visit of any President to Ireland. He visited Dublin, Cork and of course his ancestral home of Dunganstown in Wexford.

Thousands lined the streets to see the President, many hanging out of windows.

http://www.kennedyhomestead.com/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/s...000/4461115.stm

http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resou...and+Ireland.htm

In any Irish bar from Dublin to Bratislava I have seen photos of JFKs visit to Ireland, it was one of Irelands and John Kennedys proudest moments.

The rumour was that JFK wanted to become ambassador to Ireland following his second term and live in the land of his ancestors.

If anybody ever has a chance, I suggest that you pay a visit to Dunganstown and take a look around and also view 'The Dunbrody', the ship that took Patrick Kennedy to the United States.

Take a look at the photos on the JFK library website.

There are many good quotes from JFKs time in Ireland, I will leave it up to the members to add their favourites.

Heres a good quote from playwrite Sean O'Casey from after the assassination.

"What a terrible thing has happened to us all! To you there, to us here, to all everywhere. Peace who was becoming bright-eyed, now sits in the shadow of death; her handsome champion has been killed as he walked by her very side. Her gallant boy is dead. What a cruel, foul, and most unnatural murder! We mourn here with you, poor, sad American people. "

I'm sure some will call this thread off-topic and glorifying JFK, but its part of the history of Ireland and his visit is a historical fact that I choose to celebrate.

All the best,

John Geraghty

That's a beautiful quote John. And what's wrong with giving JFK a bit of "glory"? After all he died for us didn't he? I don't mean in any religious sense, but it's just as profound. He died standing up to the evil powers that be. And they cover- up the blood on their murderous hands to this very day.

I love the video of him in Ireland. Or anywhere actually, alive.

When I lived in Boston I used to visit the FJK liabrary where his press-conferences play endlessly. His wit, his charm; we've not seen the like since, and I doubt we ever will.

Dawn