Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny launches JFK50 for 2013

The Irish-America of today is very similar to the way it was in President Kennedy's time - and in the 80s - in that it still largerly supports Reunification of the homeland and the preservation of what is left of the native culture, including teanga na nGael. Twice in the 80s, the government in Dublin boycotted the NYC St. Patrick Day parade because it disaproved of the democratically elected Grand Marshals. Then in 2011 the Presendent of the Irish state refused to be the parade's Grand Marshal. Many of those who now wield power in the Dáil seen to have conveniently forgotten the many latters stuffed with dollars sent by recent emigrants to their families in Ireland in the 60s and 70s, (including allounces from those serving as draftees in the U.S. Army), thereby helping to improve the economy of the Irish state. At that time misleading journalists and Partionist politicians called us "misinformed malcontents", "sentimental fools", "bloddy idiots" and worse. However, despite the contempt and ridicule to which we have been for long subjected, some of us still hope and pray that the Irish nation as a whole will prosper economically, culturally and in every other way and that peace will prevail throughout the land.

I'd never seen this video, very nice! Thanks for showing it.

I'm coming in 2012 to avoid gouging!

I trust this whole "Gathering" is not going to be used to detract from the centenary of the Great Dublin Lock Out an Strike of labour history, or the sociospiritual connection of Irish-America exploited for vulgar material gain. (Little point in fixing the economy if the casino capitalists of the banking sector are allowed plunder the exchequer again.) Still, newsreel footage very nostalgic. And good to see De Valera himself, one of the few survivors of the 1916 Rising - and a Yank himself (Cubano-New Yorker)! Impressive Guard of Honour by Irish Army at the old Dublin Airpiort terminal, (all when I was just 7 years old, and feintly remembered still!)

I suppose it may be worth a tourist dollar or two.