Press copy of President John F. Kennedy's address to the Irish Parliament, 28 June 1963

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 28, 1963 sorto OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY son (Dublin, Ireland) THE WHITE HOUSE oren Vas of REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT 5501 TO A JOINT SESSTON OF THE DAIL, AND SEANAD, LEINSTER HOUSE DUBLIN, IRELAND (AS ACTUALLY DELIVERED) Mr. Speaker, Prime Minister, Members of the fare Parliament: grateful for your welcome and for that of your countrymen. aud The 13th day of September, 1862, will long remembered in American history. At Fredericksburg, Maryland, thousands Pfought and diad on one of the a bloodiest battlefields of the America Civil War One of the most brilliant stories of that day was written by a band of 1200 men tho went into battle wearing a greensprieintheir hats. They bore proud heritage and al special courage given to those who had long fought for the cause of freedom. I am referring, of course, to the Irish Brigade. General Robert - 809 E. Lee, the great military leader of the Southern Confederate forces, said of this group of men efter the battle, "The gal- this bold brigade made on the heights of 'redericksburg is well'known. Neveriwere men'so brave.wo They enbloed their gallantzy on (that des- perate occasion. Their brilliant though hopeless assaults on our lines excited the hearty applause of our officers and soldiers. 300 ni or the 1200 men who took part in that assault, 280 - survived the battle. The Irish Brigade "was led into battle n that occasion by Brigadier General Thomas F. Meagher, who had participated in the unsuccessful Irish uprising of 1848, was captured by the British and sent in a prison ship to Australia, from whence he finally came to Anerica. In the -IT fall of 1862, after serving with distinction and gallantry del in some of the toughest fighting of this most bloody struggle, Irish Brigade was presented with a new set of flags. In the city ceremony, the Sitychamberlaingave them the motto "The Union, and Ireland Forever." Their old 9011 ones having been torn'to shreds by bullets in previous battles, Captain Richard McGee took possession of these flags on September 2nd in New York City and arrived with them at stor the Battle of Fredericksburg and carried them in the battle. it Today, in recognition these gallant Irishmen and aus what millions of other Irish have done for my country, and over through the generosity of the Fighting 69th, I would like to Vipresent one of these flags to the people of Ireland. nese HOY ad V.00 DAS you can see, gentlemen, the battle honors of the Brigade includeFrederioksburg, Chancellorsville, York- town, Fair Oaks, Gaines Hill, Allen's Farm, Savage's Station, White Oak Bridge, Glendale, Malvern Hills, Antietam, Getts- burg, and Bristoe'sStation.o ovan soned 10 elgosg 963 I am deeply honored to be your guest in the Free -DIF Parliament of a Firee Ireland. If this nation had achieved its present/political deconomic stature a century or so my great grandfather might never have left New Ross, and [ might, if fortunate, be sitting down there withiyou. Of course. if your own President had never left Brooklyn, boyoThe might be standing up here instead of me. rua vateed -110.0 5% bus MORE (OVER)