Sanders to unveil 'Johnny I hardly knew ye' plaque in Athy
The US Senator's visit is part of the 'Made of Athy' campaign, which, since it began in 2018, has seen the town erect some 26 plaques in honour of notable figures with a connection to the town.
Senator Sanders' wife Jane O'Meara Sanders can directly trace her ancestors, the Coyles, back to the south Kildare town.
Written in the 19th century, 'Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye', an Irish anti-war folk song, tells the story of an Athy woman who reunites with her lover Johnny, now unrecognisable after returning from war.
A plaque commemorating the song will be officially unveiled at 3pm at St Michael's Cemetery - followed by a traditional music session in the nearby O'Brien's pub.
Before that, Senator Sanders and Ms O'Meara-Sanders will give an address to the public in Athy Library at 2pm.
They will be joined at the event by Made of Athy founder Colm Walsh, and the Mayor of Athy, Cllr Aoife Breslin.
Other musical figures commemorated by the Made of Athy campaign include Johnny Marr, guitarist of The Smiths, Buzzcocks drummer John Maher, and Stones Roses bassist, Gary "Mani" Mountfield.
Yesterday Senator Sanders delivered a keynote address at the Robert Tressell Festival at Liberty Hall in Dublin.
The event brought together trade unionists and labour activists from Ireland and abroad.
Senator Sanders is due to meet President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin tomorrow.
President Higgins previously met Senator Sanders during his visits to Ireland in February 2024 and June 2017.
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