JFK VISITS NEW ROSS AND DUNGANSTOWN
New Ross & Dunganstown, Ireland (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy arrived by helicopter at the Gaelic Field in New Ross* 55 years ago today, June 27, 1963. JFK was welcomed by children waving American flags and singing the his favorite Irish tunes.
JFK joined in himself in singing "The Boys of Wexford".
"We are the boys of Wexford
Who fought with heart & and hand
To burst in twain
The galling chain
And free our native land."
In his speech at New Ross, JFK said...
"When my great grandfather left here to become a cooper in East Boston, he carried nothing with him except two things: a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty. I am glad to say that all of his great grandchildren have valued that inheritance."
President Kennedy said to his cousin... "I'm glad to see you and I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you." Mrs. Ryan, who JFK visited on his first trip to Ireland in 1947, gave him a kiss on the cheek. They then had tea where JFK proposed this toast:
"To all the Kennedys who went and all the Kennedys who stayed."
SOURCE
"One of Ourselves: JFK in Ireland" by James Robert Carroll, Images from the Past, Inc., Bennington, Vermont, 2003
New Ross & Dunganstown, Ireland (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy arrived by helicopter at the Gaelic Field in New Ross* 55 years ago today, June 27, 1963. JFK was welcomed by children waving American flags and singing the his favorite Irish tunes.
JFK joined in himself in singing "The Boys of Wexford".
"We are the boys of Wexford
Who fought with heart & and hand
To burst in twain
The galling chain
And free our native land."
In his speech at New Ross, JFK said...
"When my great grandfather left here to become a cooper in East Boston, he carried nothing with him except two things: a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty. I am glad to say that all of his great grandchildren have valued that inheritance."
The President then drove to Dunganstown to visit the farm once owned by his great great grandfather, PATRICK KENNEDY. JFK was greeted by his hostess and third cousin, MARY RYAN, who was 63 years old. She was accompanied by about 25 relatives.
President Kennedy said to his cousin... "I'm glad to see you and I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you." Mrs. Ryan, who JFK visited on his first trip to Ireland in 1947, gave him a kiss on the cheek. They then had tea where JFK proposed this toast:
"To all the Kennedys who went and all the Kennedys who stayed."
*New Ross, located on the River Barrow in County Wexford, is Ireland's only inland port. The ancestral home of the Kennedys is located 4 miles south of the town.
"One of Ourselves: JFK in Ireland" by James Robert Carroll, Images from the Past, Inc., Bennington, Vermont, 2003
JFK and Mary Ryan
