“If the day was clear enough and if you went down to the Bay and you looked west and your sight was good enough, you would see Boston, Massachusetts. And if you did, you would see working on the docks there - O’Dohertys, Flahertys and Ryans and cousins of yours who have gone to Boston and made good.”
So spoke JFK in his address on Eyre Square, to the people of Galway on June 27, 1963. Documentary makers Pamela Finn and SJF Productions are producing Three Miles, a 2023 documentary, marking the 60th anniversary of JFK’s visit to the city.
Galway-based producer and presenter Pamela Finn has merged her PR skills with directing and has since then has gone on to create and produce shows for RTE, World Skills Live in Russia and most recently a documentary for Creative Ireland about Saint Colmcille.
In June 1963, JFK visited Ireland as President of the United States. He was the first head of state to visit Ireland, a country that had been proclaimed as a Republic fourteen years earlier. A country in which there were only 2.9 million people left, with a million born within, living in the UK.
JFK’s trip would have huge ramifications in terms of American interest, corporate investment and tourism into Ireland. The President’s trip was a whirlwind tour that crammed a glut of ceremonies into a few days. The entourage travelled across Dublin, down to Wexford and over to Cork, Limerick and Galway. Three Miles will recreate the magical hour that he was in Galway.
320 children from the Convent of Mercy, dressed in waterproof capes of green, white and gold formed a massive Irish flag that the President viewed from his helicopter, as he landed at the Sportsground.
Thirty members of the American Legion and Mayor of Galway, Alderman Patrick Ryan met with the President, before an open Cadillac led a procession of cars with Garda outriders down College Road onto Eyre Square, where tens of thousands of people gathered. Ruth Bradley played the harp and sang accompanied by the Patrician Boys choir.
After delivering an emotive speech, the JFK cavalcade made its way down Shop Street, Mainguard Street, onto Dominick Street where the President received a ticker-tape reception. The cars moved down Father Griffin Road into Lower Salthill and the carpark opposite the Banba Hotel where the President’s helicopter was waiting
If you, one of your relatives, or someone you know, was one of the 100,000 people who lined the streets of Galway, along the three miles of the President’s route the documentary makers would love to hear from you.
The documentary will travel the same route and capture stories of those that were there on that day in June 1963, exploring the huge impact both culturally and economically of JFK’s visit.
If you would like to be involved, please contact [email protected]
