Thomas Fitzgerald Museum

The Thomas Fitzgerald Centre is dedicated to the memory of Thomas Fitzgerald, grandfather of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Thomas Fitzgerald emigrated from Bruff in 1852. The centre in Bruff, Co. Limerick is a tribute to this world famous family.

The centre includes the Fitzgerald family tree mural, a John F Kennedy 1963 Limerick visit photo exhibition, and an exhibition from the Caroline Kennedy visit of 2013 including the plaque Caroline unveiled on her visit. There is a display acknowledging the Irish Army guard of honour used at John F Kennedy’s funeral, and a display of memorabilia relating to the Fitzgerald family.

A life-size bronze statue of John F Kennedy was unveiled here in May 2019. The bible that is part of the statue is the one his great-grandfather, Thomas Fitzgerald, brought with him when he emigrated from Bruff to Boston in 1852, and it was the same one that was used by JFK when he was inaugurated as US President in January 1961.

The visitor centre is a treat for anybody with even a passing interest in this celebrated family. The centre is managed by a local community organization who have real pride in the wonderful story of the area.