THE John F. Kennedy Trust's Famine shipbuilding project, The Dunbrody, was formally launched yesterday by the US ambassador, Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith. The Dunbrody is the reconstruction in New Ross, Co Wexford, of a full scale, sea going famine ship. The great grandparents of the former American president emigrated to the US from New Ross in 1849.
The 150th anniversary of their departure will be marked in March 1999 when the new Dunbrody retraces the journey of the original famine ship in a voyage from New Ross to Boston.
The £4 million project is being funded by Bord Failte, commercial sponsors and FAS, which is supporting the JFK Trust in employing locals on building the ship.