Today marks the birthday of John F. Kennedy.

Born on May 29th, 1917, history fans have been sharing tributes to the 35th president of the United States on social media, including some incredible photographs of his visit to Cork in June, 1963.

A beautifully colourised image shows President Kennedy greeting thousands of people lining St Patrick’s Street as the motorcade rolled through, just months before he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas in November of the same year.

Born #OnThisDay 1917 President John F. Kennedy, he visited Ireland in 1963 and this is JFK in Patrick Street #Cork (photo via AP Photos, colour by me) lots more via @CumminsSports #LoveCork #PureCork #CorkLike https://t.co/iKSCxxoDXd pic.twitter.com/lgsWDXDsDf

— IrishFamilyDetective (@Fiona_Forde_Irl) May 29, 2020

Fans waved American flags as the parade of cars travelled through the city from Collin’s Barracks, where President Kennedy had arrived by helicopter, to City Hall, where he was awarded the Freedom of Cork City by Lord Mayor Sean Casey.

“I was six years old when President Kennedy visited Cork.” Martin Gould told JFK Homecoming.

“My father, James Gould, worked for St. Finbarr’s Hospital and knew members of the Cork Corporation. Because of that we got to be right in front of the City Hall on the quayside to view the President as his motorcade drove by.

“Due to my small size, my Dad put me up on his shoulders so that I would get a good view. Later in the morning, we walked to what’s now called Kennedy Park just in time to see his helicopter take off.”

Cummins Sports have a fascinating collection of images from the visit available here.

You can watch footage of the visit in this video: