Irish Massachusetts

As Massachusetts completes the celebration of Irish American Heritage Month and Women’s History Month in March, here’s a special shout-out to former Massachusetts State Representative Marie E. Howe, a notable Irish-American woman.  A lifelong resident of Somerville, Howe was elected to the House of Representatives from the 31st Middlesex District, holding office from 1965 to 1988.  While in office, Marie also served on the Commerce and Labor, Rules, and Ways and Means Committees. She was instrumental in supporting a stronger Lemon Law to make sure consumers got fair treatment when purchasing automobiles.   Marie was also a trailblazer in terms of women's equality.  In April 1975, Representative Howe and State Representative Lois Pines served as co-chairs of the newly formed Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators , during a time when there were 16 women total in the House and Senate.   Today there are more than  60 legislators in the Massachuset...

St. Patrick’s Day may be over, but there’s still plenty of Irish activities in New England as the nation’s most Irish region celebrates Irish-American Heritage Month throughout March. The Boston Irish Tourism Association has a sampling below of activities taking place from March 21-31, 2022.  Celtic Woman   Grammy nominated Celtic Woman , the most successful all-female Irish group in history, is currently on an 83-city North American tour called Postcards from Ireland, including these stops in New England.  March 24 - Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA  March 29 - Merill Auditorium, Portland, ME  March 30 - The Flynn Center, Burlington, VT  March 31 - Capitol Center, Concord, NH  Blackstone River Theatre (BRT)   This gem of a concert hall in Cumberland, RI has been a treasure for live, acoustic music in New England for many years. On March 26 at 8 p.m., BRT Presents: Mile Twelve, featuring five of the most promising young musicians in bluegrass: Ca...

What's coming up the weekend of March 19-20 in the New England Irish community?  The Boston Irish Tourism Association has this list of recommendations, from concerts and cultural events to parades.  enjoy Irish American Heritage Month in New England.  Concerts + Culture March 19 Rockport Music Presents: Danú Shalin Liu Performance Center 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA 978-546-7391 | $49 - $59 | 8:00 pm rockportmusic.org | Buy Tix One of Ireland’s most cherished Irish folk bands and among the leaders of the new traditionalist movement in Celtic music, Danú has been thrilling audiences with their instrumental virtuosity and powerfully emotive ballads for close to 20 years. The talented septet has successfully brought Celtic music back to its earthy, traditional roots while keeping a modern, youthful sensibility. The band has released seven records since forming in 1994, and has been voted Best Overall Traditional Act by Dublin magazine's Irish Music, as well as the Best Trad...

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare (SOURCE Tourism Ireland) "There is only one place to be on St Patrick's Day and that is  Ireland . The stunning emerald isle has removed all Covid restrictions and is fully open and ready to welcome vacationers for the experience of a lifetime. " St Patrick's Festival  is truly one of the great spectacles of the world — a week-long celebration of music, dance and outdoor shows culminating in the fabulous St. Patrick's Day parade through the historic streets of  Dublin  on  March 17th . Regional parades take place in cities such as Kilkenny, Limerick and Killarney. "One can also visit the  'Home of St Patrick '  in  Northern Ireland  and check out the St Patrick's center in Downpatrick which is the world's only permanent exhibit to our patron saint. "The St Patrick's festival is the highlight of the early vacation season. We have fabulous new attractions including the  Game of Thrones Studio Tour  at Lin...

Chloe Agnew, Celtic Woman   The Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA) is offering free pairs of tickets to some of the most popular Irish and Celtic music concerts in New England this March, as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the most Irish-American region of the nation. "We are delighted to be offering tickets to enjoy these amazing performers at some of our finest cultural venues in New England," says Colette Quinlin of BITA .  "Now that live performances and in-house audiences are back, we want to support this cultural enterprise as much as we can." To enter to win free tickets, to to BITA's contest page and enter as many times as you wish.  Winners are notified several days prior to each concert.   Music lovers also have the option to purchase tickets online to secure tickets, since many of these concerts are expected to sell out.  BITA is celebrating its 22nd year as a unique cultural tourism organization that promotes the culture, educ...

  Photos Clockwise: JFK Statue at the State House in Boston; Kennedy Park in Holyoke; Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate in Boston; John F. Kennedy Birthplace in Brookline; Kennedy Museum in Hyannis; Rose F. Kennedy Garden in Boston; and JFK Library + Museum in Boston. On January 9, 1961 , President-Elect John F. Kennedy Delivered his now-famous "City on a Hill" speech at the Massachusetts State House before a joint session of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Massachusetts is Kennedy Country. From the streets of Boston and Brookline to the sandy beaches of Hyannisport and the mill city of Holyoke, the Kennedy legacy is integral part of Massachusetts. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum Dorchester, Boston The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum sits on a ten-acre, waterfront parcel on Columbia Point overlooking Boston Harbor. Since it opened on October 20, 1979, the JFK Library has hosted millions of visitors from thr...

  Danú in Rockport, MA   New England is decidedly the most Irish-American region in the United States; five of the region’s six states boasts 16-20% of their residents claiming Irish ancestry.     That said, here is just a sampling of Irish cultural, culinary and heritage activities during Irish Heritage Month in March.   Téada in Cumberland, Rhode Island Blackstone River Theatre Rhode Island’s popular concert venue presents Rock Hearts, a veteran band of Southern New England bluegrass and old time musicians, at the Theatre on March 12 at 8 p.m. On March 19 at 8 p.m. the Theatre presents Téada 8 p.m., a past winner of "Best Young Irish Traditional Act" at Ireland's Music Awards.  On Saturday, March 26, the Theatre welcomes Mile Twelve, a line-up of five young up-and-coming musicians specializing in bluegrass at 8 p.m.  Irish Cultural Centre of New England The hub of Irish culture in greater Boston, the ICCNE prese...