President Richard Nixon in Ireland, 1970

Описание: US President Richard Nixon and his wife Pat end their visit to Ireland.

The highlight of the trip was the President’s visit to the Quaker Burial Ground at Hodgestown, near Timahoe in County Kildare. This is where his mother, Hannah Milhouse’s ancestors were buried.

A huge crowd gathered beside the Quaker burial ground, and the President and his wife stopped to chat and shake hands with them. The President was then presented with documentary evidence of his Irishness by a Quaker historian Olive Goodbody.

At the site President Nixon gave a speech in which he emphasised the Quakers having a passion for peace. He stated that his greatest purpose and goal as the President of the United States of America is,

"To bring peace not only to America, but to all the world"

On leaving Timahoe, the Nixon motorcade went on a tour of county Kildare towns. At Kildare Town the motorcade stopped so the President and his wife could enjoy an Irish dancing display. Throngs of people also gathered around the Presidential car as it passed through Newbridge.

The entourage next moved to Dublin where President Nixon visited Áras an Uachtaráin, inspecting the Guard of Honour, before meeting President Éamon de Valera.

From there the motorcade passed through Dublin City centre towards Dublin Castle. On Lord Edward Street a man ran from the crowd to throw an egg at President Nixon. Further demonstrators awaited the President outside Dublin Castle, where the Nixons met with Taoiseach Jack Lynch and his wife Máirín.

The motorcade travelled through O’Connell Street in Dublin en route to Dublin Airport. At the airport President Nixon and his wife waved to the crowd before boarding Air Force One.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 5 October 1970.