MEMORIES OF the late Senator Ted Kennedy's visits to County Wexford are flooding back this week.

Huge fanfare greeted the late Senator when he arrived in Gorey and New Ross in 1962 in a visit that paved the way for his brother, the late John F. Kennedy's famous visit the following year.

His cousins in his ancestral home in Dunganstown greeted him with open arms when he paid a visit to the birthplace of his great-grandfather Patrick Kennedy.

While in the home place he sat down at the fireside and a scene that was to be replicated in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy sat with Mrs. Ryan in 1963.

Following the late Senator's visit the scene and the excitement was mounting for his brother's visit the following year.

Senator Kennedy again returned to Ireland in June 1964 and the Town Council of the time thought it fitting to invite him to New Ross.

Just a few years later, in March 1970, crowds assembled by the former Irish Driver Harris building on John Street awaiting the Senator's arrival.

'The people of the town were encouraged to go up and meet Senator Kennedy at Irish Driver Harris on John Street and we marched to the Tholsel and he marched with us as well,' recalled Paddy Doyle, who was a Labour Councillor at the time.

The Urban Council hosted a Civic Reception in his honour in the Council Chamber and Senator Kennedy signed the Visitors Book.

Senator Ted Kennedy again returned to New Ross in 1985, where he touched down in a helicopter – a scene that will remain firmly in minds of all those who were there at the time.

While in New Ross he addressed crowds from the steps of the Royal Hotel on North Street and arrived by helicopter to the John F Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown to visit his cousins.

In a letter to his cousin Mary Ann Ryan, following his 1985 visit, Senator Kennedy stated that he always cherished his visits to Ireland.

- Elaine FURLONG