Irish Massachusetts

FEBRUARY 28, 2022 • PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS For centuries, Irish Americans have played a crucial role in helping define the soul of our Nation, and today, nearly 1 in 10 Americans proudly trace their roots back to the Emerald Isle.  With hope and faith in their hearts, the first immigrants from Ireland crossed the Atlantic in search of liberty and opportunity.  It was the dream of a better life that brought my ancestors — the Blewitts of County Mayo and the Finnegans of County Louth — and countless other Irish immigrants.  Like so many Irish American families, my grandparents carried the spirit and memory of Ireland in their hearts — a pride and passion they instilled in their home in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  Through the journeys of their own mothers and fathers and in the lessons they passed on to my mother, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden, they joined Irish Americans in every corner of America in helping to write the next chapter of the American story. The story of I...

(BOSTON) --  February 28, 2022 -- The Spring 2022 issue of Travel & Culture Magazine is being released today by the Boston Irish Tourism Association, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day festivities, spring in New England and travel to Ireland. The free magazine is available at visitor centers and cultural venues in greater Boston and throughout New England, or in digital format online. The St. Patrick’s Day roundup includes the season’s best Irish concerts, including Celtic Woman , the Irish Tenors and Máiréad Nesbitt , Danú and Téada , plus a schedule of Irish parades in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Profiles in this issue include U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, USS Constitution Commander Billie Farrell and Boston City Council President Ed Flynn, plus a feature on Bridget’s - An Irish Tradition gift shop. The distinct Irish heritage of Newport RI is featured, and so is the upcoming Dine Out Boston on March 13-26, offering restaurant d...

 Ten Ways to Go Irish in Massachusetts in March 2022  St. Patrick’s Day Season + Irish Heritage Month (February 17, 2022) - With St. Patrick’s Day exactly one month away on Thursday, March 17, now is the perfect time to plan how you’d like to celebrate the season, also known as Irish Heritage Month in Massachusetts. According to the U.S. Census, nearly 20 % of all Massachusetts residents claim Irish ancestry, making it the largest ethnic group in the Commonwealth. With so much local Irish pride, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy Irish culture, history, heritage, cuisine, learning and what the Irish call the craic, or simply put, fun and enjoyment. Here are 10 ways for making the most of the St. Patrick’s Day season in Massachusetts.   1. Love a Parade    There are seven terrific Irish parades in Massachusetts, but here’s some advice: don’t wait until March 17 to find one! The marching season actually kicks off on Saturday, March 5 with the Cape Cod S...

Holyoke St. Patrick's Road Race As the St. Patrick's Day parades and festivities get underway in Massachusetts in March, why not sign up for an Irish-themed fun run Massachusetts.  It's a healthy way to usher in spring and prepare yourself for the festivities ahead!  The Boston Irish Tourism Association has compiled this selection of road races you'll enjoy running (or walking) to celebrate Ireland's patron saint.  On your marks!   March 6 The Claddagh Pub 4 Mile Classic Road Race   Lawrence  March 12 Irish Clover Five-Miler   Dracut  March 13  Half Marathon + Five Mile Race   Malden March 19 St. Patrick’s Road Race + Two Mile Walk    Holyoke  March 19 St. Patrick's 5K Marshfield March 19 Shamrock Stampede 5K Plymouth March 20 St. Patrick’s Day Road Race  South Boston Find details on St. Patrick's Day parades in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island for March 2022.    Here is an ongoing calend...

Celebrating St. Brigid this month? Here is a list of events and resources to help you enjoy and appreciate the role of St Brigid in Ireland and around the world.  According to the Embassy of Ireland in the United States , “In Ireland, the first of February marks the beginning of Spring and the celebration of Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day. Like many of Ireland’s other Christian feast days, Brigid predates Christianity – her roots lie in the Celtic festival of Imbolc, the feast of the goddess Brigid, celebrated at least five millennia ago. In old Irish, Imbolc means "in the belly", a reference to lambing and the renewal Spring promises.  To Be Irish on St Brigid's Day celebrates the amazing achievements and vibrant voices of women with a program of events from around the world. Here is the lineup at https://tobeirish.ie/events . Irish Screen America is showcasing some remarkable films  by five Irish women filmmakers, including Marian Quinn, Orla Walsh, Sinead O...