"JFK WAS HAPPY & SO WERE THE PEOPLE OF GALWAY"

JFK SEES THE SUN GO DOWN ON GALWAY BAY

Galway, Ireland (JFK+50) On June 29, 1963, President John F. Kennedy traveled to Galway where he was greeted by more than 300 children from the Convent of Mercy School.  The children, dressed in the Irish tricolors "formed up to create the impression of a large flag (of Ireland) laid out on the ground." 

The children sang "Galway Bay" for JFK...

"If you ever go across the sea to Ireland

There maybe at the closing of your day

You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh

And see the sun go down on Galway Bay."

Later, speaking at EYRE SQUARE, now John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, JFK said:

"If the day was clear enough and if you went down to the bay and looked west and your sight was good enough, you would see Boston, Massachusetts."

The President, who was presented with "The Key to the City," added...

"If you ever come to America, come to Washington, and tell them if they wonder who you are at the gate that you come from Galway.  The word will be out, and when you do, there will be a cead mile failte, which means in Gaelic 'a hundred thousand welcomes.'"

As JFK rode down SHOP STREET in Galway, he was greeted by thousands of admirers including Maura McSharry who later wrote...

"The President of the United States in Galway, in Shop Street, being driven slowly past our famous bookshop O'Gormans and I was there.  He was dazzling with his broad Kennedy smile and deep tan.  It was unbelievable, it still is.

He was happy, and so were the people of Galway.  JFK wanted us to share in the glory of his Presidency.  He felt safe and relaxed in our company and we were honoured by his presence.  

It was a wonderful day.  Not even the heartbreaking tragedy which befell him five months later could ever destroy the memories of the friendship he shared with us so generously during his unforgettable visit to Ireland."

SOURCES

"JFK HOMECOMING: President John F. Kennedy in Ireland, June 1963," National Library of Ireland, US Embassy in Dublin, JFK Library in Boston, National Archives and RTE Archives.

www.jfk50.ireland.com

"One of Ourselves, JFK in Ireland" by James Robert Carroll (2003)

National Flag 

& Map of Ireland

Charlotte Street Park

Charleston, S.C. 

Photo by John White (2013)

I CERTAINLY WILL COME BACK IN THE SPRINGTIME

JFK VISITS GALWAY & BIDS IRELAND FAREWELL AT SHANNON

Galway (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy arrived here in Galway 55 years ago today, June 29, 1963.   The President was greeted by 320 children from the Convent of Mercy School.   The children, dressed in green, white and gold sang "Galway Bay" for President Kennedy.

Later, speaking at Eyre Square, now John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, JFK said..."If the day was clear enough and if you went down to the bay and looked west and your sight was good enough, you would see Boston, Massachusetts."

JFK bade farewell at Shannon Airport where he spoke from his heart...

"Last night somebody sang a song...'Come back to Erin....come back aroun' to the land of thy birth. Come back with the shamrock in the springtime....'

This is not the land of my birth, but it is the land for which I hold the greatest affection, and I certainly will come back in the springtime."

SOURCE

"One of Ourselves, JFK in Ireland" by James Robert Carroll (2003)

John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Marker

 Galway, Ireland

 

JFK VISITS MEXICO CITY

JFK AND 1ST LADY VISIT MEXICO CITY

Mexico City, Mexico (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy and First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, arrived here in Mexico City 52 years ago today, June 29, 1962.

The Kennedys were welcomed by a million and a half people who lined the streets for the nine mile long motorcade through the city.

JFK was greeted by President Adolfo Lopez Mateos. The two national leaders conferred at Los Pinos, the residence of the Mexican president.

JFK said:

"Our two country's revolutions have now been joined as one, one great effort, one great continent, in one great Alianza para el Progreso.  Viva Mexico!"

Jackie Speaks in Spanish in Mexico

June 30, 1962

Photo by Robert Knudsen

JFK Library Image

JFK VISITED GALWAY 51 YEARS AGO TODAY

Galway, Ireland (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy arrived here in Galway 51 years ago today, June 29, 1963.

The President, who was not accompanied on the European trip by his wife,  was greeted by 320 children from the Convent of Mercy School.

The children, dressed in green, white and gold sang "Galway Bay" for President Kennedy.

"If you ever go across the sea to Ireland
There maybe at the closing of your day
You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh
And see the sun go down on Galway Bay."

Ballyknow Quay

River Corrib

Galway, Ireland

Photo by Greg O'Beirn (1999)

Later, speaking at Eyre Square, now John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, JFK said:

"If the day was clear enough and if you went down to the bay and looked west and your sight was good enough, you would see Boston, Massachusetts."

John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Marker
                 Galway, Ireland

The President was presented with "The Key to the City".

JFK bade farewell at Shannon Airport where he spoke from his heart:

"Last night somebody sang a song...

'Come back to Erin....come back aroun' to the land of thy birth. Come back with the shamrock in the springtime....'

This is not the land of my birth, but it is the land for which I hold the greatest affection, and I certainly will come back in the springtime."

As the President boarded Air Force One, a choir sang "Come Back to Erin"

 

John F. Kennedy would be unable to make good on his promise to return "in the springtime."

Presidential assistant and part of the "Irish Mafia," Lawrence O'Brien said later...

"If there was a dry eye at the airport, I missed it."*

SOURCE

"One of Ourselves, JFK in Ireland" by James Robert Carroll (2003)

Limerick, Ireland on the River Shannon
         Photo by Santiperez (2007)

JFK "CAME BACK TO ERIN" 50 YEARS AGO TODAY

June 29, 2013

JFK "CAME BACK TO ERIN" 50 YEARS AGO TODAY, VISITED GALWAY AND LIMERICK

Galway and Limerick, Ireland (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy traveled to GALWAY 50 years ago on June 29, 1963, where he was greeted by more than 300 children from the Convent of Mercy School.

The children, dressed in the Irish tricolors "formed up to create the impression of a large flag (of Ireland) laid out on the ground." 

               National Flag of Ireland
                 Charlotte Street Park
                       Charleston, SC
           Photo by John White (2013)

The children sang "Galway Bay" for JFK:

"If you ever go across the sea to Ireland
There maybe at the closing of your day
You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh
And see the sun go down on Galway Bay."

                         Ballyknow Quay
                            River Corrib
                         Galway, Ireland
              Photo by Greg O'Beirn (1999)

Later, speaking at EYRE SQUARE, now John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, JFK said:

"If the day was clear enough and if you went down to the bay and looked west and your sight was good enough, you would see Boston, Massachusetts."

         John F. Kennedy Memorial Park
                         Galway, Ireland

The President, who was presented with "The Key to the City," added...

"If you ever come to America, come to Washington, and tell them if they wonder who you are at the gate that you come from Galway.  The word will be out, and when you do, there will be a cead mile failte, which means in Gaelic 'a hundred thousand welcomes.'"

As JFK rode down SHOP STREET in Galway, he was greeted by thousands of admirers including Maura McSharry who later wrote...

"The President of the United States in Galway, in Shop Street, being driven slowly past our famous bookshop O'Gormans and I was there.

He was dazzling with his broad Kennedy smile and deep tan.  It was unbelievable, it still is.

He was happy, and so were the people of Galway.  JFK wanted us to share in the glory of his Presidency.  He felt safe and relaxed in our company and we were honoured by his presence.  

It was a wonderful day.  Not even the heartbreaking tragedy which befell him five months later could ever destroy the memories of the friendship he shared with us so generously during his unforgettable visit to Ireland."

                       Irish Memorial 
                 Charlotte Street Park
                      Charleston, SC
          Photo by John White (2013)

From Galway, President Kennedy traveled to LIMERICK, his last stop on the Ireland tour. 

Many Fitzgerald cousins were on hand as Lord Mayor Frances Condell made JFK a FREEMAN of Limerick City.

JFK said...

"Last night somebody sang a song...

'Come back to Erin....come back aroun' to the land of thy birth. 
 Come back with the shamrock in the springtime....'

This is not the land of my birth, but it is the land for which I hold the greatest affection, and I certainly will come back in the springtime."

As the President boarded Air Force One, a choir sang "Come Back to Erin".  

At 2:30 p.m., JFK left Ireland and Larry O'Brien said:

"If there was a dry eye at the airport, I missed it."

As President John F. Kennedy departed Ireland he carried in his pocket a telegram from President de Valera.  It read...

"Your visit has been a source of joy and pride to all the people of Ireland and to all their kin throughout the world."

SOURCES

"JFK HOMECOMING: President John F. Kennedy in Ireland, June 1963," National Library of Ireland, US Embassy in Dublin, JFK Library in Boston, National Archives and RTE Archives.

www.jfk50.ireland.com

"One of Ourselves, JFK in Ireland" by James Robert Carroll (2003)

                   Limerick, Ireland 
         Photo by Santiperez (2007)