Ballyvoloon in Cobh in County Cork, Munster, Ireland — Irish South-West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)
Páirc John F. Kennedy
⎯⎯⎯
John F Kennedy Park
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 15, 2026
1. Páirc John F. Kennedy / John F Kennedy Park Marker
Chuimhnigh Jacqueline, bean chéile an Uachtaráin John F Kennedy, ina dhiaidh sin gurbh é a chuairt ar Éirinn i mí an Mheithimh 1963 “an chuairt ba luachmhaire dó ná aon chuairt eile ina shaol”. Bhí an t-am a chaith an t-uachtarán i gCorcaigh curtha ar a chúrsa taistil ag an nóiméad deiridh agus d’aisloc Corparáid Chorcaí an moladh trí Shaoránach Onórach Chorcaí a dhéanamh dó agus saoirse Chorcaí aige.
Agus fáilte á cur roimhe, bhí neart le rá ag an Ardmhéara Seán Casey. Tar éis do éisteacht le hóráid a bhí díograiseach agus fada, d’fhreagair an t-uachtarán a raibh fonn gáire air “nár chaill na hÉireannaigh a gcumas labhartha”.
Go tochtmhar, thug an tUachtarán Kennedy ar aird go seolann “an chuid is mó de thíortha ola, cruach iarainn nó gual … ach níl ach aon onnmhairiú amháin ag Éirinn agus is é sin a mhuintir.”
President John F Kennedy’s wife Jacqueline later remembered that his visit to Ireland in June 1963 “meant more to him than any other in his life”. The president’s time in Cork was a last-minute addition to the itinerary and Cork Corporation repaid the compliment by making him an Honourary Freeman of Cork.
Welcoming him, Lord Mayor Sean Casey wasn’t stuck for words. After enduring a speech that was both enthusiastic and long, the amused president finally replied that “the Irish had not lost their ability to speak”.
More poignantly, President Kennedy went on to note that “Most countries send out oil, iron steel or coal… but Ireland has only one export and that is people.”
An Raibh a Fhios Agat? And Another Thing:
• Tar éis dó a fháil amach go raibh nasc aige le Corcaigh trína mháthair a bhí ina Fitzgerald, d’áitigh an tUachtarán Kennedy ar chuairt a thabhairt ar Chorcaigh le linn a thurais dheiridh go hÉirinn.
After discovering that he had links to Cork via his mother who was a Fitzgerald, President Kennedy insisted on visiting Cork during his final trip to Ireland.
• Ba é an cuairt i mí an Mheithimh 1963 an ceathrú chuairt a thug John F Kennedy ar Éirinn. Mar fheisire nach raibh aithne air, thiomáin sé é féin timpeall Dhún Garbhán ag lorg teach a muintire sa bhliain 1947.
The June 1963 visit was John F Kennedy’s fourth time in Ireland. As an unknown congressman, he drove himself around Dungarvan looking for his ancestral home in 1947.
• Bhronn captaen buíoch den HMS Himalaya an gunna airtléire a thaispeántar anseo i mbuíochas as an gcleachtadh a léiríodh le linn trupaí a chur ar bord. Gabhadh é ó trupaí na Rúise le linn Chogadh na Crímé sna 1850í.
The artillery gun displayed here was presented by the grateful captain of HMS Himalaya in gratitude for the efficiency shown in embarking troops. It was captured from Russian troops during the Crimean War in the 1850s.
(Captions)
Cuireadh fáilte mhór roimh an Uachtarán Kennedy ag Halla Cathrach Chorcaí an 28 Meitheamh 1963.
A warm welcome was extended to President Kennedy at Cork City Hall on 28 June 1963.
An long trúpa HMS Himalaya. Tar éis díchoimisiúnaithe, agus lonadh na Gearmáine á í-rú an Mheitheamh 1940.
The troop ship HMS Himalaya. After decommissioning, it was finally destroyed by German bombers in June 1940.
An tUachtarán John F Kennedy ag déanamh a óráid glactha tar éis Saoirse Chorcaí a bhronnadh air.
President John F Kennedy making his acceptance speech after being conferred with the Freedom of Cork.
An tUachtarán Kennedy le Méara Chorcaí Seán Casey agus Frank Aiken, Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha.
President Kennedy with Cork Mayor Seán Casey and Frank Aiken, Minister for External Affairs.
Erected by Fáilte
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1963.
Location. 51° 50.966′ N, 8° 17.747′ W. Marker is in Cobh, Munster, in County Cork. It is in Ballyvoloon. It can be reached from Westbourne Place just west of Casement Square, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8 Westbourne Pl, Cobh, Munster P24 E954, Ireland. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, on the Atlantic Arc, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Councillor Pat O'Mahony (within shouting distance of this marker); President John F. Kennedy Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Queen's Hotel (within
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 15, 2026
2. Páirc John F. Kennedy / John F Kennedy Park
A view of John F. Kennedy Park.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 15, 2026
3. John F Kennedy Park Bandstand
The marker can be seen in the photo on the promenade behind the bandstand.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
