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Young Charismatic Politicians should be very wary of visiting Wexford. Michael Collins visited to Wexford in April 1922 . John F. Kennedy visited Wexford in June 1963.
Collins arrived in Wexford by train on the evening before. The arrival of his train from Dublin was heralded by the detonation of fog signals, left on the tracks outside town.
Kennedy arrived in the GAA Park by helicopter that attracted great attention.
Next morning, Collins attended 11 o'clock mass in the Franciscan Church and had breakfast with the Friars afterwards.
Kennedy is said to have halted his motorcade to chat with some nuns along the way.
Collins visited Pierces and was pictured with one of the sturdy 'high nelly' bicycles manufactured there. It is reputed that he later ordered a consignment of these bikes for the army.
Kennedy spoke in County Wexford about working in a local factory if his ancestors had not left for America.
In later years many stories circulated about Collins love life and there was speculation about affairs with famous women.
Kennedy was romantically linked with many women including film stars like
Marilyn Monroe. Collins was a young leader who aroused great emotions in Irish people. Kennedy was the youngest American president and was an inspiration to many.
Within months of visiting Wexford Michael Collins was shot by a sniper at Beal na mBlath. Within months of visiting Wexford John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a sniper in Dallas.
Controversy surrounded the name of Collins' killer over the decades. Controversy surrounds the JFK assassination to this day. Be careful young, charismatic, womanizing politicians visiting Wexford.