New Ross transforms itself for Kennedy visit

For one day only: South Street in New Ross town is Main Street U S of A.

“Come here to me,” says a man strolling along through the bunting and Americana, “where are you from?”

Dublin. Irish Times, I reply. Grand, says he, have a look at this. And he takes me gently by the arm and walks me up the street to look.

And there at the top of South Street, on a gable wall with a commanding view down the vista bedecked with Stars and Stripes, is a vast, enormous poster showing, on the left, a head and shoulders of JFK against a backdrop of the American flag. To the right, shoulder to shoulder with the late president, is local Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Sheehan, against a backdrop of the tricolour.

“You know,” says my guide, a local man it seems, “over the years, not many have compared themselves to the president. But sure there’s not a shirt made that’s big enough for that fellow’s neck,” he says, striding off very, very satisfied with his observation.

And he wasn’t referring to JFK, I’m fairly sure.

Kevin McCorrormack pulls his world about with him. It’s all there in various bags strapped to his wheelie-thing. He has a great unruly mop of salt and pepper hair. He wears a straw hat with a smart red band around it. His shoulders are also draped in red and he has a garland of plastic flowers around his neck.

With his white shirt and trousers he looks like Worzel Gummidge’s third cousin, the one who became a Morris Dancer.

But Kevin doesn’t dance. Or not so far as I know.

No, Kevin is a street entertainer with a musical puppet show and he’s looking for a good spot to set up for the day.

“I have Kennedy and Obama,” he announces. “Yep. Kennedy plays left hand guitar; Obama is on the drums.”

There is a suggestion in there somewhere that Marilyn Monroe is occasionally replaced in the ensemble by Michelle Obama. Which might cause a song and dance in at least two prominent American families and seriously undermine New Ross's good name across America.

Kevin obliges and poses for his photo outside Mary Finn’s woollen shop. It, like just about every outlet in the centre of New Ross, is bedecked with flags and her window sports one special item: a knitted stars and stripes.

They really feel for JFK here in the Co Wexford town and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Caroline Kennedy and family and her cousin, Sydney Lawford. The bond with the Kennedys is nowhere more apparent than in the Council Chamber inside the beautifully maintained old Tholsel.

There are no less than 35 framed photographs of JFK from his visit 50 years ago and they are screwed to the walls permanently.

“It’s like a shrine,” whispers the nice PR woman. “And it’s not just for now, you know. It’s been like this for ever.”