Ireland – Galway – JFK Visit to Eyre Square

Located in Eyre Square, which is also known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, is this monument to where the former President once gave an address to the people of Galway. Kennedy had spoken here on 29 June 1963 and the park was renamed in 1965 following his assassination in November 1963. The name hasn’t entirely stuck though and nearly every mention I’ve seen refers to the park as Eyre Square.

Kennedy came to Ireland in 1963 as part of a visit to his ancestral home and he was very well received, with large turnouts at the locations which he visited. Kennedy said:

“I must say that though other days may not be so bright, as we look toward the future, that the brightest days will continue to be those we spent with you here in Ireland.”

The audio of Kennedy’s speech in the park is available here at the web-site of the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.