Surprise visit by a young Kennedy

January 1994

Patrick Kennedy, youngest son of Senator Edward Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, made a surprise visit to Wexford last week.

The 26-year-old paid a whistle-stop visit to Ireland to specifically see his ancestral home in Dunganstown and meet relatives.

His four-hour visit to the New Ross area last Friday retraced the steps of his late uncle John F. Kennedy, who came to New Ross as a young congressman on a famous 1947 visit before returning in 1963.

Patrick Kennedy is considered one of the rising stars in American politics. He is mooted to be the Democratic candidate in Rhode Island in the Congressional Elections to be held later this year, thus following in the footsteps of his uncle and his cousin Joe.

His first port of call on a beautiful Friday afternoon was the Kennedy Trust Centre on North Quay, where he met with Paddy Quinn and Sean Reidy of the Trust.

They updated him on progress to date and later said they were delighted with the young Kennedy’s enthusiastic support for the £3.5 million project. Patrick Kennedy said he would attend the fundraising dinner in Hartford, Connecticutt on March 18th and would assist in its preparation.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Hugh Byrne also met with Patrick Kennedy. Both of them discussed Anglo-Irish affairs and the prospects for peace in the North.

At the ancestral home, they met Mary Ann Ryan, Patrick Kennedy and June Hearn. Their American relative was warmly greeted and treated to tea. Young Patrick and Jim Grennon were also in attendance.

Patrick Kennedy said visiting his ancestral home and retracing his roots were very important to him. He showed great interest in the family tree.

Following this, Patrick paid a visit to the Arboretum.

He was accompanied by this relations, Sean Reidy, and Deputy Hugh Byrne. Chris Kelly gave a guided tour and the young Kennedy signed the visitor’s book.

Afterwards he travelled to Dublin where he met up with his family including Ambassador Jean Kennedy-Smith.