JFK WELCOMES IRISH PM TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 15, 1963, John F. Kennedy, the 1st American president of Irish descent, welcomed Sean Lemass*, Prime Minister of Ireland, to the White House. The PM, who was elected in 1959, had been a participant in the Easter Rising, the Irish War for Independence and the Irish Civil War.
President Kennedy said...
"This is a great day for the Americans. It is with the greatest pride and satisfaction that I welcome you to the United States.
You come as the leader of a sovereign country...to which I can attest from personal experience, which bears the United States the greatest good will and which bears the strongest and most fraternal bonds of friendship."
JFK, the first POTUS to visit Ireland during his term of office, continued...
"The three days...which we spent in Ireland this summer are among the warmest memories of our lives, and it is...a great pleasure to have a small chance to show...our great appreciation to the Irish people for they are doing now not only in their own country but in all parts of the world."
The welcoming event took place on the South Lawn of the White House at 10:40 a.m. Washington time. Prime Minister Lemass was also given full military honors.
*Sean Lemass (1899-1971) was born in Dublin and educated at O'Connell School. He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1915. During WWII, he served as Minister for Supplies and became PM of Ireland in 1959. He retired on the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 15, 1963, John F. Kennedy, the 1st American president of Irish descent, welcomed Sean Lemass*, Prime Minister of Ireland, to the White House. The PM, who was elected in 1959, had been a participant in the Easter Rising, the Irish War for Independence and the Irish Civil War.
President Kennedy said...
"This is a great day for the Americans. It is with the greatest pride and satisfaction that I welcome you to the United States.
You come as the leader of a sovereign country...to which I can attest from personal experience, which bears the United States the greatest good will and which bears the strongest and most fraternal bonds of friendship."
JFK, the first POTUS to visit Ireland during his term of office, continued...
"The three days...which we spent in Ireland this summer are among the warmest memories of our lives, and it is...a great pleasure to have a small chance to show...our great appreciation to the Irish people for they are doing now not only in their own country but in all parts of the world."
The welcoming event took place on the South Lawn of the White House at 10:40 a.m. Washington time. Prime Minister Lemass was also given full military honors.
*Sean Lemass (1899-1971) was born in Dublin and educated at O'Connell School. He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1915. During WWII, he served as Minister for Supplies and became PM of Ireland in 1959. He retired on the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Map of Ireland (2006)
by Jonto at en.wikipedia
