Irish Massachusetts

EMK Institute at Columbia Point  The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate , in collaboration with the Irish Consulate in Boston and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute at Maynooth University  in Ireland, presents a program titled '100 Years of Freedom: Ireland Then and Now.' It takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on T uesday, September 27 at the EMK Institute at Columbia Point in Dorchester.  Admission is free but registration is required.   Here are directions and parking instructions .  F ormer Irish Prime Minister  Bertie Ahern is  delivering the keynote address. Other participants include Rev. Dr. Gary Mason , Director of “Rethinking Conflict,” former Massachusetts Senate President  Therese Murray , and Professor  Robert Savage  of Boston College.   Kevin Cullen  of The Boston Globe is moderator. The conversation will focus on Irish cultural identity after the 1916 rebellion as well as the curren...

Twenty-five South Boston  military soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation during the Vietnam War are being honored today at a ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of the South Boston Vietnamese Memorial . Activities include a 10:30 a.m. Memorial Mass at St. Brigid’s Church , located at 845 East Broadway, followed by a re-dedication ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Medal of Honor Park, which is located at M Street Park in South Boston Special guests include Medal of Honor recipients Tom Kelley, Barney Barnum and Ryan Pitts. Former US Senator James H. Webb, Jr. , a decorated Vietnam Veteran, is the guest speaker.   Webb has been a combat Marine, a counsel in the Congress, an assistant secretary of defense and Secretary of the Navy, an Emmy-award winning journalist and a filmmaker, and is the author of 10 books. Governor Charlie Baker , Mayor Marty Walsh , former US Ambassador and Mayor Ray Flynn  and other local officials a...

Singer Andy Irvine, an iconic figure in Irish traditional music, is performing in concert at the Burren Pub in Davis Square, Somerville, at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21.   Ticket information here . A founding member of Sweeney's Men, Planxty and Patrick Street, Irvine is a gifted ensemble player, but is best known or his exquisite vocal interpretations of folk songs that resonate as both traditional and contemporary expressions. Here is a full schedule of upcoming concerts at the Burren Pub. For year round information on Irish cultural activities, visit IrishBoston.or g.

Ray Flynn , former Mayor of Boston  and US Ambassador to the Vatican, was recently interviewed by Aleteia , the worldwide Catholic network, about his friendship with Mother Teresa. Flynn talks about first meeting Mother Teresa in 1982, when she came to Harvard University to deliver the commencement speech, and about her interest in the poor.  She returned to Massachusetts in 1985, 1988 and again in 1995. Read the Aleteia article here . Flynn and his wife Cathy traveled to the Vatican in Rome, Italy last week for Mother Teresa's canonization as a saint in the Catholic Church, as recounted in the Boston Herald . Find out more about Mother Teresa and her work that continues by visiting MotherTeresa.org .

Celtic Thunder , the popular Irish singing quintet whose popularity on PBS launched their international career, returns to Massachusetts on Sunday, September 18, 2016 for a concert at Boston's Orpheum Theatre . The Boston Irish Tourism Association is giving away a pair of free tickets to the show.   Enter the contest here . Or, you can purchase tickets online at Ticket Master. Celtic Thunder is on a national tour this fall, visiting dozens of cities across North America. Find year-round information on Irish cultural activities in the region by visiting IrishMassachusetts.com . 

The Boston Irish Tourism Association has scheduled a guided tour of the Irish Heritage Trial to take place at 10:30 a.m.on Sunday, September 11, 2016, starting at the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common. The 75-90 minute walk is conduced by experienced tour guide Ted Kulik.  Tickets to the walk are $15 for adults, and $12 for seniors, military and children under 12.  Tickets can be purchased at the visitor center on the day of the tour, by filling in the online form , or by calling 617 536-4100, x 888. The Irish Heritage Trail  is a collection of public landmarks, memorials, cemeteries and institutions that help depict over 300 years of the Irish experience in greater Boston. To find out about year round cultural activities in the Irish-American community, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .

The Boston Irish Tourism Association is giving away a free pair of tickets to see Irish singer/songwriter Glen Hansard , who appears at the Orpheum Theater in Boston on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Enter the contest here , or you can purchase tickets through TicketMaster . The popular musician, a longtime member of The Frames, is known for his song "Falling Slowly," which was in the Broadway hit Once: The Musical . For year round information on Irish events in Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com .