Irish Massachusetts

The Irish Cultural Center at Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts is celebrating its ten year anniversary on October 9-10-11, 2009 with a variety of events that accentuate the Center’s cultural and literary mission. The activities kick off Friday evening, October 9, with an art exhibit by Irish painter Vincent Crotty, entitled Recent Paintings: Images of the Blasket Island, Ireland and Beyond. The exhibit takes place from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Borgia Gallery at the Dooley Campus Center. The exhibit runs through October 26. Following the opening a group of local musicians are leading a traditional music session in the Dooley Center Dining Hall Annex. Dancers from the McDermott School of Irish Dance are performing. On Saturday, October 10, the Center hosts all-day workshops at Berchman’s Hall. They include dance workshops with Maureen McDermott of the McDermott Academy of Irish Dance; genealogy with Judy Lucey of the New England Historic Genealogical Society; bodhrain and bones pla...

I congratulate Governor Deval Patrick on his selection of Paul G. Kirk, Jr. to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States Senate. Paul Kirk is the epitome of a citizen-patriot. He is a wonderful friend, and I am thrilled that the citizens of Massachusetts will benefit from the same extraordinary leadership that he has brought to the Kennedy Library and Foundation. Paul’s life long commitment to democracy and civic engagement has given life to my father’s belief that one person can make a difference, and earned him the friendship and respect of politicians on both sides of the aisle. Paul’s wisdom, kindness and integrity mean the world to the entire Kennedy family. For further information: Rachel Day (617) 514-1662, rachel.day@jfklfoundation.org .jfklibrary.org/Paul+G.+Kirk+Jr+Chairman.htm irishmassachusetts.com/Kennedys.php

On Sunday, September 20, The Kennedy Library Forum Series presents a discussion on the restored edition A Moveable Feast , Ernest Hemingway's fascinating memoirs of his life in Paris during the 1920s. Participants include Sean Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's grandson and editor of the restored edition, which was published in July 2009. He is being joined in the forum by Adam Gopnik, New Yorker writer and author of Paris to the Moon; and Diane Johnson, author of Le Mariage and Le Divorce. Scott Simon, host of NPR's Saturday Weekend Edition, will moderate. This forum runs from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in Stephen Smith Hall at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston. All forums are free and open to the public. To make reservations and for further information, visit the Kennedy Presidential Library web page at jfklibrary.org or call (617) 514-1643.

(Worcester) - Enjoy traditional dancing - waltz, fox trot, two-step and ceili- at the annual Dinner Dance at the Hibernian Cultural Center, 19 Temple Street in Worcester. Music is by the Andy Healy Band, one of the region's most popular Irish groups. Cost of dinner and dance is $30.00, starting at 6:00 p.m., or $10.00 for just dancing, arrive after 8:00 p.m. The Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre opened in November 2005, and is located in downtown Worcester, within walking distance to City Hall, and with easy access to Union Station and nearby Interstate 290. For more information about the Centre, including information on holding functions there, call 508 795-0400. FiddlersGreen

Gaelic Storm, the popular Irish band from California , is capping off this year’s Lowell Summer Music Series with a concert at Boarding House Park on Friday, September 18, at 7:30. Combining original and fresh arrangements of Irish traditional melody with a unique blend of world rhythms, Gaelic Storm is renowned for its live performances and for audience participation. The band has been together for over ten years, and has recorded seven albums and logged in hundreds of concerts around the world. It last played in Lowell in summer 2005. The Lowell Summer Music Series just completed its 20 th season of booking outstanding musical talent that ranges from Irish and world music to rock n roll and blues. Gaelic Storm in Concert September 18, 2009 7:30 p.m. / $16 advance, $20 day of concert Boarding House Park 40 French Street Lowell , MA 01852 lowellsummermusic.org

Galway singer and multi-instrumentalist Sean Tyrrell performs a special concert on Wednesday, September 16, as part of the Gaelic Roots Music, Song and Dance series at Boston College. Tyrrell's concert is entitled "Message of Peace: Songs and Poetry of John Boyle O'Reilly," and takes place at the Connolly House (photo above) , 300 Hammond Street in Chestnut Hill, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public. O'Reilly (1844-1890) was an extraordinary Irish leader in the 19th century who escaped from a British penal colony in Austrailia and made his way to Boston. Starting as a journalist, he became publisher of The Pilot newspaper and was a well-regarded poet, essayist, public speaker and advocate for the downtrodden. Using elements of O'Reilly's life story as well as his lyrics and verse, Tyrrell has put together an inspiring show that resurrects one of the great Irish leaders of the 19th century for modern audiences to appreciate. The Gaelic R...

Legislation Will Create Jobs, Enhance US Image Abroad WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed legislation this week championed by U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt to promote global travel to the United States. Since introducing the bipartisan bill two years ago with Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Delahunt has pressed for its enactment as both economic stimulus and public diplomacy. “In one bold step, we can create jobs in the tourism sector and enhance America’s image abroad,” Delahunt said. “We all know the best ambassadors for our nation are ordinary Americans, so every additional visitor to the US will return home to report on the warmth and vitality of our hospitality.” The bill, which seeks to address a chronic decline in overseas visitors to our shores, will now be considered by the House of Representatives. The Senate 79-19 vote to approve the Travel Promotion Act (TPA) came after months of bi-partisan efforts to bring the legislation to the Senate floor for a vote. Last year, Delahunt and Blunt...

Boston is putting on a special 9/11 Tribute on Friday, September 11, featuring Irish-American singer Pauline Wells, at the historic Wilbur Theatre in downtown Boston. The concert benefits the charity group, Cops for Kids with Cancer. Wells, who is a sergeant detective in the major case unit of the Cambridge Police Department, is being joined by the renowned Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums, as well as local Irish traditional band Devri. As a special tribute to the evening, 40 members of the NYPD Emerald Society of Pipes and Drums are traveling from New York City to offer a special tribute. Wells is a popular singer in the Boston area and has performed the National Anthem at dozens of venues, including the Massachusetts State House, Faneuil Hall and Fenway Park. She and her band Devri also perform at local Irish pubs and cultural venues around Boston. Each March, Wells and her husband, Police Chief Richard G. Wells, Jr. of the Milton Police Department, organize a concert...

(Canton) - Irish music and dancing, storytelling and genealogy, author readings and children's activities mark this year's 19th annual Irish Festival taking place on September 12-13, at the Irish Cultural Centre of New England. The festival boasts a variety of local performers on the 46 acre campus in Canton, which is just twelve miles from Boston. Among the musical acts: Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Noel Henry Band, Erin's Melody and the Andy Healy Band. Other highlights include storyteller David O'Doherty and writer Peter Stevens, author of Hidden History of the Boston Irish. General admission is $15, and $10 for members. Children under 12 are free. For more information, call 1888 GO IRISH or visit irishculture.org/ For a full list of Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts, visit irishmassachusetts.com