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President John F. Kennedy Honors American Revolution Naval Hero John Barry in Wexford on June 27, 1963

JFK lays wreath at John Barry Memorial in Ireland, Photo Courtesy of JFK Library

President John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland on June 26-29, 1963 was later described by his siblings as one of the most memorable and cherished parts of his presidency.  Kennedy visited his ancestral family in Wexford and Limerick, and also stopped in Dublin, Cork and Galway. The trip was widely covered by the international media and it captured the world's imagination.

In New Ross, Wexford, the ancestral home of the Kennedy family, JFK told an overflowing audience, "I'm glad to be here. It took me 115 years to make this trip, and 6,000 miles and three generations. But I am proud to be here and I appreciate the warm welcome you have given to all of us. When my great grandfather left here to become a cooper in East Boston, he carried nothing with him except two things a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty."

Following his speech in New Ross, the Kennedy entourage visited the Town of Wexford  to pay tribute to Commodore John Barry,  a hero of President Kennedy, whose role in the American Revolution was paramount.

In Wexford, Mayor Thomas Byrne and local officials named President Kennedy an Honorary Freeman, and presented him with a Freedom of Wexford chest. President Kennedy spoke before the assembled guests at Redmond Square, and then placed a wreath at the John Barry Memorial on Crescent Quay.

"I'm glad to take part in this ceremony this morning for John Barry," said President Kennedy. "I've had in my office since I was President the flag that he flew and the sword that he wore. It is no coincidence that John Barry and a good many of his successors played such a leading role in the American struggle not only for independence, but for its maintenance."

Kennedy's affection for and affiliation with John Barry was shaped by their shared Irish heritage, Catholic faith and military experience. Barry was born in Tacumshane, Wexford,  in 1745, about 35 miles from the Kennedy homestead,  and emigrated to America at age 15 and became a successful ship merchant based in Philadelphia.  

At the start of the American Revolution, John Barry was commissioned by George Washington to command Brig Lexington, the first ship to fly the American flag and named for the first battle of the war in Lexington, Massachusetts. In April, 1776, Lexington captured the British ship Edward, marking the first American naval victory in the American Revolution. From there Barry participated in numerous battles throughout the war, including land battles in Trenton and Princeton.  After the war, in 1794 when the American navy was being reorganized, Barry was promoted as Commodore, which he held until his death on Sept 13, 1803. 

John Barry portrait by Gilbert Stuart

In addition to Barry’s sword and flag that JFK proudly displayed at the White House was a portrait of Commodore Barry, painted by Gilbert Stuart in Cross Hall.  See more Barry artifacts at the JFK Library.

In September 2023, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum the Barry cutlass to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. The sword went on display on September 13, 2023, the anniversary of Barry’s death, through July 2024.

For more information about President Kennedy and his family, visit the JFK Presidential Library in Boston, the JFK Museum in Hyannis, Cape Cod, and the JFK Birthplace in Brookline.  You can also explore additional Kennedy Landmarks in Massachusetts, compiled by Boston Irish Tourism Association.

Learn more about Boston Irish history by visiting the Irish Heritage Trail. 

Research + Text, Michael Quinlin





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