IRELAND PROCLAIMS INDEPENDENCE
Dublin, Ireland (JFK+50) On January 21, 1919, Ireland proclaimed her independence at a meeting of the First Dail Elreann* here in Dublin.
The Declaration of Irish Independence reads...
"Where as the Irish People is by right a free people. We, the elected representatives of the ancient Irish people in National Parliament assembled, do...ratify the establishment of the Irish Republic."
When President John F. Kennedy, the first Irish-Catholic POTUS and son of two families (Fitzgeralds & Kennedys) with Irish roots, visited Ireland in June 1963, the Central Intelligence Agency expected demonstrations over the partition of the country.
While JFK was reluctant to bring up the issue during his visit, he did say...
"No people ever believed more deeply in the cause of Irish freedom than the people of the United States."
The JFK Library reminds us that the President "relished his Irish heritage."
JFK was sworn in as the 35th POTUS on the Fitzgerald Family Bible and displayed a Waterford crystal pedestal vase and Carrickmacross lace napkin**at the White House.
His presidential assistants (David Powers, Kenny O'Donnell and Lawrence O'Brien) were dubbed "the Irish mafia."
The people of Ireland returned their love during his visit. Thousands lined his motorcade routes and gathered to hear his speeches. Just before he departed "The Emerald Isle," JFK said...
"I will return in the springtime."
JFK+50 NOTE
The Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921) granted Ireland complete independence but an opt-out clause permitted the counties of Northern Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom. Resistance to British rule in Ireland extended back hundreds of years.
*First Dail Elreann (1919-1921) was the 1st meeting of the unicameral parliament of the revolutionary Irish Republic.
**Carrickmacross lace napkin was presented to JFK & Mrs. Kennedy by PM of Ireland Sean LeMass.
SOURCES
"John F. Kennedy and Ireland," John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Boston, Massachusetts, wwwjfklibrary.org/
"Why John F. Kennedy was reluctant to discuss Irish partition during 1963 visit," Irish Central, www.irishcentral.com/
