The homestead remained in the ownership of the same family line continuously from the 18th century until it was developed into a visitor center.
Patrick Kennedy, who left this farm in 1848, was fleeing the height of the Great Famine in Ireland.
The site includes a 'JFK Library' element that provides extensive genealogical records for the Kennedy family tree.
President Kennedy's 1963 homecoming visit to Dunganstown was the first time a sitting U.S. President visited his ancestral home in Ireland.
The visitor center building itself is architecturally integrated to preserve the visual integrity of the original 19th-century farm buildings.
The Kennedy Homestead is the ancestral home of the family of President John F. Kennedy, located in Dunganstown, County Wexford. The site preserves the original cottage where Patrick Kennedy, the president's great-grandfather, was born before emigrating to the United States in 1848. It functions as a cultural museum featuring an interactive exhibition that traces the family lineage across five generations. The center highlights the deep connection between the Kennedy family and their Irish roots, culminating in the historic 1963 visit of President John F. Kennedy to the site. Visitors can view original artifacts and personal memorabilia associated with the family. The homestead is managed by the Irish heritage authorities and serves as a significant link in the JFK commemorative trail in Ireland.
Outside the traditional white-washed stone cottage with its iconic thatched roof.
Allow extra time to explore the surrounding rural landscape of Dunganstown, which offers insight into the environment the Kennedys left behind.
Check the official website before traveling to confirm any private functions or temporary seasonal closures.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross to contextualize the emigration history.
Do not assume the homestead is in the town center of New Ross; it is located several miles outside the town in the countryside.
Open seasonally; typically closed during the winter months.
