Dave Burke - a Great Irish American Leader

Today our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of David R. Burke, an Irish-American leader from Lawrence, Massachusetts, who passed away a year ago today.

Dave worked tirelessly with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and other organizations throughout his life on behalf of Northern Ireland and a whole range of Irish-American issues. 

He started the Irish Foundation of Lawrence to help build an impressive Irish Collection of valuable books, periodicals and memorabilia at the Lawrence Public Library.

And he led the initiative with the AOH Lawrence Division to place a Memorial in honor of the 19th century Irish Famine victims at St. Mary's Cemetery in Lawrence.

We'll always have respect and gratitude for the wonderful work Dave Burke did in his lifetime.  From all of us in the Massachusetts Irish community, thank you Dave.

IrishMassachusetts.com

Tourism Officials Release Schedule of Activities for Memorial Day Weekend in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has released an exciting schedule of activities taking place throughout the Commonwealth over Memorial Day Weekend.

The schedule includes dozens of parades, commemorations and memorial services as well as shopping sales, history and heritage events and outdoor festivals. 

There are 36 Memorial Day parades taking place in cities and towns across the Commonwealth, as residents pay tribute to the armed services and also celebrate the arrival of spring.

In addition to Memorial Day activities, MOTT is offering a Mass99 coupon that includes dozens of $99 Fun Packages for families this summer in Massachusetts.   They include kayaking trips on the Cape, whale watching in Gloucester, golfing in Northborough, and taking a cruise in Boston Harbor.  Click here for a complete list.

South Boston Public Library presents Civil War scholar Christian Samito on May 24

Author Christian G. Samito appears at the South Boston Public Library on Monday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss his book, Become American Under Fire: Irish Americans, African Americans and the Politics of Citizenship during the Civil War Era, published in 2009 by Cornell University Press.

The book describes how Irish-Americans and African-Americans influenced the modern vision of national citizenship during the Civil War era through their loyalty and patriotism.

Mr. Samito has also written extensively on the celebrated Civil War unit, the Massachusetts 9th Regiment, comprised largely of Irish immigrant soldiers and led by Boston's Colonel Thomas Cass.

The reading is sponsored by the South Boston Historical Society and the Friends of the South Boston branch of the Boston Public Library.  It is free to the public and refreshments are being served.

South Boston Public Library
646 Broadway
South Boston, MA 02127
617 268-0180

For details on the Irish community throughout Massachusetts, visit IrishBoston.org.

John F. Kennedy Library in Boston opens new exhibit -- Winning West Virginia, JFK’s Primary Campaign

The museum at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library has opened a special new exhibit this month as part of the 50th anniversary of JFK's 1960 presidential campaign.

Winning West Virginia—JFK’s Primary Campaign features a unique perspective on what many historians consider to be one of the most significant state primaries in American political history. Kennedy's landslide victory demonstrated the national viability of the Kennedy campaign and gave him momentum through the summer of 1960.

For year round activities - including exhibits, lectures, educational events and cultural activities, visit JFKLibrary.org.

For various cultural and Irish-related activities in Massachusetts year round, visit IrishBoston.org.

Charitable Irish Society Participating in the Prince Hall Memorial Ceremony on Cambridge Common, May 15

Prince Hall, a Black leader during the American Revolutionary War, is being honored with a memorial on the Cambridge Common near Harvard Square on Saturday, May 15, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.  Cambridge City Councillor Denise Simmons and other dignitaries are attending.

The Charitable Irish Society is attending the ceremony to lay a wreath in honor of Hall, who by most historical accounts was a freed slave of William Hall, an Irish leather maker who was the first recorded president of the Society in 1766.  The Society, formed in 1737, is the oldest Irish organization in the USA.

Prince Hall was a member of an Irish lodge of Freemansonry in 1775, and later that year formed African Lodge No. 1, the first lodge of black Free and Accepted Masons in the world.

The memorial was organized by the Prince Hall Memorial Foundation.

For details on Irish history in Massachusetts, visit IrishHeritageTrail.com.

Massachusetts Taking Pride in National Travel and Tourism Week, May 8-16

by Michael P. Quinlin

From sea to shining sea, National Travel and Tourism Week is a chance to celebrate and take stock of the accomplishments and challenges of the travel industry in the United States, which employs ten million people across the nation.  The celebration runs from Saturday, May 8 through Sunday, May 16, 2010.  

Launched in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan, the annual event helps promote the United States as a travel destination while acknowledging the efforts of travel professionals in cities, states, heritage sites and visitor destinations who work to make America a premier travel choice to visitors from around the world.

Among the recent accomplishments Massachusetts has to celebrate:

US Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-MA) co-authored the bi-partisan U.S. Travel Promotion Act, which gives the United States a national marketing and communications plan to promote the USA as a destination throughout the world.  The bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 4, 2010.

Massachusetts remains a vibrant travel destination for both domestic and international visitors, thanks to the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT).  Executive director Betsy Wall reports that international visitors are up 11% so far this year, according to a recent Boston Globe story, while hotel bookings on Cape Cod and other resort areas are strong.  

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) has initiated an ambitious plan to make Boston one of the top five destinations in North America.  Executive director James E. Rooney recently formed the Convention Partnership to enhance Boston's role as a top destination in the convention industry.

The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GBCVB), an award-winning travel bureau, has branded Boston as as city of history, culture, education and beauty, helping Boston to win "America's Favorite City" contest in a recent Travel & Leisure Magazine poll. 

Massport, which operates Logan International Airport as well as several other travel facilities in Massachusetts, serves as the gateway to New England and has expanded its non-stop services to 70 domestic and 31 international destinations.  

Like other states across the country, Massachusetts is working hard to enhance its travel and tourism industry as a way of taking pride in where we live, and as a means of contributing to the economic vitality of our state.

Michael P. Quinlin is founder of Boston Irish Tourism Association and MassJazz.

Juno and the Paycock at Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, May 7, 8, 14, 15, 16

Pilgrim Soul Productions is presenting its spring presentation of Sean O’Casey’s classic play, Juno and the Paycock, at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre for two successive weekends in May.

The performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 7, 8, 15 and 15.  There is also a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. on May 16, which features a dinner/theatre option.

Tickets for the show are $15.00, and group discounts are available for 25 or more.  Cost for the Sunday dinner/theatre is $35.00. 

To reserve tickets, call 508 523-3773 or 508 799-7775.  Tickets are also available at the door, or can be purchased online.

Located at 19 Temple Street in downtown Worcester, the Hibernian Cultural Centre opened in 2005 and has become the main gathering place for the Irish-American community in Central Massachusetts.  The Fiddler's Green Pub in the Centre offers live music, dance lessons and a full pub menu throughout the year.

The Centre is also the home of the popular Worcester Irish Music Festival which takes place on June 11, 12, 13, 2010.

For details on year round Irish events throughout Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com.

Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra Hosts Celtic Pops on May 8

Susan and Stephen Lindsay

The 94th season of the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra is hosting Celtic Pops: A Feast of Irish Music, on Saturday, May 8, at 8:00 p.m. at Plymouth Memorial Hall. 

Conductor Steven Karidoyanes is presenting several classic musical selections, including Leroy Anderson's Irish Suite, Percy Grainger's Derry Air (Danny Boy), as well as selections from theBroadway  musical Finian's Rainbow and from Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance.

Guest artists include Irish acoustic duo the Lindsays, as well as Irish fiddlers from the Congress School of Irish Music in Quincy, led by fiddler Aidan Maher. 

Seamus Mulligan, radio personality on WROL (950 AM) and a recognized expert on Irish music, is guest host for the evening.

Tickets are available by calling 508 746-8008 or clicking here.

For year round Irish activities in Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com.

Boston Pops Opens 125th Anniversary Seaon on May 4, 2010 at Boston Symphony Hall

The Boston Pops is kicking off its 125th anniversary season on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, with a glorious night of music, pageantry, and tributes to past musical conductors of the famed orchestra.

Conductor Keith Lockhart is being joined by pianist Michael Chertock, performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue; trumpeter Doc Severinsen, famous bandleader on the Johnny Carson Show; and Idina Menzel, Tony Award-winning actress and star of the TV hit show, Glee. 

The 2010 Boston Pops season runs through July 4 and features a variety of musicians, conductors and celebrities who are paying tribute to the Pops. 

Boston Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

617 638-9345 Tel
617 638-9436 Fax
bso.org

Submitted by IrishBoston.org