Irish Massachusetts

Congratulations to the Reagle Theatre Company of Greater Boston, which won four awards at the 15th annual Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) ceremony this week.  Reagle was formed in 1969 by Robert J. Eagle as an outlet for talented high school and college students interested in theatre.  It is beloved and admired as one of the best small theatre companies in the region.  For a full list of award winners at this year's IRNE ceremony click here . For other cultural, literary, theatrical and musical activities taking place in Massachusetts year round, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .

The Huntington Theatre Company won a total of eight awards from the Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE), topping the number of awards among the region's theater community. The awards, for 2010 productions,  was initiated in 1997 as a way of recognizing the substantial wealth of talent in New England theater. For full details on the winners, click here , and also see a full schedule of Huntington's 2011-2012 schedule . For year round information on cultural activities in greater Boston, visit IrishBoston.org . For tourist information visit MassVacation or BostonUSA .

Irish rock band The Script is performing an outdoor concert in Boston at the Bank of America Pavilion on the waterfront on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The Boston Irish Tourism Association is giving away a free pair of tickets to the show, courtesy of LiveNation .  To enter for a chance to win, go to Contest Page and follow instructions.  The Dublin-based band has been described as a combination of U2, Timberlake and Van Morrison, with influences of Stevie Wonder and American soul music. . For a list of summer concerts at Bank of America Pavilion, click here . For Irish and other cultural activities in greater Boston, visit IrishBoston.org .

Irish traditional band Runa is performing at the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, Rhode Island on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.   Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. The band consists of Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia on vocals and piano; Fionan de Barra of Dublin on guitar, Cheryl Prasker of Canada on percussion and Tomoko Omura from Japan on fiddle.  For a full schedule of concerts at Blackstone River Theatre, click here . For year round information on Irish culture, heritage and history in greater Boston, visit the Boston Irish Tourism Association . For tourist information, visit MassVacation .

The Burren Pub in Davis Square, Somerville, is having its regular Local Artist Market on Saturday, April 23, 2011 from Noon to 4:00 p.m. There's an Easter theme to the art today, with Ukrainian Easter Eggs along with a great selection of jewelry, photography and other artisan products.    There's also a live bluegrass band playing throughout the day, and $5 lunch specials in the Burren. Check it out on Facebook to get more details.  The Burren is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year as one of America's best Irish pubs, with traditional Irish music seven days a week.  It was started by musicians Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello . For year round information on Boston's Irish community, visit IrishBoston.org .

Irish fiddle master Seamus Connolly is leading a group of talented musicians from his Gaelic Roots program to kick off the 13th annual Boston College Arts Festival taking place on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the O'Neill Plaza on campus. The Irish Music, Dance and Song set runs from Noon to 1:00 p.m. and the festival itself continues until 10:00 p.m. in the evening. Connolly , the Sullivan-in-residence scholar, is an award-winning fiddle player and a noted composer and researcher on traditional Irish music.  He started the Gaelic Roots program at Boston College in 1993 as a way of connecting BC's academic programs with the vibrant Irish traditional music scene in greater Boston and throughout the region.  Boston College has an important Irish Music Collection at the John J. Burns Library on campus. For year round details on Irish music and cultural activities in greater Boston, visit IrishBoston.org . 

Local historian Frank Ford is delivering a lecture on the outbreak of the American Civil War and the role played by soldiers from Lawrence, this Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library in Lawrence, Massachusetts. A member of the Division 8 division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians , Mr. Ford focuses on an incident that occurred on April 19, 1861, when a regiment of Massachusetts soldiers  attempting to pass through Baltimore, Maryland, were attached by Confederate loyalists.  Lawrence native Sumner Henry Needham was killed, becoming the first casualty of the war. Ford and his colleagues also organized an exhibit, Hometown Heroes: The Lawrence Irish and the Civil War , which is currently on public display at the Library. The lecture takes place in the Robert Frost Room of the Library, located at 51 Lawrence Street in the city of Lawrence.  For more information call 978 620-3600. For more events at Lawrence Public Libr...

Two great alternative rock indie bands Carbon Leaf and Alternate Routes are performing  at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury Massachusetts on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets to the show are $20 and can be ordered online . Based in Richmond VA, Carbon Leaf is celebrating its 20th year as a band with a national tour and the release of a new CD and DVD this May. Alternate Routes was formed in Bridgeport CT in 2002 and has been touring to support its recent album, Lately, released last fall. For a full schedule of live concerts at Blue Ocean Music Hall, click here . For year round information on Irish culture, heritage and history in greater Boston, visit the Boston Irish Tourism Association . For tourist information, visit MassVacation .

Irish fiddle legend Kevin Burke is giving a free performance at Four Green Fields Pub in downtown Boston on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., following a traditional session led by Sean Connor. Burke was a key figure in revitalizing traditional Irish music around the world since the 1970s, when he played with the seminal Irish group, the Bothy Band.  He also toured extensively with fellow Bothy Band member Micheal O Domhnail, and later was a founding member of Patrick Street, and performed also with Open House and the Celtic Fiddle Festival.  For a schedule of upcoming events at Four Green Fields click here . For year round details on cultural and literary activities throughout Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or  BostonUSA.com .

Black 47 - the legendary New York-based Irish-punk-rock band - is performing at Four Green Fields in downtown Boston on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at 8:00 p.m.   Admission is $10 and can be reserved by calling 617 367-4747. The band plays a lively mixture of Celtic folk music, rock n roll, rap and reggae topped by the poetic musings of lead singer Larry Kirwan . Located at One Boston Place in downtown Boston, Four Green Fields opened in February 2011, and is the city's newest Irish pub & restaurant.  For a full schedule of upcoming music and literary events at Four Green Fields, click here . For year round details on Irish music in greater Boston, visit IrishBoston.org .

Irish-American singer Pauline Wells headlines the 5th annual Celtic Crossing concert taking place on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Milton High School Auditorium in Milton, Massachusetts. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $25 and benefits the Jimmy Fund Clinic at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.  Wells, a police lieutenant in Cambridge, is an outstanding singer who also performs the National Anthem at Fenway Park and other sports venues in Boston.  She is being joined by the traditional band Devri , the O'Dwyer School of Irish Dance, and the Boston Police Gaelic Colum of Pipes and Drums .  Radio personality John Fitzgerald is the master of ceremonies. To order tickets, call 617 696-7172 or pauline@paulinewells.com . For year round information on Irish culture, history and heritage in the Boston area, visit IrishBoston.org .

The Boston Irish Tourism Association is raffling off a pair of free tickets to see Alternative rock indie band Carbon Leaf performing at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury Massachusetts on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 8:00 p.m., along with opening band Alternate Routes .  To enter the BITA Contest, click here . Tickets to the show are $20 and can be ordered online . Based in Richmond VA, Carbon Leaf is celebrating its 20th year as a band with a national tour and the release of a new CD and DVD this May. For a full schedule of live concerts at Blue Ocean Music Hall, click here . For year round information on Irish culture, heritage and history in greater Boston, visit the Boston Irish Tourism Association . For tourist information, visit MassVacation .

Pilgrim Soul Productions has announced auditions for The Cripple of Inishmaan by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh are taking place on Tuesday, April 12, at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center , and on Thursday, April 14, at the Singh Performance Center in Whitinsville, Massachusetts.  Both auditions start promptly at 7:00 p.m. Reading copies of scripts are available at the Periodicals Desk of the Worcester Public Library   in Salem Squqre. The play, scheduled for production on October 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 2011 at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center, is being directed by Aimee Kewley.   For questions, please contact Ms. Kewley at aimeekewley@hotmail.com or 508 868-4531. For more information on the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center, click here . For year round details on Irish cultural activities throughout Massachusetts and the New England states, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com .

The 126th season of the Boston Pops runs from May 11- June 26, 2011, with a sparkling array of artistic talent and musical tastes for music lovers everywhere. The season kicks off on Wednesday, May 11, with a tribute to Judy Garland by vocal master Linda Eder, and continues through June 26 with an exciting performance by Ricky Scaggs and Kentucky Thunder featuring a tribute to America's love of horses. You can see a full schedule of the artists and conductors here .  For a full schedule of events, click here .   For year round details on cultural activities, travel packages and festivals throughout the summer, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com .

Traditional Irish flute and tin whistle master Larry Nugent is performing a free concert at Boston College on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  It takes place at the Connolly House, 300 Hammond Street in Chestnut Hill. Nugent is from Lack, County Fermanagh, a place rich in traditional music, singing and storytelling. The concert is part of the Gaelic Roots program organized by Irish fiddle master Seamus Connolly .  For a complete of Irish music and other cultural activities in Massachusetts and the New England states throughout the year, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .

Boston Irish Tourism Association has published a selection of great festivals in Ireland in spring and summer 2011, ranging from the Derry Jazz Festival and the Dublin Soul Festival to the Tall Ship Regatta in Waterford and Storytelling Festival in County Cork.  Also included with the festival schedule is a list of free or inexpensive things to do any time of year throughout the island. Ireland is more affordable than ever in 2011, says Tourism Ireland, the agency that promotes the island of Ireland.  To get more details, visit DiscoverIreland.com .  To find special tour packages from American-based travel agencies, visit InRoads Ireland or Isle Inn Tours . For Irish culture, history and heritage in greater Boston and the New England states, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .

Nova Scotia’s Office of Gaelic Affairs has announced a Gaelic Bards commemoration event taking place on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The event celebrates the Scottish Gaelic poetry that came out of Nova Scotia in the 19th century, particularly the work of Ailean “the Ridge” MacDonald. A selection of his compositions will be sung by Goiridh Domhnallach and  Catriona Parsons. The event is co-sponsored by the Antigonish Highland Society , which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.  For tourist information about traveling to Nova Scotia, visit novascotia.com  Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage PO Box 456 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 2R5 1 800 565-0000 Novascotia.com

Caroline Kennedy is appearing at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston on Thursday, April 7, 2011 to sign copies of her new book, She Walks in Beauty: A Woman's Journey Through Poems.   Prior to the book signing, from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.,  several women poets - including Naomi Shibab Nye and Elizabeth Alexander - will read from the collection of poems Kennedy has edited.  For a full schedule of upcoming events at the JFK Library, click here .  For year round information on Irish cultural events in Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com .