Irish woman Dot was friends with US presidents, royalty

Members of the US political dynasty the Kennedys are to visit Ireland to open an exhibition about the late Dot Tubridy, who was a family friend. The exhibition includes letters from US presidents and celebrities, as well as taoisigh and royalty.

In May, Robert Kennedy’s daughter Courtney will open the ‘Dear Dot’ display of pictures and memorabilia from a collection of 10,000 pieces owned by Dot. Waterford Crystal will create a memorial piece to Dot, the first woman to present a bowl of shamrock to a US president. It will be inscribed with her favourite saying, ‘May the Road Rise With You and the Wind Be at Your Back’. Correspondence includes letters from JFK, Jackie and Ted Kennedy, as well as from crooners Bing Crosby and Andy Williams and Queen Elizabeth II.