In June 1963, President of the United States of America, John F. Kennedy, global inspirational leader, returned to the nation of his forebears and his ancestral home in New Ross, Wexford and ignited the spirit of a nation.
50 years on New Ross celebrates and remembers this momentous occasion in Ireland’s social and political history and realises the possibility inspired by President Kennedy during his visit to New Ross. The Town realises John F. Kennedy’s dream of returning to Ireland by bringing The Eternal Flame from the Arlington Cemetery in Washington home to Ireland, to burn forever brightly on the newly developed quayside at New Ross.
On the 27th June, 1963, President John F. Kennedy said,
“I want to express my pleasure at being back from whence I came….”
The JFK 50 promises a series of highlight events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the JFK visit to Ireland. These events;
- recall the JFK homecoming and how he captivated the spirit a nation;
- bring home The Gathering Torch
- honour John F. Kennedy’s memory and his inspirational leadership;
- create a sense of place for visitors to the Kennedy Homestead and lineage in Dunganstown;
- reignite the potential of Ireland’s global reach through its Diaspora;
- remember and mark the tragedy of his untimely death in November 1963,
- and create a tangible legacy of the 1963 visit for a global audience.
Click here for the Programme of Events
Why not come home and visit New Ross during 2013 and join in the Homecoming Celebrations and be part of the 50th Anniversary of the visit to New Ross of President John F. Kennedy.
The Homecoming Celebrations have already commenced and will continue throughout 2013, with the main events planned for 29th May – 4th July 2013.
Join us to remember this great man of our times. Visit Wexford and New Ross in 2013 to remember a man whose words still resonate with us today.
Great year ahead for New Ross……. Hope to see many old friends returning for the celebrations in 2013.