John F. Kennedy Memorial Park & Arboretum
Did you know there is an arboretum dedicated to the memory
of John F. Kennedy located in County Wexford Ireland between Kilkenny and
Waterford?
After Kennedy’s death in 1963 US citizens of Irish origin initiated
an idea for a memorial in Ireland. The Irish government suggested it take the
form of an arboretum. The Arboretum was opened formally in May 1968 and today
boasts 252 hectares, which is 25,200 acres. There are 4500 species and
varieties of trees, shrubs, climbing plants and woody ground cover acquired
from around the world.
My sister and I had the good fortune of visiting this park
on a recent trip to Ireland. Although my photos don’t really do it justice, the
views are incredible. The visitor center offers highlights from his family’s
life during his time as president. We
were touched by the quality of the exhibits. We loved that the park is a
celebration of trees.
There are roads, trails, picnic areas, tea rooms and a lake
making this an ideal place for locals to spend the day enjoying. Seasonally,
you can even take advantage of the sites via a miniature railway as well as a
pony and trap service.
Check out the ongoing activities. https://www.facebook.com/jfkarboretum/
