"I CAN IMAGINE NOTHING MORE PLEASANT THAN DRIVING THROUGH THE STREETS OF DUBLIN"

JFK & 2 or 3 IRISHMEN VISIT CORK

Cork, Ireland (JFK+50) On June 28, 1963, President John F. Kennedy paid a visit to Cork, Ireland's second largest city.  The President was greeted by a crowd estimated to be 100,000.

In his speech, JFK took pride in introducing "2 or 3 Irishmen" who came along with him from America.  First to be introduced was JFK's Presidential assistant David Powers who, according to Mr. Kennedy, had seven of his cousins sitting with him on the front row.  The second "Irishman" to be introduced was Larry O'Brien, JFK's legislative aide, and third was Jim Roley, head of the United States Secret Service.

Later, at Leinster House, JFK spoke to a joint session of the Dail and Seanad (Irish Parliament).  The President spoke about the heroics of the Irish Brigade at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862.  He presented one of the surviving flags of the 69th Regiment of New York volunteers from the battle "to the people of Ireland".

JFK said to the Irish Parliament...

"Today this is no longer the country of hunger and famine....nor is it any longer a country of persecution, political or religious.  It is a free country and that is why any American feels at home."

Still later, at Dublin Castle, JFK was given honorary law degrees to National University of Ireland and Trinity College.  

JFK said...

"I want to express....thanks to the people of Dublin.  I can imagine nothing more pleasant than continuing day after day to drive through the streets of Dublin and waving and I may come back and do it."

JFK Motorcade in Dublin

June 28, 1963

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JOHNNY I HARDLY KNEW YE IX

July 22, 2012

"JOHNNY, I HARDLY KNEW YE" IX

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 continues to discuss JFK's trip to Ireland in late June 1963.


At one point, President Kennedy obviously enjoying himself in Ireland, said that in 1968 he would support the Democratic candidate for President of the United States "who would promise to appoint him Ambassador to Ireland."


From NEW ROSS, JFK & his party then traveled to CORK, "the hotbed of the Irish Revolution."*


There at City Hall, the Lord Mayor, Alderman Sean Casey, conferred the FREEDOM OF THE CITY upon JFK.

      JFK with Lord Mayor Sean Casey
                     Cork City Hall
                      June 28, 1963
         Photo by Robert Knudsen
               JFK Library Image


JFK took this opportunity to introduce his friend & assistant David Powers, who was sitting with seven 1st cousins, to the audience by saying:


"Dave looks more Irish than his cousins."


JFK also introduced Monsignor Michael O'Mahoney, the pastor of his church in Florida.  The President said:


"He is the pastor of a poor, humble flock in PALM BEACH..."


After CORK, JFK attended a luncheon at the American Embassy in Dublin & a memorial service at ARBOUR HILL, where the executed leaders of the 1916 EASTER RISING are buried.


At this service, the cadets from IRELAND'S MILITARY COLLEGE at THE CURRAGH performed.


JFK felt this was "the outstanding highlight of his visit."  He said:


"Those cadets were terrific.  I wish we had a film of that drill so that we could do something like it at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."**





*The Irish Rebellion of 1641 was the attempt by the Irish Catholic gentry to seize control of the government & force concessions in favor of Catholics under English rule.  


Cork became a stronghold for English protestants who sought refuge there after the revolt broke out.  


Since the 19th Century, Cork has been strongly in favor of Irish nationalism.


From the time of the POTATO FAMINE, Cork was the main port of emigrants from Ireland to the United States & other countries.





**JFK described the drill to Jackie when he returned to the USA & she arranged to have the same group of Irish cadets take part at the President's funeral service at Arlington.