Patrick Kennedy launches official Kennedy Homestead website and brochure
Special guest Patrick Kennedy, son of the late Senator Ted Kennedy and himself a former member of the United States House of Representatives, attended the official launch of the Kennedy Homestead website (www.kennedyhomestead.ie) and brochure in New Ross, Co Wexford.
Patrick Grennan, curator of the Kennedy Homestead, pictured with his fourth cousin Patrick Kennedy, son of the late Senator Ted Kennedy and a former member of the United States House of Representatives.
The Kennedy Homestead is a new visitor attraction and exhibition centre, currently finishing construction, which is situated beside the original farm house at Dunganstown where President John F. Kennedy’s great grandfather, also named Patrick Kennedy, was born and lived before he emigrated to the United States from the Quayside of New Ross in 1948.
It was also the location for President John F. Kennedy’s iconic visit to have tea with his Irish relatives during his state visit to Ireland in 1963. The interpretative exhibit explores the circumstances of Patrick Kennedy’s departure from Ireland in 1848 and pieces together the story of the most famous Irish-American family through the 20th century and on to the present day. The new Kennedy Homestead Visitor Centre will be opened on the 22nd June next by Caroline Kennedy and Taoiseach Enda Kenny to mark the 50th Anniversary of President Kennedy’s visit.
Speaking at the launch of the Kennedy Homestead website and brochure, Patrick Kennedy stated, “It is a truly celebratory occasion to be here today. We are delighted with the fantastic new Kennedy Homestead website and brochure. The Kennedy Homestead contains so many memories of our family’s history and it means the world to us that it is being transformed into a new visitor attraction and exhibition centre. It is so fitting that the Kennedy Homestead will be officially opened on the 50th Anniversary of President Kennedy’s visit to Ireland.”
Patrick Grennan, third cousin of President John F. Kennedy and curator of the exhibition at the new Kennedy Homestead Visitor Centre, who now lives with his young family at the site of the homestead in Dunganstown, was also there to mark the launch.
Patrick Kennedy was today briefed on plans by New Ross Town Council and Wexford County Council to host a series of events throughout the month of June to mark the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s visit to the town. This will include a special parade, an open-air evening concert and the lighting by Caroline Kennedy and Taoiseach Enda Kenny of an Emigrant Flame on the New Ross Quayside.
Patrick Kennedy returns next month with his family, as part of a gathering of 30 of the extended Kennedy family, including Caroline Kennedy and Jean Kennedy Smith, who will be travelling to New Ross to mark the 50th Anniversary of JFK’s visit on 22nd June.
Work on the new Kennedy Homestead Visitor Centre is being undertaken by the OPW on behalf of the state and is progressing well on schedule for its June 22nd opening.
For more information visit www.kennedyhomestead.ie
www.facebook.com/TheKennedyHomestead
Twitter – @JFKHomestead
