THE NEWLY crowned Late Late Show host visited Wexford last week to research John F Kennedy's final visit to Ireland as part of his book on the much-loved American President.

RTE's Ryan Tubridy met with locals to research his book ' JFK in Ireland', which is due be published next year.

Kennedy visited Ireland in June 1963 – months before his assassination – when he came to see the country of his forefathers and meet the relatives with whom he felt a strong connection. In New Ross on Tuesday, Ryan Tubridy met with Patrick Grennan, who runs the Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown, spoke with Sean Reidy, the CEO of the JFK Trust, spent time with John Moran in New Ross Town Council and with Mark Minihan, whose father welcomed John F. Kennedy on his visit to New Ross.

His visit and interviews will form part of his book, which has a working title ' JFK in Ireland'.

Collins agreed a two-book deal with the Irish broadcaster and Jenny Heller, Editorial Director for Collins bought the book for a six-figure sum from Noel Kelly of NK Management.

The first book is scheduled for publication in autumn 2010 and will cover John F Kennedy's final visit to Ireland, which he famously described as the best four days of his life.

The book will not only encompass Kennedy's visit, but will paint the backdrop for the social, political and economic climate of the time, the hope of a generation, and an Irish public who were striving for a better life and who found generations' worth of inspiration in their American cousin.

by Elaine FURLONG

Source: www.newrossstandard.ie/news/tubridys-jfk-1778300.html