''GREAT DAMAGE TO BRITISH INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS"

A BLOODY SUNDAY IN DUBLIN

Dublin, Ireland (JFK+50) On November 21, 1920, more than thirty people died here in Dublin as a result of violence associated with the Irish War for Independence. 

In the morning hours, the Irish Republican Army* was responsible for the killing of British operatives living and working in the city.  Later in the afternoon, British forces killed civilians attending a Gaelic football match at Croke Park.

In the evening, two IRA members and one civilian was killed by their British captors at Dublin Castle**.

The date would be known in Irish history as 'Bloody Sunday,' and the IRA operation resulted in great damage to British intelligence operations in Ireland. 

*Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican parliamentary organization seeking to end British rule of Northern Ireland, re-unification of Ireland & formation of an independent Republic of Ireland.

**Dublin Castle is locate off Dame Street & was the seat of the British government's administration in Ireland until 1922. 

 

 

Bermingham Tower

Dublin Castle

Photo by Dicklyon (2017)

 www.wikimedia.org/

 

 

"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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