HUNDREDS OF townspeople joined dignitaries at a memorial Mass for US senator Ted Kennedy in New Ross, Co Wexford, yesterday.
President Mary McAleese and US ambassador Dan Rooney attended the Mass celebrated by Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns.
Ministers of State Dr Martin Mansergh and Dick Roche also attended. New Ross town council arranged the Mass to “mourn the passing of a friend” and to cement the strong ties between the Kennedy family and their ancestral hometown.
The late senator’s great grandfather, Patrick Kennedy, emigrated to Boston in the mid-19th century and the family homestead at the nearby townland of Dunganstown continues to be a popular tourist attraction.
During the Mass, local cousins of the Kennedy family brought gifts to the altar, including a painting by the senator of the house at Dunganstown.
Mr Rooney said afterwards it was a beautiful service and a great tribute to Ted Kennedy whom he knew very well.
Last year a statue of JFK was unveiled in New Ross while outside the town there is a 600-acre park and arboretum dedicated to his memory.
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