July 24, 2012
"JOHNNY, I HARDLY KNEW YE" XI
Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Today we continue our report of Chapter 12 of the book by Kenneth P. O'Donnell & David F. Powers with Joe McCarthy. It is published by Little, Brown & Company.
The title of Chapter 12 is "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye"
Kenneth O'Donnell tells us that after JFK left the Dail, he hurried to DUBLIN CASTLE.
There he was invested as a freeman of the city & given honorary degrees from the Catholic National University of Ireland* & the Protestant Trinity College**.
*The Catholic University of Ireland was founded in 1851 but became the National University of Ireland in 1909.
**Trinity College, modeled after Oxford & Cambridge, was founded in 1592.
In his speech, President Kennedy said:
"I want to say how pleased I am to have this association with these two great universities. I now feel equally a part of both, & if they ever have a game of Gaelic football or hurling, I shall cheer for Trinity & pray for National."***
***I wrote to Dave Powers on Oct 9, 1987 inviting him to join me at the football game to be played at Chestnut Hill between Boston College & the University of Tennessee.
In his reply of Oct 14, he thanked me for the invitation but declined because 'I am not up to weekend sporting events any more.'
Before I left Knoxville for the game, I sent Dave an orange UT sweatshirt. His answer follows:
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library
Columbia Point
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
October 30, 1987
Dear John:
What a great sweatshirt - I've worn it already - the weather is perfect for it right now. I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness.
This weekend while watching the game (on TV) I'll cheer for Tennessee & pray for B.C.
Thanks a million.
With my very best wishes,
Dave Powers
Museum Curator
JFK+50 Comment:
Praying apparently was more effective than cheering as the Boston College Eagles upset the mighty Volunteers 20 to 18. BC finished the season with a 5-6 record while Tennessee was 10-2-1.
Kenneth O'Donnell tells us that after JFK left the Dail, he hurried to DUBLIN CASTLE.
There he was invested as a freeman of the city & given honorary degrees from the Catholic National University of Ireland* & the Protestant Trinity College**.
*The Catholic University of Ireland was founded in 1851 but became the National University of Ireland in 1909.
**Trinity College, modeled after Oxford & Cambridge, was founded in 1592.
In his speech, President Kennedy said:
"I want to say how pleased I am to have this association with these two great universities. I now feel equally a part of both, & if they ever have a game of Gaelic football or hurling, I shall cheer for Trinity & pray for National."***
***I wrote to Dave Powers on Oct 9, 1987 inviting him to join me at the football game to be played at Chestnut Hill between Boston College & the University of Tennessee.
In his reply of Oct 14, he thanked me for the invitation but declined because 'I am not up to weekend sporting events any more.'
Before I left Knoxville for the game, I sent Dave an orange UT sweatshirt. His answer follows:
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library
Columbia Point
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
October 30, 1987
Dear John:
What a great sweatshirt - I've worn it already - the weather is perfect for it right now. I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness.
This weekend while watching the game (on TV) I'll cheer for Tennessee & pray for B.C.
Thanks a million.
With my very best wishes,
Dave Powers
Museum Curator
JFK+50 Comment:
Praying apparently was more effective than cheering as the Boston College Eagles upset the mighty Volunteers 20 to 18. BC finished the season with a 5-6 record while Tennessee was 10-2-1.
