merrion street

The official commemorative ceremony of the death of President John F. Kennedy was marked at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park and Arboretum in New Ross, Co. Wexford today (Friday 22 November 2013). The Defence Forces participated in the ceremony and provided an Honour Guard of Army Cadets.

The ceremony, attended by Mr. Brendan Howlin TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Paul Kehoe TD, Minister of State at the Departments of An Taoiseach and Defence was a formal wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a Minute of Silence. Commissioner John McMahon represented the Office of Public Works.

Speaking today Commissioner McMahon said “I am pleased that the Office of Public Works was also able to contribute to the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the visit of President Kennedy here in June 2013 by developing, in collaboration with Patrick Grennan, a member of the Kennedy family, the wonderful new Visitor Centre and Exhibition at the Kennedy homestead site. The OPW also opened a dynamic exhibition in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park and Arboretum which portrays some of the highlights of the Kennedy Presidency itself.”

-Ends-

For further information please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer at 046 9426128, 087 9475552 or colette.davis@opw.ie

Notes for Editors:

Official Commemorative Wreath-laying Ceremony: To mark the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy, a formal Military Ceremony was held at the JFK Memorial Park and Arboretum, New Ross. This comprised a wreath laying ceremony followed by a Minute of Silence.

Minister Brendan Howlin and Minister Paul Kehoe were in attendance.

Pictures of the Commemorative Ceremony will be available after the event from the following link:http://brownesphotography.photoshelter.com/gallery/Kennedy-Arboretum-50th-anniversary-of-President-Kennedys-death/G000023pjcFSdwK8