JFK's report on Dev's dream

FIFTY years after he became US President, John F Kennedy continues to intrigue. One of best-selling books of the last 12 months has been JFK in Ireland: Four Days that Changed a Presidentby broadcaster Ryan Tubridy which shed light on Kennedy's visits to Ireland – and interest in the country's history and politics – long before he entered the White House.

In 1945, after being honourably discharged from the US Navy – he served in Asia during the second World War – Kennedy worked briefly as a journalist and was sent to London by Hearst Newspapers to report on the British general election.

He also visited Ireland and wrote a now famous article for the New York Journal American(a since defunct evening newspaper) about Taoiseach Éamon de Valera's ambitions to bring about a United Ireland.

The original five-page typescript, right, signed by Kennedy, in which he misspelt “Éire” as ‘Erie’ and “Éamon” as “Emon” – is now for sale from Kenny’s in Galway (kennys.ie) with an asking price of €17,500.

The bookseller acquired it in a private transaction from a dealer in New York after it failed to sell at auction there last year.

In the article, dated Sunday, July 29, 1945 Kennedy wrote: “Ireland at the present time is divided into two distinct political units – the 26 counties of the south, which comprise present-day Erie, and the six counties, known as Ulster, which are attached directly to the British Crown.

“De Valera is determined to end this partition, as it is called, and to that cause he has dedicated his life.”