Irish Massachusetts

(BOSTON) -- The Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA) has issued its 2020 annual spring issue of Travel & Culture magazine, a compendium of Irish concerts, culinary, cultural and literary activities taking place in Massachusetts and throughout New England this spring, as well as travel tips for visiting Ireland this year. The magazine is distributed free at visitor kiosks and cultural venues throughout Massachusetts and is available in digital format online on BITA’s home page. This issue has feature stories on St. Patrick’s Day activities, including parades, concerts, dance shows, literary and theatrical productions, culinary and other cultural celebrations. Among the top Irish shows profiled this season: Riverdance, A Celtic Sojourn, Celtic Woman, the High Kings, Cherish the Ladies, Lunasa and Cherish the Ladies. Stories on local organizations include the 20th Annual Irish Film Festival Boston which focuses on women in films this year. Other profiles include the Ir...

The Irish Cultural Centre of New England is presenting a Ceili for Leap Year with top Irish traditional musicians at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020.  Admission is $12 at the door. Musicians include  uilleann piper Joey Abarta , fiddler Nathan Gourley and guitarist Devin McCabe .  Abarta and Gourley released an acclaimed traditional album, Copley Street , in 2016. Opened in 1999, the Irish Cultural Centre is a year round facility on 46 acres, offering music and dance, theater and literary activities, educational courses and social activities.  Learn more about the ICC . Find year round details on Irish cultural activities at IrishMassachusetts.com.

The Irish International Immigrant Center, one of Boston’s leading immigrant advocacy groups for over three decades, has changed its name to  Rian Immigrant Center . Rian (Ree-Ann), the Irish word for path, honors the groups Irish roots while reflecting its inclusive mission of empowering immigrant and refugee families on the path to opportunity, safety and a better future for all. The Center’s new logo is inspired by the Giant's Causeway on the north coast of Ireland, natural hexagonal stones formed 60 million years ago by cooling lava. The symbol represents how the Rian Immigrant Center provides the support to chart a pathway forward. “Our work has never been in higher demand,” said  Ronnie Millar,  executive director of the Rian Immigrant Center. “In recent years that path has grown more difficult. Legal obstacles, bureaucratic thickets, even physical barriers obstruct the path to legal status and citizenship. Together with our public and private par...

The Rev. James T. O’Reilly OSA Division 8 Ancient Order of Hibernians in Lawrence, Massachusetts has announced the recipients of the 2020 Awards. Among the winners: The Rev. Christopher J. Casey has been chosen as the 2020 recipient of the Richard Cardinal Cushing Award.  He is a native Lawrencian and was ordained at Holy Cross Cathedral in 2007 by Sean Cardinal O'Malley.     The Richard Cardinal Cushing Award was established in 1974, and named for the legendary Archbishop of the Boston Archdiocese.   For the past 46 years this award has been presented to an individual in the Greater Lawrence area who emulate the characteristics of this beloved prelate. Mark J. Alaimo is the 2020 Irishman of the Year.  A graduate Holy Trinity Grammar School, Central Catholic High School and Bentley University, Mark is  active in several Catholic fraternal and service organizations,  including AOH Division 8,  Sain...

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh received the prestigious Ambassador Award, presented annually by the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke.   The award recognizes a person who has worked to promote the relationship between the people of the Republic of Ireland and the people of the United States. Read more about Marty Walsh  and his Irish roots here. Among the distinguished winners from years past are: Patricia Harty , Publisher of Irish America Magazine,   Dr. Eoin McKernan , founder of the Irish American Cultural Institute, musicians  Tommy Makem  and  John McDermott , writer  Frank McCourt  and US Congressmen  Peter T. King  and  Richard E. Neal . Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States Daniel Mulhall was present for the award ceremony at Boston City Hall.  Here is a list of awardees this year. The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade , recognized as one of the nation’s finest Irish celebrations i...

The Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade celebrates its 15th anniversary as it steps off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020.  The two mile parade begins at Bass River Sports World at Long Pond Road and Route 28 in South Yarmouth and proceeds down Route 28, ending at the Town and Country Motor Lodge in West Yarmouth.  This year's Grand Marshals are World War II veterans who will lead the parade. They join a distinguished lineage of past grand marshals that have included Bruins legends  Bobby Orr and Terry O'Reilly, Boston Mayor and US Ambassador Ray Flynn, boxing champ Irish Micky Ward and singer Siobhan Magnus.  "From humble beginnings to today, we have been blessed with growth, achievement and support,” says Chairman Des Keogh, who thanked the spectators who brave the elements each year as well as the countless volunteers, local businesses, participating bands and the committee. The parade includes dozens of marching bands and pipe bands, includin...