Diary Entry - 06/03/1984
Key Facts
President Reagan meets with Father Murphy at the Church of the Assumption.
President Reagan tours the future location of The Ronald Reagan Community Center, Ballyporeen, Ireland.
This was the day. We helicoptered to Ballyporeen in Co. Tipperary. This was the home of my great grandather who left there for America. After all the greeting ceremonies I went with Father Condon to see old Father Murphy keeper of the baptismal records. There I saw the hand written entry of Michael Reagans baptism in 1829. We then crossed the street to the church where the baptism had taken place. We walked thru the town shaking hands with as many people as we could on our way to the Pub that has been named for me. They are building a Community Center in my name. There I was presented the family tree as researched by Burkes Peerage. Our family line going back to Brian Boru has us related by way of Mary Queen of Scots to every Royal family in Europe. I’m a 6th cousin of Queen Elizabeth of Eng. I addressed the crowd in the street from a platform. There were entertainers—Dancers & musicians. Then it was off to Dublin to Deerfield Park our Embassy where we were met by the Lord Mayor. We called on Pres. Hillery & Mrs. Hillery. There was a tree planting ceremony. Then we were off to a state dinner at Dublin Castle. Finally back to the embassy for the night.
