The Bruff Fitzgerald Bible Award was established in 2015 to promote the linkages between Bruff and the Fitzgerald family. The award that is given to a person who, through a particular act or service, makes significant contribution to the country of Ireland.
When Thomas Fitzgerald, who was the grandfather of former US President, John F. Kennedy, left the east Limerick town in 1852, the only item he took with him was the family bible. Through generations, the bible was used by the family to record deaths, marriages and births.
It played an important role in the Fitzgerald family. When John F. Kennedy was being sworn in as the 35th President of the United States of America, he insisted on using it to swear the oath of office. The bible is now on exhibition in the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston.
Previous awardees of the Bible have been
2015 – Philomenia Lee
2016 – Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
2017 – Sr Stanislaus Kennedy
2018 – Vicki Phelan
Bruff Heritage Group 