The 60th anniversary of an address to a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas by President John F. Kennedy has been marked with a breakfast hosted by the Cathaoirleach, Senator Jerry Buttimer, and attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and a member of the Kennedy family, among others.
As well as marking the historic speech by President Kennedy, the event served to celebrate the enduring strength of the connections between Ireland and the United States of America and was attended by members of the Irish-USA Parliamentary Friendship Group. H.E. Claire Cronin, Ambassador of the U.S. to Ireland, and Stephen Kennedy Smith, a member of the Kennedy family and board member of the John F. Kennedy Library, spoke at the event. They were accompanied by Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association.
Stephen Kennedy Smith speaks at the event
Speaking at the breakfast, the Cathaoirleach said: "60 years ago President Kennedy became the first foreign leader to address the Houses of the Oireachtas. It was one of many firsts for President Kennedy. As the youngest elected president in the history of the United States, he embodied the American spirit of opportunities for all."
The occasion of President Kennedy's speech was also marked with a viewing of the newly restored flag of "the Fighting Sixty-Ninth", which was originally gifted to the Irish people by Kennedy during his address. After a period of restoration, the flag has once again been returned to the Oireachtas.
US Ambassador Claire Cronin at the event