The Times we lived in

You know how it is at family barbeques. You hang around forever, and there’s no sign of any food, and then – just as you manage to snag a mouthful and are trying to chew and look inconspicuous, dammit if your siblings don’t descend on you and start banging on about global geopolitics.

There is, to Irish eyes, something irresistible about seeing the leader of the “free” world in a farmyard – or, at least, in some unlikely rural setting. We’ve had Barack Obama in Moneygall and Ronald Reagan in Ballyporeen.

But when John F Kennedy came to Dunganstown, Co Wexford, in 1963, it was the most glamorous get-together of the lot. The style alone would put your eye out – and Jackie Onassis wasn't even there.

The woman closest to JFK in our shot is his sister, Jean Kennedy Smith. Her suit looks neutral in our black and white image: in fact, it was a strong and, presumably, highly fashionable shade of lime green, with a bright red top underneath for good measure.

The Irish contingent weren't going to be outdone in the fashion stakes. To Kennedy Smith's left, and mostly hidden in this picture, is JFK's second cousin Mary Ryan, dignified in dark flowery dress and pearls.

Others – indeed, everyone – had scrubbed up beautifully for the occasion. (For further fashion information visit the website of the Kennedy Homestead at Dunganstown – or take a trip to New Ross and experience the day itself, recreated in immaculate detail.)

The joys of this photograph also lie in the details. The jollity going on among the bobbing line of Garda caps which can just be glimpsed beneath the farmhouse window on the left of the image. On the right, a man in a raincoat – plainclothes cop? – is guarding the cake table, his hand – complete with oversized wedding ring – ready to do a karate chop on anyone who makes an inappropriate goodie grab.

Last but not least there is Mr President, hunched over his finger food. And just behind him, an unsmiling young man in buzzcut and black, ready to spring into action should he choke on his egg sambo. But maybe we shouldn’t joke about that, given what was to happen in Dallas just five months later.

This and other photographs from The Irish Times can be purchased from: irishtimes.com/photosales