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Freedom of the City of Limerick Casket
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Photography credit Joel Benjamin
Freedom of the City of Limerick Casket
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Photography credit Joel Benjamin
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Freedom of the City of Limerick Casket

Artifact IDMO 63.1207a
Object Type Chest
Date before 1963
Date Presented6/29/1963
Gifter
Place of GiftLimerick, Ireland, Europe
Medium Wood, silver
DimensionsOverall H 5 1/2 in x W 16 in x D 7 in (14 cm x 40.6 cm x 17.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionMahogany casket with hinged lid which bears a silver plaque inscribed in Gaelic. The inscription reads: "This casket contains the certificate of freedom of the city of Limerick conferred by the Limerick corporation on his excellency John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States, 29 June 1963." The front of the chest bears the shield of the city of Limerick.
Historical NoteThis small chest, commonly called a casket, was presented to President John F. Kennedy by Frances Condell, Mayor of Limerick during the President'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 from a foreign official to the President and First Lady received through the Executive office during the Kennedy Administration and transferred to the General Service Administration where it was held until donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum 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 NoteThis material is not subject to any known copyright or other image use restrictions.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Related Links
Francis Condell remarks in Limerick, Ireland:  
Archives folder of President Kennedy’s State Visit to Ireland: "Archives folder President Kennedy’s State Visit to Ireland"