Irish Massachusetts

Hancock-Adams Common, Downtown Quincy December is a magical month in the City of Quincy, MA, where the spirit of Christmas and holiday festivities is everywhere. All through the month,  enjoy the holiday lights displays and colorful Christmas trees at Hancock-Adams Common in the city center.  A few blocks down Hancock Street, the Generals Bridge and Park also has a colorful light display and Christmas tree that sparkles. Quincy Welcome Center On Saturday, December 14, check out the Quincy Welcome Center at 259 Hancock Street between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.  to shop for holiday gifts and Quincy-themed merchandise.  Nearby, don't miss Santa's Mailbox on Hancock-Adams Common, where kids can drop off letters to Santa Claus.   The Marina Bay Holiday Market takes place Sunday, December 15 from noon to 4 p.m. with lots of gift ideas from local vendors and shops along the marina, which is encapsulated by beautiful Christmas lights overlooking the Bay.  Kids can take pho...

Celtic Woman Traveling around New England for the holidays?  Here are some places to enjoy live Christmas, Irish and Celtic music in local concert halls and churches.  Happy Christmas.  Nutcracker Ballet at Rosecliff, Photo Credit: Island Moving Company Newport, Rhode Island  celebrates Christmas all month long with caroling in the streets, concerts and dance recitals in the grand mansions, and plenty of dining and hotel specials. On December 14 the Museum of Newport Irish History holds its annual Christmas Open House with music, food and Celtic-style, made-in-Rhode-Island Christmas ornaments for sale. Quincy Choral Society In Quincy , the Quincy Choral Society performs The Messiah at Wollaston Church on December 15. In Quincy’s city center, the Hancock Adams Common holds a religious gathering with sacred music at the Creche on December 15 and a Menorah Lighting on December 26. In Milton , the Eustis Estate holds its Holiday Cheer event on December 19, with live musi...

The Boston Celtics hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy on Monday, June 17, 2024 Photo courtesy of the NBA Congratulations to the Boston Celtics for hoisting Banner 18 at the rafters at TD Garden. It was an incredible season and here’s to the quest for Banner 19 in 2025!   The Larry O’Brien trophy was presented courtside at TD Garden to the Boston Celtics organization by NBA Commission Adam Silver on Monday, June 17, the night the Celtics became the coveted NBA champions.  And on Friday, June 21, the 25.5″ inch-tall, 30-pound trophy was hoisted by Celtics star Jason Tatum along the three-mile victory parade route, attended by more than one million people. Many basketball fans are wondering, who is Larry O’Brien, for whom the National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship Trophy is named. Here is a quick sketch of Mr. O’Brien. The Kennedy Connection Larry O'Brien, 1961, Courtesy of JFK Library Lawrence Francis O’Brien (1917-1990) was born in Springfield, Massachuse...

  Photo courtesy of Boston Irish Tourism The City of Quincy , led by Mayor Tom Koch , kicked off a colorful and joyful holiday season this weekend as city officials, neighborhood groups, cultural organizations and tourism advocates rolled out three vibrant days of festivities over the weekend. Photo courtesy of Boston Irish Tourism It began on Friday, November 29, with the annual Christmas Tree lighting on Hancock Adams Common. The spectacle featured a musical performance by award-winning singer Michelle Brooks Thompson . Other entertainments at the tree lighting include stilt walkers, jugglers, fire shows and Victorian carolers. The City of Quincy offered free popcorn, apple cider donuts, coffee and hot chocolate, while Montilio's Bakery offered pizza and desserts. A giant screen played favorite holiday movies throughout the event. Photo courtesy of Boston Irish Tourism The Quincy Chamber of Commerce's   Kilroy Square Holiday Market  on Cottage Street had hundreds of a...

 Image courtesy of the Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins celebrated its 100th anniversary today by unveiling a statue in the shape of a bear, the long-time symbol of the storied hockey team, i n Portal Park outside TD Garden in Boston's North End. The team played its inaugural game on December 1, 1924 against the Montreal Maroons, beating them 2-1.  A century later, the Bruins play the Montreal Canadians on December 1, 2024 at 3 p.m. The puck drops at 4:15 p.m. Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs said the statue represents "the  enduring spirit of this franchise and its fans.   This statue will greet generations of hockey fans, players and all who pass by, reminding them of the rich legacy we have built together and the exciting future that lies ahead. A very special thank you to Harry Weber as well, whose vision and artistic talent have brought this remarkable sculpture to life.” Standing 6-feet tall, 10-feet long and weighs 3,500 pounds, the statue is composed of 9...

Cathy and Ray Flynn at Flynn Cruiseport, Seaport Boston Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) officials, elected officials from South Boston and tourism, environmental and transportation advocates gathered in Boston’s Seaport District  on Friday, November 22 to celebrate the success of the 2024 Cruising season at the Raymond L. Flynn Cruiseport and to learn about new plans for upgrading the facility.   Former U.S. Ambassador and Boston Mayor Ray Flynn, for whom the cruiseport is named, and his wife Cathy attended.  The ceremony celebrated the record-breaking  2024 cruising season, which attracted 480,000 passengers, a 29% passenger increase over 2023.  In total,167 cruise ships came through Boston this season, with18 additional ships representing a 12% increase over 2023.   The Flynn Cruiseport has generated a $256 million in economic impact — a 90% increase since 2018, and supported more than 3,000 jobs, a 36% increase since 2018. In ...