Irish Massachusetts

   The 71st Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival returns September 26-28, 2025 with a vibrant new citywide format.  This year, the festival brings Galway’s world-famous oyster celebrations together with Galway Docklands Festival – a dedicated maritime zone showcasing the city’s seafaring traditions, family fun, and waterfront experiences. From the Latin Quarter to the Docklands, Galway will come alive with oyster opening competitions, Galway Hooker displays, live music, fresh local food, and free family activities. Tickets are not required for this year’s events (except pre-booked tours), making the festival more accessible than ever. It’s a weekend-long celebration from shore to street. Find updated information and more details at  Galway International Oyster + Seafood Festival . To learn more about visiting Ireland any time of year, go to  Ireland.com . Galway oyster festival ,  Irish seafood ,  Tourism Ireland ,  Visit Ireland

  Photo courtesy of patriots.com Congratulations to legendary quarterback Tom Brady, whose larger-than-life bronze statue was unveiled on August 8, 2025 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA , where Brady led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles and 17 division championships in his 20 years here. Brady attended the unveiling ceremony with his parents, Tom Brady, Sr. and Galynn , sisters and three children, and they were joined by team owner Robert K. Kraft , former teammates, and thousands of enthusiastic fans who came out to honor their football hero. Sculptor Jeff Buccacio working on the Tom Brady statue Sculptor Jeff Buccacio and his team of artisans and technicians spent more than 20,000 hours on the  Tom Brady project  as they sought to create “a timeless and iconic representation of a legendary player.”  Buccacio said the Patriots provided him with “a selection of photographs to use as design inspiration. One image in particular stood out. It w...

  The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is celebrating First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s 96th birthday on July 15, 2025 from 5:30 to 8 p.m, as part of its  Community Nights  series.  Well-known as a style icon, Mrs. Kennedy was an integral player in the Kennedy Administration and revolutionized the role of the First Lady. Learn more about her time in the White House and enjoy live musical performances by HarpBeat throughout the evening. Last admission is 7:15 p.m. Additional Community Night are on  August 6  and  August 20 around the theme of the new exhibition,  Presidential Pets , with curator-led tours and rarely seen family film footage of the Kennedys and their furry friends. Read more about the Kennedy family at irishboston.org . 

The New England states played a central role in the American Revolution, especially in the early years of the war. This summer, as America 250 prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding in 2026, Machias, Maine and Charlestown, Massachusetts commemorate their distinctive roles in the Revolutionary War. BATTLE OF MACHIAS On June 12, 1775, the Battle of Machias off the coast of Maine became the first naval battle of the American Revolution when Jeremiah O’Brien, his five brothers and townsfolk created the “first act of Colonial piracy” in the war. When the British ‘sloop of war’ sailed into Machias and threatened to tear down the town’s Liberty Pole, O’Brien’s men captured the Margaretta, taking its munitions as bounty. This summer, Machias celebrates the 250th anniversary of this historical battle with a series of events. On June 20-21, Revolutionary War Re-enactors of Downeast Maine recreate the battle overlooking Machias Bay, with performances by Piscataqua Ra...

  The  New York-based group,   Irish American Writers and Artists , has organized an academic panel at this year's American Literature Association Conference at Westin Copley Place in Boston's Back Bay. The panel takes place on Friday, May 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The discussion on "New York's Irish Immigrant Impact: Stories of heroes, villains and rockers ," is chaired by Independent Scholar Lori Cassels.  The four papers include: 1. “Payne-ful” Business from NYC to Charleston, my Irish family’s involvement in the slave trades,” Margaret Seidler, Independent Scholar. 2. “Irish Famine Immigrants who worked the Staten Island Marine Hospital and Quarantine Station,” Loretto Leary, Secretary, Ireland’s Hunger Museum of Fairfield. 3.“Catholic Boy: Locating Jim Carroll in Inwood,” Ben Nadler, Widener University. 4."From Wexford to Paradise Square on NYC''s Broadway: Larry Kirwan's Emigrant Literary Journey," Bill Nevins, Independent Scholar....

  Courtesy of National Park Service. Photo Credit: Procon Consulting (Ted Fiffy) Boston National Historical Park is in the midst of a $30+ million restoration of Dorchester Heights Monument atop Telegraph Hill in South Boston.  Funding for the project comes from the  Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) .  The restoration began in  September 2023  and is expected to be completed by March 2026, in time for the 250th anniversary of the famous episode at Dorchester Heights in March 1776.  That is when colonial troops pointed canons from Dorchester Heights at British ships in the harbor, forcing British troops to evacuate and effectively ending the 11-month Siege of Boston. According to Boston National Historical Park, "This current project is restoring the 115-foot-tall marble commemorative tower, which was designed by Peabody & Stearns architects of Boston in 1899 and constructed in 1901-1902. It is also replacing all hardscapes within the surrounding...

Courtesy of Rory McIlroy New York, NY – April 14, 2025  – Tourism Ireland proudly celebrates Rory McIlroy’s stunning victory at the 2025 Masters, securing his career Grand Slam and solidifying his place as one of the greatest golfers of all time. This extraordinary achievement is a milestone not only for McIlroy, but for Irish golf as a whole, reinforcing Ireland’s reputation as the   Home of Champions . McIlroy’s victory at Augusta National marks a remarkable chapter in his illustrious career and brings yet another major title to his name. As the first golfer from Northern Ireland to secure the coveted Masters Green Jacket, McIlroy’s triumph is a testament to the world-class golfing talent that Ireland continues to nurture. This achievement is a proud moment for Irish golf fans everywhere, showcasing the talent that emerges from the Emerald Isle and the rich golfing heritage that has produced so many global champions. The Road Ahead: The  153rd Open  CHAMPIONSHIP at...

Boston Public Library, McKim Building Entrance In celebration of National Library Week , April 6-12, 2025, here is an overview of public, academic and private libraries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Massachusetts has 370+ public libraries and 1,400 academic and specialized libraries, including  nine library networks  that provide the library catalog, the ability to borrow from neighboring libraries, circulation, patron registration, public Internet access and other critical services.  Among the highlights: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum The   John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum  at Columbia Point in Dorchester is a federal repository of the papers and holdings of President Kennedy and his administration. The JFK is a treasure trove of information about the Commonwealth’s native son, and also contains materials on mid-20th century politics in America. The  State Library of Massachusetts , located at the State Ho...

  Cary Memorial Hall, Lexington During the  centenary celebration of the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1875, the  Town of Lexington honored two American patriots – Sam Adams and John Hancock – with statues for their distinctive role in the American Revolution. Irish-born, Boston-based sculptor Martin Milmore, best known for his iconic monuments of the American Civil War, was chosen by the Town to create a statue of Revolutionary War hero Sam Adams.  And Boston sculptor Thomas Gould was selected to create the John Hanock statue.   The sculptors were paid $4,000 each, and both statues were made from Carrara marble.  In addition, two statues representing the minutemen of the Revolutionary War and a solder from the Civil War were also commissioned to sculptor Carl Conrads.  All four statues were unveiled in a large tent on the day of the ceremony and were later installed in the town’s Memorial Hall. Sam Adams by Martin Milmore...