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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Freedom of the City of Galway Casket
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA

Freedom of the City of Galway Casket

Artifact IDMO 63.2450.1
Object Type Container
Date 1962-1963
Date Presented6/29/1963
Gifter
Place MadeGalway, Ireland, Europe
Medium Gilt silver, marble
DimensionsOverall H 12 in x W 7 in x D 7 in (30.5 cm x 17.8 cm x 17.8 cm)
Physical DescriptionCylinder shaped gilt casket set in a Connemara marble base with silver mounts decorated with Celtic knot work running between the two mounts. The casket is engraved with a Gaelic inscription "To John Fitzgerald Kennedy President of the United States In Memory of the Occasion on which He Was Granted The Freedom of the City of Galway 29th June, 1963, Senator Padraig O Riain, Mayor." The Kennedy coat of arms is engraved on the left and seal of Galway on the right of the inscription. The ends of the cylinder are decorated with Celtic knot work.
Historical NoteThis award was presented to President John F. Kennedy by the Mayor of Galway, Patrick D. Ryan during President Kennedy's State visit to Ireland on June 29, 1963. "Freedom of the City" is a ceremonial award, given by a local government to those who have served in some exceptional capacity, or upon any whom the City wishes to bestow an honor.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift to President and Mrs. Kennedy from Patrick D. Ryan, Mayor of Galway, Ireland. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Exhibitions
Not on view
Related Links
Archives folder of President Kennedy’s State Visit to Ireland: "Archives folder President Kennedy’s State Visit to Ireland"