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Documentary uncovers details about former US President JFK's "Irish mafia"

A DOCUMENTARY about US President John F. Kennedy's inner circle who were known as The Kennedys’ "Irish Mafia" is being released on DVD.

The film tells the story of the men who surrounded the first Irish-American president and the price some of them paid for this unswerving devotion.

Dave Powers, Kenny O'Donnell and the strategist Larry O'Brien became the key advisers surrounding the President, selected for their loyalty and devotion to JFK and his family.

The award-winning documentary features interviews with key witnesses to the Kennedy Presidency, as well as professional and amateur archive footage.

JFK is greeted by thousands lining the streets in Ireland

Who were JFK's Irish mafia?

1. Kenny O’Donnell - March 4, 1924 – September 9, 1977

Played by Hollywood actor Kevin Costner in 2001 movie Thirteen Days, the real life O'Donnell was a political consultant who served as the special assistant and appointments secretary to Kennedy from 1961-1963.

Kenny O’Donnell’s parents were Catholic Irish descent. His relationship with the Kennedy family began at Harvard where he was Robert F. Kennedy's roommate. In 1946, RFK enlisted him to work for John F. Kennedy’s first congressional campaign.

By virtue of his long-time association with the Kennedy family, Mr. O’Donnell was named White House Appointments Secretary, serving as President Kennedy’s political troubleshooter. Despite his commonplace title, Mr. O’Donnell also unofficially advised the President during the planning for the Bay of Pigs invasion as well as during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

O'Donnell served as President Lyndon B. Johnson's aide from 1963 to 1965, and was a key campaign advisor for Robert Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign.

2. Larry O’Brien - July 7, 1917 – September 28, 1990

One of the United States Democratic Party's leading electoral strategists for more than two decades, O’Brien served as assistant to President Kennedy.

Coming from a background rich with political experience, Larry O’Brien was the perfect fit for Congressman John F. Kennedy’s 1952 Senate campaign.

O’Brien used his organizational skills to help mobilize an army of volunteers, which eventually helped Kennedy defeat Senator Henry Cabot Lodge by more than 70,000 votes.

Mr. O’Brien went on to serve as Director of Organization for both the Kennedy for President Campaign and the Kennedy-Johnson ticket.

3. Dave Powers - April 25, 1912 – March 27, 1998

As one of President Kennedy’s closest friends and confidants, Dave Powers was a natural fit for the role of Special Assistant and assistant Appointments Secretary to Kennedy.

During the assassination of President Kennedy and Kenneth O'Donnell were riding in the Secret Service follow-up car directly behind the presidential limousine.

Following the assassination, Mr. Powers often visited Georgetown, at Jacqueline Kennedy's request, to have lunch and read stories with John F. Kennedy, Jr.

Mr. Powers also stayed on for a year as White House Assistant to President Johnson.

Mr. Powers left Washington to join the staff of the proposed Kennedy Library in Boston, eventually serving as museum curator until his retirement in 1994.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: