Honour JFK’s centenary with trip to his home

WATCHING Jackie on the plane back from the States recently I was struck by how insipid this feted First Lady was... or maybe it was just Natalie Portman’s acting.

John F. Kennedy though, by all accounts, had a magnetic personality. This year, the centenary of his birth on May 29, will see more fresh bodies of work spill out, most of which will reveal little we don’t know already.

The best way to revisit the 35th US President is to do it ourselves.

The Kennedy National Historical Site (www.nps.gov/jofi/index.htm), John’s birthplace and boyhood home is the best place to start.

The JFK Presidential Library and Museum (www.jfklibrary.org) ln Boston relays his days in public service.

You will get to see remastered films of JFK’s speeches, interactive displays and original artifacts. Exhibits showcase the 1960 Presidential campaign, the Peace Corps, the Race for Space, Civil Rights, entertaining in the Kennedy White House (with the vacuous Jackie) and more.

Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+), $12 for college students with ID and $10 for 13-17 year olds. Kids under 12 go free.

The John F Kennedy Hyannis Museum (www.jfkhyannismuseum. org) in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, gives you an insight into the days he spent with his family in this spectacular part of New England.

Admission is Seniors: 62 and over – $7, Adults 18-61 – $10, Children 817 $5, children 7 and under - Free, Students with ID - $5.

I’ll be in DC this week and will pay a visit to Kennedy’s eternal flame at Arlington National Cemetery. Nearer home a visit to the JFK Memorial Park & Arboretum in the Kennedy homeland of New Ross, Co. Wexford is worth a visit. Admission is Adults €5, Group/ Senior €4, Child/Student €3 and Family €13. Email jfkarboretum@ opw.ie or call (051) 388171.

Aer Lingus (aerlingus@fly.aerlingus.com) flies from Dublin and Shannon to Boston. It has early bird autumn deals to North America, travel September 1-March 31 as part of a return trip.