Irish Massachusetts

Photo Courtesy of Inroads Ireland  Looking into taking a tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland?  Here are some recommendations from the Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA) , which has been promoting Ireland in the American market since 2000. See details here  on Cara Group Travel, Emerald Heritage Tours and Inroads Ireland Tours. You can also learn about Tourism Ireland initiatives like the Wild Atlantic Way, Northern Ireland Coastal Route, the Fleadh Ceoil in Sligo, the year-long celebration of W.B. Yeats, and upcoming events in Ireland. For year round details on Irish activities in Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .

The 22nd annual  Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival  takes place on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at  Look Park  in Florence MA.  The festival runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.and features dozens of Scottish bands as well as sporting, cultural and culinary activities. Headlining bands include Albannach, Soulsha, Prydein, Jennifer Licko, Charlie Zahn and the Cabeys. Tickets are $12 general admission; $5 for children ages 5-12; and children under 5 go free. Read about the  history of the festival  here. Here is a schedule of other  Irish, Scottish and Celtic festivals  around New England this summer. For year round details, visit  IrishMassachusetts.com .

Boston Massacre Memorial Visitors to Boston can celebrate this year's Fourth of July by taking a guided tour of Boston's Irish Heritage Trail , focusing on the Irish who fought in the Revolutionary War and were part of America's quest for independence. The tour, led by seasoned guide Ted Kulik, takes place on Sunday, July 5, at 2:00 p.m., starting from the Boston Common Visitor Information Center.  Tickets, which can be purchased at the Center, are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors, students and military. Among the stops along the Trail: The Boston Massacre Memorial on Boston Common, erected in the 19th century by Irish leader J ohn Boyle O'Reilly and other Bostonians. Memorial to Commodore James Barry on Boston Common, a naval hero in the Revolutionary War who was born in Wexford and chosen by George Washington to create the first US Navy; The Old Granary Burying Ground on Tremont Street, where a number of 18th century freedom fighters are buried...