Upbeat Enda borrows a few words from JFK to flatter next generation of Kennedys
It was a poignant sight. Joe Kennedy was standing behind Enda, silently watching grainy footage of his grand-uncle then US President John F Kennedy taking his leave of the Irish almost 50 years ago, and promising with a flash of that dazzling wide smile, "I'll certainly come back in the springtime".
Five months later, he was dead.
But although Camelot died that fateful day in Dallas, the Kennedy name remained an omnipresent and powerful force in American politics, until a year ago when the retirement of Patrick Kennedy seemed to herald an end to the famous political dynasty. But then on Thursday, 31-year old Joe Kennedy III, son of former politician Joe Kennedy and grandson of former US attorney general Robert Kennedy, announced that he was running for Congress in Massachusetts following the retirement of Democrat Barney Frank.
And with something which surely was more than passing serendipity, the tall, skinny, ginger-haired scion of America's most famous Irish-American family, announced his candidacy for the race on the day of the Taoiseach's arrival in Boston.
And so a posse of photographers greeted Enda as he arrived at the JFK Library and Museum, where he was greeted by Joe and also by Stephen Smith, son of Jean Kennedy Smith, former US ambassador to Ireland.
Enda was taken on a tour of the museum, and he and Joe chatted as they walked through corridors of photos and videos of the late president, his wife Jackie and Joe's own father, Bobby.
And the latest recruit to the political dog-fight of American politics is the spit of his grand-dad, with his thick mop of wavy red hair and sharp features.
It's a fascinating trip through an extraordinary life, and the Taoiseach was shown the sword of George Washington -- a replica of which was presented by President Kennedy to Taoiseach Sean Lemass who accepted it on behalf of President Eamon de Valera.
And then the group stood in silence and watched footage from Kennedy's visit to Ireland in the summer of 1963, and his carefree pledge to return.
The Taoiseach was clearly fascinated, and expressed his appreciation in his speech at the lunch in the museum which had been organised by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA for more than 200 business people.
"You have no idea of the privilege it is for me, both as a person and also as Taoiseach, to stand here against this magnificent backdrop in this wonderful location in this magnificent building of such historical import," he began.
"I was 12 when I heard the news that Lancer was down," he said, referring to the late president's Secret Service moniker. "I was learning my Latin and I know that hundreds of millions of others will remember where they were. I think that President Kennedy embodies the success story of the Irish in America and the great links between our two countries," he said.
'For those of you who don't know me, I actually learned off the inauguration address by heart many years ago -- I'm not going to give it to you today, but I'll give you a quotation from John F Kennedy when he said, 'All of us of Irish descent are bound together by the ties that come from a common experience -- an experience which may exist only in memories and in legend but which is real enough to those who possess it'."
Although the Taoiseach's speech was the now characteristic upbeat message about how Ireland Inc is open for business, Enda knew that a few glowing words about the local lad wouldn't go amiss -- especially as he was topping polls for the race hours after he announced that his hat was in the Congressional ring.
"I had a few words with young Joe, he's already gone ahead in the polls, but I told him not to mind those things," he added.
"If he needs any advice on how to do this job. I've been on the circuit for a very long time. If you ever step into the arena of having to take a party demoralised and crushed by their own fears and go on to lead that to victory and have belief that you can actually make it -- give me a call sometime," he said as laughter rose from the room.
And he finished by reminding the audience that next year is the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's visit to Ireland.
"I do hope that we can do something together to commemorate that fabulous visit which transformed Ireland and which gave our people a sense of spirit and hope and confidence," he said.
As Enda finished, Joe was first to his feet to applaud him, flashing that big ol' family smile.
This indeed could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Irish Independent
