unveiled to mark 1963 visit

ONE OF the most important milestones in New Ross' history was created on Sunday with the unveiling of a magnificent commemorative statue to mark the 45th anniversary of President Kennedy's visit to the town.

Up to one thousand people gathered on the quayside on Sunday afternoon to witness the late President's sister, Jean Kennedy Smith, unveil a life-sized statue dedicated to the memory and legacy of her brother.

Master of Ceremonies, Gay Byrne, who covered President Kennedy's New Ross address as a young reporter, welcomed the throngs of people by sharing his fond memories of JFK's visit to New Ross in 1963.

President Kennedy told us that 'this trip has taken 6,000 miles, three generations and 115 years. Today on behalf of New Ross Town Council I can say that this piece of sculpture has taken 45 years, nine terms of New Ross Town Council and 495 Town Council meetings...This Council and my fellow Councillors can be proud that this project has come to fruition in our term of office,' said the Cathaoirleach, Ray Lawlor.

In one hundred years from now when the citizens of New Ross, our children's children gather to celebrate the centenary of the unveiling of this sculpture let them celebrate and remember the people of New Ross for our foresight and courage in embracing change with the ability to move forward together for the future,' he added, before the Minister for Finance, Brain Lenihan addressed the crowd.

I cannot image how it must feel for Ambassador Kennedy Smith to be standing here today 45 years after she stood on these quays beside her brother, the then President of the United States for what has happened in the life of her family since then it must be quite overwhelming,' said the Minister for Finance.

Ann Meldon Hugh, who said she was absolutely thrilled' to have won the statue commission, spent the past year working on this sculpture.

I wanted to commemorate the day. The visit to New Ross for John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a personal and a emotional visit for him and that is what I wanted to convey...I just decided I'd try and conjure the whole emotion and feeling of the visit and to express his enthusiasm and friendliness....but also to put behind him memories and representations of that day,' said Ann.

A recorded address by an Taoiseach Brian Cowen, in which he spoke of his disappointment of not being there, was played to the assembled crowd, before the Guest of Honour addressed the delighted crowd.

Thank you so much for coming here today it brings back wonderful memories for me,' said the former Ambassador to Ireland, who recalled her brother's visit to New Ross.

It was a remarkable trip in so many ways...it was the first time a sitting American President visited Ireland and it was the first time that I travelled with my brother to our ancestral home. I felt I knew the people of New Ross before I ever arrived...It is a time I have cherished ever since and I know my brother felt the same way. He enjoyed his trip to Ireland more than any other of his Presidency...This was the best trip he ever had - there is no doubt in any of our minds just how much of an impact that visit had on him,' said Jean Kennedy Smith, who was presented with a limited edition statue of her late brother by Cathaoirleach Ray Lawlor for the Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston.

The Holy Family Confraternity Band and the New Ross RDF Pipe Band, along with a band from Finland added to the jubilant atmosphere throughout Sunday afternoon.