Irish Massachusetts

Clerys in Boston's South End is having a Super Bowl party on Sunday, February 5, 2012, to root on the New England Patriots in Superbowl XLVI. Admission cost is $15 and includes a guaranteed seat for your group, two drink tickets and a tailgate buffet for the first half of the game.  Clerys is also rolling out the 1st annual Wing Eating Contest. Located at 115 Dartmouth Street at the corner of Columbus Avenue, Clerys is a great neighborhood watering hole, just steps away from Bay Bay T Station and Copley Square.   Here are directions . Check out other pubs and restaurants owned by the Glynn Hospitality Group . For year round Irish cultural activities in greater Boston, visit IrishBoston.org .

Four Green Fields Irish Pub in downtown Boston, boasting one of the biggest television screens in the entire city, is throwing an all-day Superbowl party on Sunday, February 5, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. until closing.  The game between the New England Patriots and New York Giants starts at 6:00 p.m., so get your seats early.  In addition to the optimal viewing experience of the giant screen, check out the great menu of dinner, appetizers and snacks, as well as a fully stocked bar with your favorite beers and beverages. Reserved seats are $25 per person.   A buffet appetizer station is also available at $20 per person.   Please call Four Green Fields at 617 367-4747 for more information.   For a list of Irish cultural activities taking place in greater Boston visit IrishBoston.org For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com .  

Preparing for the Super Bowl this Sunday?  Here's a great way to get in shape for a long day of cheering, eating, drinking, and cheering some more.  Take the 5K Bur-Run through Somerville, sponsored by the Burren Pub in Davis Square.  You can change into your running gear in the Back Room of the Burren, then return after the race for a meal and some great acoustic music. Go Pats ! For a list of Irish pubs in greater Boston where you can watch the Super Bowl, click here . 

The US Census Bureau released its annual Irish Heritage Month statistics in anticipation of St. Patrick's Day in March.  The findings reveal that 34.7 million Americans claim Irish ancestry, which is more than seven times the population of Ireland itself. "Irish was was the nation's second most frequently reported ancestry, trailing only German," the report noted. In February 2011, the Bureau reported that Massachusetts is the most Irish state in America , with nearly 24% of residents claiming Irish ancestry.   Here is a breakdown of the towns in Massachusetts with the highest Irish ancestry: 47.5 Scituate 46.5 Braintree 45.8 Hull 45.6 Marshfield 44.9 Avon 44.9 Pembroke 44.6 Milton 44.5 Abington 44.3 Whitman 44.2 Hanover 43.4 Weymouth 43.0 Walpole 42.2 Holbrook 41.4 Duxbury 41.2 Norwell 40.8 Hanson To find out about Irish heritage in Massachusetts, visit IrishHeritageTrail.com   For year round details on Irish cultural activities, visit...

Congratulations to South Boston State Senator Jack Hart , who was named Assistant Majority Leader in the Massachusetts Senate by State Senate President Therese Murray earlier this month. Senator Hart replaces former Senator Stephen Tolman from Brighton, who is now president of the AFL-CIO in Massachusetts. "I am honored to be afforded this opportunity by Senate President Murray, a woman and a leader whom I greatly admire," Hart said.  "In this position, I hope to work with the leadership and the members to continue to do good things for the people of the Commonwealth." A lifelong resident of South Boston, Senator Hart presides over the annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast in Boston each year that precedes the St. Patrick's Day Parade.  Hart has also been a strong advocate for cultural tourism and is an active member of the T5 Committee , an initiative by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority to make Boston one of the top five conventi...

The Irish Pastoral Centre of Boston is celebrating the Feast of St. Brigid , one of Ireland's beloved patron saints, on Saturday, February 4, 2012, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Brendan's Parish in Dorchester. The event begins with a craft workshop for children, who will learn to make a St. Brigid's cross, and discover the history of Saint Brigid, who lived in the 5th century and is known as The Mary of the Gael. At 5:00 p.m. Father John McCarthy will celebrate Mass at St. Brendan's Church, and that is followed at 6:00 p.m. by supper and traditional Irish music and dancing. Musicians will be performing from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and Céol Trad.na hEiréann Tickets are $15 at the door or $12 in advance for adults, $5 for children ages six or above.  Children under five are free.  To order tickets in advance, please call the Centre at 1 855-479-2472 or organizer Maureen McNally at 781 871-1247.  Here are directions to St. Brendan's . Formed in 1987...

Popular Boston Irish band Devri is performing for the first time at the Black Rose Pub near Faneuil Hall on Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28, 2012 on the Main Stage, from 9:30 p.m. to closing. The legendary Black Rose , which just celebrated its 35 year anniversary , has live music seven nights a week and is a popular watering hole for local residents and visitors from throughout the world.  And it has a full menu of food selections including great fish n chips, beef stew and a wide selection of Irish and American fare. For more details on Irish cultural activities in greater Boston visit IrishBoston.org.

The Hanneke Cassel Band is performing at the Gaelic Roots music series at Boston College on Thursday, January 26, 2012, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  The concert is free and open to the public. The event takes place at BC's Brighton Campus, located at 2101 Commonwealth Avenue, formerly known as the Cardinal's Residence.  For directions click here .  The band includes Hanneke Cassel on fiddle, Ariel Friedman on cello and Christopher Lewis on guitar. The concert is part of the Gaelic Roots Music program founded by Seamus Connolly , All Ireland Fiddle Champion and Sullivan Artist in Residence at Boston College.   For a schedule of upcoming Gaelic Roots concerts this winter and spring, click here . For year round details on Irish music, dance, theater, literary, festivals, parades and other cultural activities, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . For tourist information visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com .

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum today announced that it has declassified and made available the final 45 hours of White House recordings that were secretly taped during President John F. Kennedy’s time in office. Today’s release encompasses meetings held during the three months leading up to the end of the Kennedy Administration. “The Library has been systematically reviewing and opening these secretly recorded tapes since 1993,” said Tom Putnam, Kennedy Library Director. “We are thrilled to have completed the process and know researchers will be fascinated with these recordings from John F. Kennedy’s final days as President.” Some of the recordings covered pertinent issues of the time - including Vietnam, relations with the Soviet Union, and plans for the 1964 Democratic convention - while other recordings captured the president's children, John and Caroline, in the Oval Office. For a schedule of upcoming forums and lectures coming to the J...

Check out this concert of bright young traditional Irish music stars at the Chatham Fiddle Company at 875 Main Street in Chatham on Cape Cod.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or by calling 917 416-0139. The concert features fiddler player Armand Aromin , uilleann piper Joey Abarta and guitarist and vocalist Lindsay Straw .   For directions click here . For year round details on Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts and the New England region, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .

A forum to discuss the career of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis takes place at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library on Monday, January 23, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Colleagues and writers, including Joe Armstrong , Betty Sue Flowers , Harriet Rubin and David Stenn share their memories of working with Jacqueline during her time as an editor in New York City.  Greg Lawrence, author of Jackie as Editor , moderates. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended.   For a schedule of upcoming Kennedy Library Forums, click here . For year round details on cultural activities in Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com .

Pianist and mandolinist Neil Pearlman and his band perform at Passim's in Harvard Square, Cambridge on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets to the show are $12 and can be purchased online or at the door. The son of acclaimed Scottish fiddle master Ed Pearlman and Scottish dancer Laura Scott , Neil is rooted in the intricate and swinging traditions of Cape Breton piano playing, and he is also an accomplished step dancer. For a schedule of upcoming performances at Passim's, click here . For year round details on Irish and Scottish cultural activities in Massachusetts and the New England states, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .

The Bohemian Quartet is performing a selection of Romanian gypsy music at the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or by calling (401) 725-9272. The Providence Journal wrote, "Watching the Bohemian Quartet perform live is like listening to history being preserved. In many ways, this gifted and exhilarating act is simply keeping a rare musical flame alive." For a complete schedule of upcoming acts at Blackstone River Theatre this winter, click here . Find year round details on cultural activities, including music and dance, theater and literary events, campus programs and more by visiting IrishMassachusetts.com .

The House of Blues in Boston has added a third Dropkick Murphys show for Wednesday, March 14, 2012.  Tickets for this show go on sale on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. The other two Dropkick shows at House of Blues, scheduled for March 15-16, are sold out.  Prices for the March 14 concert range from $32.50 for standing room and $60 for reserved seating and can be ordered online . Check out the full schedule of events at Boston's House of Blues. For additional St. Patrick's Day activities in Massachusetts this March, including parades, concerts, theater, pub events and cultural activities, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .  For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com .

( Image Courtesy of Massport ) President Barack Obama plans to make the United States the world’s top travel and tourism destination, according to a White House initiative announced today that would significantly increase travel and tourism to the United States while also adding jobs to the economy. Read full details from today's Press Release . “Every year, tens of millions of tourists from all over the world come and visit America. And the more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work,” said President Obama. One of the highlights of the initiative is to focus attention on America's national parks, cultural and historic sites, monuments and other public lands. This would be a tremendous tourism boost for Massachusetts, which is filled with significant historical and cultural sites, including the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum , the Adams National Historical Park , the Cape Cod National Seashore , and dozens of...

Colm O'Brien , the talented singer, songwriter and guitarist from Dublin, is performing at the Four Green Fields Pub in Boston on Thursday, January 19, 2012 starting at 6:00 p.m.   Admission is free and open to the public. Born into an illustrious family of traditional musicians, O'Brien has been performing in the United States for over a decade; he toured with the Prodigals for several years before embarking as a solo performer, releasing his acclaimed album, It Is What It Is , in 2005.  He'll be playing songs from his new album Rud Eile . Four Green Fields opened at One Boston Place in downtown Boston in February 2011 and has Irish music regularly throughout the year.  You can follow Four Green Fields on Facebook .  For more about Irish music and culture in greater Boston visit IrishBoston.org .

The Beer Summit Winter Jubilee is coming to Boston on Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21, 2012, to celebrate and pour over specialty beers from 66 brewers.  The event attracts master brewers and connoisseur beer drinkers from around the country. Participants are expected to check out some of greater Boston's popular Irish pubs and hotel bars during their visit, including famous Irish pubs like the Black Rose , Four Green Fields and Burren Pub , and classic hotel bars like the Last Hurrah at the Omni Parker House, Cuff's at Back Bay Hotel, and Tamos at Seaport Boston Hotel. For a list of cultural activities taking place in Boston over the weekend, including museums, concerts, exhibits and theater, visit IrishBoston.org .  For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com .

ArtsEmerson in Boston is showcasing one of America's classic films, Singin in the Rain , starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds , at the Paramount Theatre on Washington Street on Friday, January 20 at 8:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2012. Tickets are $10 general admission, $7.50 for members and seniors and $5 for students.  You can purchase tickets online .  First released in 1952, Singin in the Rain is considered one of the greatest Hollywood musicals ever made, and showcased the athletic and graceful footwork of Kelly. The screening is part of ArtsEmerson's film series, Gotta Dance: The American Movie Musical 1929-1953.  For a schedule of upcoming films in this series, click here .  For year round details on Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com .

The Butcher Shop Market in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood is now carrying Irish newspapers from around the 32 counties. Owner Alan Gibson says that he gets customers from all parts of Ireland into his shop, and many of them are looking for newspapers from home they can read each week. New issues of the papers will arrive each Saturday. The shop is located at 782 Adams Street in Adams Village, Dorchester, a popular destination for Irish emigrants and Americans who like authentic Irish meats and imported products.  For a list of products, click here . The Butcher Shop Market also has a dining area in the back, Mrs. Murphy's Kitchen , which serves Irish breakfast and other meals throughout the day. For more information call 617 288-5100. For directions click here . You can follow Butcher Shop Market on Facebook to find daily specials and other news about other Irish products. For year round details on Boston's Irish community, visit IrishBoston.org ...

ArtsEmerson is presenting Sugar , by Robbie McCauley at the Paramount Theatre in Boston from January 20-29, 2012. Written and performed by McCauley, a professor of Performing Arts at Emerson College, Sugar is a vivid portrayal of McCauley's life and her battle with diabetes.  Maureen Shea is the Director, and original music is by Chauncey Moore. For a schedule of upcoming events presented by ArtsEmerson, click here .  For year round cultural activities in greater Boston, visit IrishBoston.org . For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com .

The John F. Kennedy President Library in Boston is hosting a forum entitled, Assessing Obama's Presidency, to take place on Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Participants include Jonathan Alter , author of The Promise: President Obama, Year One, and Hendrik Hertzberg , columnist for The New Yorker, analyze the Obama presidency as the 2012 presidential race begins.  Moderator is former Boston Globe Editorial Page Editor Renee Loth . For a list of upcoming public forums at JFK Library, click here .  For year round information on cultural activities, lectures, theatre, festivals and special events in Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com . 

Dan Milner  The Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI is hosting a trio of musicians performing Irish, Scottish, and Maritime songs, on Friday, January 13, 2012, at 8:00 p.m.  The musicians include Irish singer Robbie O'Connell , Scottish singer Ed Miller and Maritime folk singer Dan Milner .  Tickets to the event are $15.00 at the door.  For a full schedule of musical events at Blackstone River Theatre this winter, click here . For year round details on Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts and the New England states, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .  For information about visiting Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com .

Master chef Barbara Lynch of South Boston was profiled this week in the New York Times. To read the story click here . Lynch started her cooking career at the local church rectory and moved quickly up the ranks, moving to Italy to learn from culinary masters, then opened her first restaurant No 9 Park, in downtown Boston in 1998. Today she runs a group of restaurants, cooking programs and shops that are spread across Boston's South End and South Boston.  Her first cookbook, Stir: Mixing it up in the Italian Tradition, was published by Houghton Mifflin Publishers in 2009. For year round news on cultural activities in greater Boston, visit IrishBoston.org . 

Actress Michelle Williams is to receive an 'Honorary Irish" award at this year's Oscar Wilde: Honoring the Irish in Film awards ceremony on February 23, 2012 in Santa Monica, California.  Now in its seventh year, the Oscar Wilde event is organized by the US-Ireland Alliance , a non-profit organization based in Virginia that promotes strong ties between Ireland and the United States in the fields of education, politics, business and the arts. Ms. Williams, who starts in the new film on Marilyn Monroe called My Week With Marilyn , is the first honorary Irishwoman honored by the Alliance, and follows in the footsteps of honorary Irishmen Paul Rudd, JJ Abrams and James L. Brooks.   Additional honorees for the Oscar Wilde awards will be announced in the coming weeks, according to Trina Vargo , founder and president of the Alliance. Find more information about US-Ireland Alliance . For ongoing Irish cultural activities, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .  ...

Yasmina Reza God of Carnage , a comedy of manners by by French playwright Yasmina Reza, opens at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston on Friday, January 6 and runs through Sunday, February 5, 2012. For ticket information click here . The Tony Award-winning play involves two sets of parents meeting for the first time to settle a schoolyard dispute between their respective sons.  The New York Times calls it "90 minutes of laughter that comes from the gut."  For more details and press reviews, click here . The Huntington Theatre Company is celebrating its 30th season as one of New England's premier professional theater companies.  For a full schedule of upcoming plays in the 2012 season, click here .  For year round details on cultural activities in Massachusetts and the New England states, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com .

The 9th annual Boston Celtic Music Fest takes place on Friday, January 6 and Saturday, January 7, 2012 at three music venues in Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The grass-roots organization, founded and run by musicians, features Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton and other Celtic and Celtic-inspired music in the Greater Boston area. The music takes place at three venues: The Atrium , Club Passim , and the First Parish Church .  For ticket information click here .  Among the performers in this year's Fest: the Boston Urban Ceilidh ,  Kimberly Fraser , Neil Pearlman, Hanneke Cassel ,  Flynn Cohen and Matt Heaton , and the Stoneybatter Band . A special concert for children is slated at the First Parish Church on Saturday, January 7, featuring storyteller Joe Keane , Hannah Sanders and Liz Simmons , Bridget Fitzgerald and Shannon Heaton , and a hurdy gurdy workshop. For a complete schedule of this year's Boston Celtic Music Festival, click here ....

The Hibernian Cultural Centre in Worcester, Massachusetts is giving free Irish dancing lessons on Monday, January 2, 2012 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  The lessons cover ceili dancing, set dancing and ballroom steps such as the foxtrot and waltz.  The lessons are given every Monday night through May 2012, and is sponsored by the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Foundation.  For a schedule of upcoming events at the Hibernian Cultural Centre, click here.   For directions, click here . For year round Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts and the New England states, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .