At the opening of the John F Kennedy Memorial Park in Wexford the US Ambassador to Ireland's thoughts are on the Epsom Derby where his horse is running.
President Éamon de Valera presided over the official opening ceremony of the John F Kennedy Memorial Park at Slieve Coillte near New Ross in County Wexford. The park is near the Kennedy ancestral homestead at Dungansown and is comprised of 480 acres.
Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony was the sister of the late President Kennedy, Eunice Shriver, who planted a tree.
Also in attendance were American businessman and US Ambassador to Ireland, Raymond R Guest and his wife Princess Murat. A television was set up outside so they could watch their horse Sir Ivor, ridden by jockey Lester Piggott race at the Epsom Derby in England.
A year previously Raymond R Guest placed a substantial bet on Sir Ivor to win, so tensions ran high during the race. Sir Ivor won, but a delighted Ambassador admits he was,
Worried until the last step.
Raymond R Guest will be returning to America but this will not affect his racing interest in Ireland as he is planning to race Sir Ivor in the Irish Derby.
I’m in love with this country I’m not going away very long.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 May 1968. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.
