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Boston College collection of President John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland

 Collection
Collection BC-2022-017: Boston College collection of President John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland

Dates

  • Creation: 1963 - 2013

Scope and Contents

Contains memoranda issued by leadership of the Irish national security force An Garda Síochána to officers regarding American president John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland in June 1963. Most document the logistics of deploying members for the event. One memorandum requests assistance monitoring two Russian journalists expected to attend and the removal of "playcards, slogans, or other offensive matter" that could negatively impact the image of the visit. Also includes a contemporary supplement to the Irish Independent regarding the visit, a video produced by The Irish Times for the 45th anniversary of the visit, and an Irish Times special issue from the 50th anniversary of the visit.

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research. The DVD is not available for playback due to format impermanence and has not been reformatted.

Restrictions on use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Historical note: An Garda Síochána

An Garda Síochána ("The Guardian of the Peace") is the national police and security service of Ireland. It was formed by the Irish Government following the July 1921 truce of the Irish Civil War to replace the Royal Irish Constabulary. The Dublin Metropolitan Police were merged into the Garda in 1925.

An Garda Síochána is the main law enforcement agency in the state, acting at local and national levels. Its roles include crime detection and prevention, drug enforcement, road traffic enforcement and accident investigation, diplomatic and witness protection responsibilities, and community policing services. The Garda is principally an unarmed force; detectives and units such as the regional Armed Support Units (ASU) and the national Emergency Response Unit (ERU) are commissioned to carry firearms.

An Garda Síochána is headed by the Garda Commissioner, who is appointed by the Irish Government. It is organized into four geographical regions: Eastern, North Western, Southern, and Dublin Metropolitan Region, in turn broken into divisions, districts and sub-districts. Additional units exist for specific areas of work such as Crime and Security Intelligence, Organized and Serious Crime, and Community Engagement and Roads Policing.

Sources:

"Garda Síochána." Wikipedia. December 20, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garda_S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na

"Organizational Structure." An Garda Síochána website. December 20, 2023. https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-history/

"Our History." An Garda Síochána website. December 20, 2023. https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-history/

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet (3 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection documents the Irish perspective on the visit of American President John F. Kennedy to the Republic of Ireland in June of 1963 through Irish national security memoranda, a contemporary newspaper special issue, and publications from the 45th and 50th anniversary of the visit.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Provenance

Purchased from Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers in 2021.

Title
Boston College collection of President John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland
Status
Completed
Subtitle
1963-2013
Author
Lynn Moulton
Date
2023 December
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository

Contact:
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861