JFK’s nephew back in ‘old country’ to launch highlight of The Gathering

Over 160 years after Patrick Kennedy left Ireland to seek a new life across the Atlantic, his namesake and descendant was back in the ‘old country’ yesterday morning to launch one of the highlights of The Gathering schedule.

That move on an emigrant ship by Patrick Kennedy resulted in one of the most famous and successful of all Irish-American families and, in tribute to the Kennedys in general and the late president John F Kennedy in particular, a series of celebrations takes place next month in Co Wexford.

The event will not only form part of The Gathering but will also mark 50 years since the president made his famous visit to the family homestead in Dunganstown, to nearby New Ross and other parts of Ireland, just months before his assassination.