Irish Massachusetts

On Sunday, May 30, 1913, Massachusetts Congressman James Michael Curley laid the corner stone for the new Hibernian Building on Dudley Street in Roxbury, before a crowd of over 5,000 people.  Curley was joined by numerous Irish leaders from the city, state and nation, including members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians , which organized the project in 1906 to create a headquarters for AOH divisions throughout greater Boston. The ceremony was called to order by Patrick J. Larkin, president of the Hibernian Building Society.  Also on the dais were architect Edward T.P. Graham, past AOH National President Matthew Cummings, President of the Ladies Auxiliary Mrs. Ellen Ryan Jolley and AOH State President John H. Dillon. "The building will contain one of the largest dance halls in Boston, on the top floor of the four-story building, as well as a large banquet hall," and various smaller rooms for meetings and cultural activities, Graham told reporters.  "On the firs...

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill at the Lowell Folk Festival in July  Looking for outdoor Irish and Scottish festivals this summer in New England and Quebec?   The Boston Irish Tourism Association has released its schedule of the top festivals taking place in the region from June through September. The season opens on June 7-9, 2013, when Irish fiddle legend Eileen Ivers opens the Boston Irish Festival at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, and ends with the New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mountain on September 20-22, 2013, featuring Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas . Irish traditional duo Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill , uilleann piper Paddy Keenan , Scottish singer Charlie Zahm and Boston’s own Dropkick Murphys and are just some of the performers appearing at Irish and Celtic festivals in New England and Canada this summer, View the schedule of festival locations, dates and performers by visiting BITA's Festival Page.   More festivals ar...

The Boston Irish Tourism Association is offering guided tours of the Boston Irish Heritage Trail on Sunday, May 26, 2013, starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Boston Common Visitors Information Center.   The 75 minute walk led by an experienced tour guide takes you on 300 fascinating years of Boston’s unique Irish history and heritage.   You’ll discover the Irish role in the Revolutionary War, learn about the 19th century Famine generation and the Irish part in the Civil War.  And you’ll discover famous politicians - from James Curley and Kevin White to John Collins and the Kennedy family - who put their indelible stamp on the history of the city and the nation. The tour begins at the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common , which is located at 148 Tremont Street in downtown Boston. $15 per adult, $8 for children under twelve    You can purchase tickets at the Visitor Information Center front desk pri...

The Irish Cultural Centre in Canton is opening an exhibit of paintings by Daniel P. Roy on Saturday, May 18, 2013, with a reception from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  The reception is open and free to the public. Roy, from Woodstock, CT, has produced a series of surreal paintings of sheep and landscapes inspired by trips to the Irish countryside, specifically County Galway and the west of Ireland.  The exhibit is on display in the pub through the end of May.  Find out more information about year round activities at the Irish Cultural Centre.   And the Centre's annual Boston Irish Festival is right around the corner, schedule for June 7-9, 2013.   Find year round details on Irish activities in the region by visiting IrishMassachusetts.com .

Here is an article entitled Believe in Boston: Reflections on the Boston Marathon , by Michael Quinlin, in the June-July issue of Irish America Magazine , published in New York. Also, a fine editorial on the marathon entitled Grace and Healing by Patricia Harty, editor-in-chief of Irish America Magazine. Folllow TheBostonIrish on Twitter.

Governor Deval Patrick and Taoiseach Enda Kenny Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray led a trade delegation to Dublin, Ireland this week to promote expanding opportunities for economic development and job creation between Massachusetts and Ireland.  They met with Prime Minister of Ireland Enda Kenny , and with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Ireland Eamon Gilmore . The trade delegation attended the Digital Health and Life Sciences Trade Summit, sponsored by the Massachusetts’ Life Sciences Center and the HealthXL Accelerator Program .  They also met with the Ireland-Massachusetts Partnership. View more photos of the trip .  In 2012, Ireland was the Commonwealth’s 14th largest export partner, with over $509 million in goods and services to Ireland.  Massachusetts is also Ireland’s sixth largest import partner. The Commonwealth imported over $1.2 billion worth of goods and services from Ireland ...

Seamus Connolly , a noted Irish fiddle player whose music, compositions and teaching have influenced a generation of Irish musicians, is a recipient of the 2013 Ellis Island Medal of Honor on Saturday, May 11, 2013.  The ceremony, which is organized by the National Ethnic Coalition Organizations , takes place on Ellis Island. The medal is given annual to outstanding American citizens, from all walks of life, who have distinguished themselves through their significant contributions to the United States.  Connolly is one of 90 people across all ethnic communities to receive this year's award.  Here is a full list of the 2013 recipients . The Sullivan Artist in Residence at Boston College and founder of the school's Gaelic Roots program, Connolly grew up in County Clare and is a ten-time All Ireland champion on the fiddle.  He has recorded numerous albums and issued several books on Irish music.  Here is a profile of Seamus Connolly and one of his recent p...

The Boston Irish Tourism Association is offering guided tours of the Boston Irish Heritage Trail on Sunday, May 5, 2013, starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Boston Common Visitors Information Center.   The one-hour walk led by an experienced tour guide takes you on 300 fascinating years of Boston’s unique Irish history and heritage.   You’ll discover the Irish role in the Revolutionary War, learn about the 19th century Famine generation and the Irish part in the Civil War.  And you’ll discover famous politicians - from James Curley and Kevin White to John Collins and the Kennedy family - who put their indelible stamp on the history of the city and the nation. The tour begins at the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common , which is located at 148 Tremont Street in downtown Boston. $15 per adult, $8 for children under twelve    You can purchase tickets at the Visitor Information Center front desk pr...