IKHG Committee has been busy planning this year’s Gathering for the 2nd weekend in July, and thankfully it’s beginning to take shape. We are mindful that we will have some first time visitors as well as many  regular returnees. So we provide a menu of activities and places to visit and people can decide for themselves what you would like to attend. There are however some events that we will need a fairly accurate idea of the numbers attending.

 

Proposed Itinerary.

 

Fri. 10th July.

3.00 pm.  Gathering at Nenagh Heritage Centre. E45 X588 ( housed in Old Nenagh Gaol.)

Pat and Phyllis Kennedy will lead us through many of the exhibits that they have curated in this impressive collection of Irish Kennedy history and memorabilia.

Local guide will lead small groups through the history of the gaol to include the stories of some of those hanged there in the late 1800,s.

6.00pm. Assembling in Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh E45 KA99 for meet and greet and light            refreshments.

Gathering will be addressed by a number of speakers to include-

The Irish Kennedy DNA Project – Update by Professor Mark Kennedy, Victoria, Australia.

The Kennedys of Bredagha, Toomevara.               Paddy Kennedy will recount the history of his own family over the last 300 years.

Terrence Kennedy, Gold Coast, Australia,  will detail the work of his father Brian Patrick Kennedy in researching and recording the wider history of the ‘Rebellious Irish Kennedys’ with particular reference to the baronies of Upper and Lower Ormond before expanding out to the rest of Ireland.

Dr. Paddy Waldron will tell us how he has used DNA to connect different branches of the Irish Kennedys.

Q & A. Visitors will be able to tell their family stories and share connections with those present.

Saturday 11th July.

 

9.30 am. Depart Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh by bus to J.F.K Homestead, Dunganstown, Co. Wexford travelling over the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy bridge.

12.15 pm. Arrive at the JFK Homestead and Visitor Centre in Dunganstown,Y34 KW31 the home from which J.F.K.’s great grandfather emigrated during the Great Famine. Patrick Grennan, descendant of J.F.K. and member of the Irish Kennedy Heritage Group will guide us through the history of the Kennedy family before their departure to Boston in the 1800’s

2.15 pm. New Ross, Co. Wexford. Guided tour of the Dunbrody. Y34 A786 This authentic recreation of an 1840,s Famine ship provides a great insight into the famine emigrant experience.

4.30 pm Dinner at The Captain’s Table Restaurant, New Ross. Restaurant on 1st floor of Dunbrody Visitor Centre, overlooking the River Barrow.

6.00 pm. Depart New Ross and return to Nenagh.

                        Go to bed.

 

 

Sunday 12th.

 

Morning. Leisure time. List of optional places of interest listed underneath.

3.00 pm. Kilkeary Graveyard. (approx 3 miles from Nenagh)

            Mattie Ryan (Lar), Committee member of I.K. H. G. will speak about the history of his Kennedy ancestors  – their displacement from Lower Ormond to Windy Gap, Curreeney in Upper Ormond and their tradition of returning their dead to their burial grounds in Kilkeary.

6.00 pm. Kennedys Pub, Killeen, Templederry.

            This traditional pub, situated about 6 miles from Nenagh has been in the ownership of the same Kennedy family for over 150 years.

Come to Kennedys, enjoy the spectacular scenery, the friendly atmosphere, with a sprinkling of Irish music and song thrown in for good measure.