Boston wins bid to host world Irish dancing contest
Tourism officials in Massachusetts are dancing with joy after winning the bid to host the World Irish Dancing Championships in 2013. The Irish Dancing Commission in Dublin made the announcement after reviewing proposals from cities around the world. Boston bested a number of other cities competing for the championship event, according to James Rooney (pictured above), head of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. "We're so pleased to be bringing this unique event to Boston," Rooney said, noting that the agency won the event "based on our award-winning facilities, our top-tier service and, we admit it, being the most Irish city in America." The event will take place at the John Hynes Memorial Auditorium, in the city's upscale Back Bay neighborhood. The auditorium is close to the city's main shopping areas - Copley Place, Prudential Shopping and Newbury Street. The Hynes is next to the Berklee College of Music, which has steadily increased its Iri...