merrion street

The Minister of State at the Department of Defence and Government Chief Whip, Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D., and a colour party of the Irish Defence Forces arrived in Dublin Airport this morning on their return from Arlington National Cemetery in Washington where a flame was taken from the Eternal Flame on the grave of President John F. Kennedy.

The Minister was greeted on his arrival by the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Mr. Dinny McGinley, T.D. and the Chargé d’Affaires from the U.S. Embassy, Mr. John Hennessey-Niland and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt. General Sean McCann. A ceremony took place where the colour party from the Irish Defence Forces passed over the flame to the Irish Naval Service. The Naval Service will take the flame from Dublin to New Ross onboard the LE Orla where it will be used by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D., Ms. Caroline Kennedy and Ms. Jean Kennedy-Smith to light the Emigrant Flame in a special ceremony on Saturday next, the 22 June.

Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D. stated

This flame will now continue on its journey in the safe hands of the Naval Service where it will be used to light an Emigrant Flame in New Ross on Saturday. I am delighted that the Defence Forces will participate further in the events arranged for the Kennedy Homestead, the JFK Arboretum and on the Quayside in New Ross on the 22nd June.

I particularly would like to thank the U.S. Embassy in Dublin for all their assistance in organising the events planned this week to commemorate the visit of President John F Kennedy to Ireland fifty years ago.

I would also like to thank the staff and children from Scoil Mhuire National School, Campile, New Ross who traveled up this morning from Wexford to witness this unique occasion. It is particularly poignant that some of their relatives were present fifty years ago in Dunganstown when President Kenndey visited the Homestead.