Irish Massachusetts

  On Monday, May 1, 2023, the John F. Kennedy Museum in Hyannis, Cape Cod presents a free talk at 11 a.m. by author and marine art historian Dr. Alan Granby on his book Wandering Whalemen and Their Art: A Collection of Scrimshaw Masterpieces .   Register here. Book purchase and signing is available, and children can make their own scrimshaw, courtesy of  Cape Cod Maritime Museum  . The lecture is part of the Free Museum Monday at the Kennedy Museum Hyannis.  All exhibits are open with free admission all day!  Here is a schedule of upcoming events at the John F. Kennedy Museum, located at 397 Main Street in Hyannis, Cape Cod. 

  The 38th James Joyce Ramble , an inspired 10 km road race in the spirit of Ireland's greatest novelist James Joyce, takes place at the Endicott Estate in Dedham, MA on Sunday, April 30 starting at 11 a.m.  Founded in 1984 by local resident Martin Hanley, the Ramble features championship runners who are cheered on by costumed literary thespians reading excerpts from Joyce's novels - Ulysses and Finnegan's Wake - and other literary passages to inspire the runners. The day also includes a children's race hosted by children's book author Peter Reynolds, as well as a fund raising walk for Dana Farber.  For the ninth straight year, the James Joyce Ramble is also hosting the USA National Masters 10 km Championship, which begins 5 minutes before the main race.    After the race, there is a concert by Dennis Brennan on the lawn of Endicott Estate, as well as food tents by Blue Ribbon and others, along with Jack's Abby's fine lager. The costumed thespians are hos...

State Senator Nick Collins, winner of the 2023 Maritime Champion Award BOSTON  –Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today joined elected officials and community stakeholders to celebrate the start of the 2023 cruise season at Flynn Cruiseport Boston .   At the event, Massport recognized  State Senator Nick Collins  with the 2023 Maritime Champion Award for his support and advocacy of the maritime economy in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth. “The Senator has always been a strong advocate for the maritime businesses and partners in his community, and has both honored the Commonwealth’s maritime history and helped to guide the industry into the future,” said    Massport CEO Lisa  Wieland. “We thank him for his dedication and support.” “Throughout the city’s history, the maritime industry has played such an integral role in our local and regional economy, generating jobs in Boston and across the Commonwealth,”  said Senator Nick Collins . “I...

The Boston Irish Tourism Association has issued its annual roundup of top outdoor festivals in New England this summer and fall. The list includes a variety of Irish and Celtic festivals, as well as classical and folk music gatherings, plus a selection of seafood, culinary and beer fests.   You can find more details on each event at BITA’s festival page .  MAY   May 20-21  Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival Bowen's Wharf  Newport, RI  JUNE   June 17  Blackstone River Theatre’s  Summer Solstice Festival  Diamond Hill Park  Cumberland, RI  June 17 Sounds of Summer Irish Cultural Centre Canton, MA  June 24-25  Milton Music Festival   Governor Hutchinson's Field Adams Street Milton, MA  JULY   July 4-23 Newport Classical Music Festival   Various Locations Newport, RI  July 15  Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival   Look Park  Florence, (Northampton), MA  July 28-30  ...

Malin Head, Donegal Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is an amazing visitor experience that showcases nature at its most dramatic. The rugged western coastline transversing seven counties features wave-lashed cliffs, golden beaches and mountain-to-sea landscapes, as well as picturesque towns, fascinating heritage sites and cultural experiences.  Here is just a sampling of what you'll find along the Wild Atlantic Way. County Cork A culinary hotspot, whale watching look-out and heritage haven, County Cork offers a bit of everything. Don’t miss the seventeenth-century lighthouse on the  Old Head of Kinsale , the most southerly point of the Wild Atlantic Way, and the nearby Lusitania Museum. Visit the charming town of Clonakilty, walk golden Inchydoney Strand or take to the water for some surfing thrills. County Kerry The Ring of Kerry is simply breath-taking and one of the best ways to see it is on a  bike . Skirting shimmering lakes, climbing through mountain passes and glimpsing...

The annual Patriots Day celebration held each April in Massachusetts is a cherished remembrance of local American history and heritage. It harkens back to April 19, 1775, when  farmers and merchants, townspeople and volunteer soldiers in Concord, Lexington and nearby towns who banded together against encroaching British troops.    The confrontation began when British soldiers set out from Boston Common to Concord with the purpose of seizing  guns and ammunition  held by the Americans, and to capture Sam Adams and John Hancock.  Bostonians Paul Revere and William Dawes rode off on horseback to warn their fellow countrymen that ‘the British are coming.’  The initial confrontation at North Bridge in Concord became known as ‘the shot heard round the world,’ which sparked the American Revolution. In the ensuing 248 years, Americans have celebrated that auspicious battle, but it wasn’t until April, 19, 1894 that Governor Frederic Greenhalge officially declar...

Bushmills Distillery  Northern Ireland has unveiled a new  spirits trail  that offers visitors a chance to experience first-hand the world's most acclaimed distilleries.   Home to one of the oldest licensed whiskey distilleries in the world -  the Old Bushmills Distillery - Northern Ireland's long history of distilling excellence is being renewed constantly with new whiskey and gin distilleries that evoke the passion and inspiration of this amazing industry.    The trail begins at Belfast Artisan Gin School where visitors can learn to make their own gin and take home a bottle of their unique creation.   Then on to County Down where five of the 14 destinations on the trail are located. At Copeland Distillery , visitors will hear tales of secret smugglers, savage battles and remarkable voyages, while soaking up a taste of its whiskey, gin, and rum.  The field-to-glass Echlinville Distillery will reveal how the farm-grown barl...