Irish Massachusetts

On Saturday, June 3 at 1 p.m., the local men's and women's chapters of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 8 , is holding its annual Great Hunger Commemoration at the An Gorta Mor Memorial in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence. The commemoration includes a memorial service led by Division Chaplain, the Very Rev. John W. Delaney, V.F and a short address by our Division Historian Frank O’Connor Jr., followed by a laying of the wreath at the memorial.  During this service the AOH will also remember its deceased members. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held in the Mausoleum on the grounds of the cemetery. Light refreshments will follow the ceremony. All AOH & LAOH members, their families and friends are welcome.  The cemetery is located at 29 Barker Street, Lawrence, MA The An Gorta Mor Memorial in Lawrence was formally unveiled on May 6, 2006, thanks to the efforts of the late Dave Burke , Division 8 President William J. Sullivan and memb...

The board of Tourism Ireland today confirmed it has selected Alice Mansergh as the organization’s new Chief Executive Designate.  Alice is currently Managing Director, Google Customer Solutions, UK & Ireland, and corporate reputation lead for Google’s EMEA HQ, based in Dublin. Alice has almost 20 years strategic leadership experience, specializing in leading international marketing teams, consumer brand engagement strategies and corporate responsibility. A skilled communicator and partner to public and private enterprises, Alice has wide experience working with travel industry partners and has served on the board of Fáilte Ireland for the past five years.  The appointment is subject to formal ratification by the North South Ministerial Council.  Alice will take up the position on 18 September 2023.  Alice joined Google in 2004 and has served in senior roles, including as Head of Operations for UK & Ireland; Head of B2B Customer Marketing, EMEA; Head of Chrome...

  We Are Boston  was unveiled today as Boston’s Host City Brand for the FIFA World Cup 26 TM, marking a major milestone on the road to the fourth FIFA World CupTM hosted in the city, including one previous men’s edition (’94) and two editions of the women’s tournament (’99 and ’03). The We Are Boston creative vision celebrates a vibrant city steeped in over 400 years of history, driven forward by a pioneering spirit rooted in the birth of the American Revolution that has fostered a hub of innovation, creativity, and culture that spans a diverse tapestry of 23 distinct neighborhoods. Boston’s Official Host City Brand was revealed at a special launch at Big Night Live in Boston on Thursday, May 18. Robert Kraft, chairman & CEO of the Kraft Group and honorary chairman of the 2026 World Cup United Bid Group, Jonathan Kraft, president of the Kraft Group, Martha J. Sheridan, president and CEO of Meet Boston, and Brian Bilello, president of Boston Soccer 2026 and the New England ...

(Clockwise: Boston Irish Famine Memorial, Deer Island Famine Memorial, Children of the Famine Memorial in Charlestown, An Gorta Mor Memorial in Lawrence, and Cambridge Irish Famine Memorial in Cambridge) In tribute to Ireland's National Famine Commemoration ceremonies on May 21, 2023, the Boston Irish Tourism Association shares this roundup of Irish Famine Memorials throughout Massachusetts.  These memorials were erected between 1997 and 2019, and built by local communities to commemorate the Irish Famine of the 1840s, which killed one million people and sent an additional two million people into exile.  The Irish Famine is also known as An Gorta Mor, or the Great Hunger. Many of the Irish who fled Ireland arrived at Boston Harbor, starving and sick, and were quarantined at Deer Island before being allowed to come ashore. Many of them died on the island and over 800 are buried there. In 1847 alone, 25,000 Irish arrived in Boston, according to historians Thomas O'Connor a...

  Photo: The Robert Bennet Forbes House Museum in Milton received a grant to restore its Barn and Carriage House buildings This week,  MassDevelopment  and  Mass Cultural Council , two state agencies that jointly administer the  Cultural Facilities Fund  (CFF), announce the  94 recipients of the FY23 CFF grant round , investing a total of $7,661,000 into cultural facilities and projects throughout the Commonwealth. “Massachusetts is fortunate to be home to many museums, theaters, and other arts and culture-based destinations, and the Cultural Facilities Fund provides an important avenue for the Commonwealth to co-invest in their upkeep and expansion,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera. “These institutions are core to our economy – driving tourism, creating jobs, and educating and inspiring countless visitors. MassDevelopment is proud to administer this fund together with the Mass Cultural Council, and thanks the Healey-Driscoll Administ...

Mary McAleese , the former president of Ireland, is visiting Salve Regina University in Newport, RI on Wednesday, May 17, as part of the school's 75th anniversary celebrations.   President McAleese and Salve Regina President Keli Armstrong are having a conversation, open to the public, at 2:30 p.m. at McAuley Lawn at 36 Ochre Point on campus.  They'll discuss a wide range of topics, including justice, equality, social inclusion, anti-sectarianism and reconciliation.  The event is free and to reserve a spot,  register  here.  President of Ireland from 1997-2011, McAleese is currently chancellor of Trinity College Dublin, and professor of children, law and religion at the University of Glasgow.   Newport is a city with deep Irish roots, dating back to 1729, when Irish philosopher George Berkley lived at nearby Whitehall in Middleton until 1732.  And in the 19th century, Irish immigrants settled here during the 1840s and througho...

Bostonians are gathering at the Irish Famine Memorial on Deer Island in Boston Harbor at 4 p.m. on Saturday,  June 17, 2023. (The initial date of May 20 has been postponed because of the weather.) A memorial mass is taking place at the memorial, led by Father Dan Finn of the Irish Pastoral Centre of Boston. The Ancient Order of Hibernians and other local Irish-American groups are also participating. The purpose of the gathering is to pay tribute to the 19th century Irish immigrants who died on the island after being quarantined there upon their arrival from Ireland. Originally unveiled on May 25, 2019, the Celtic Cross on Deer Island honors the Irish who died on in quarantine and were buried there. Read more about the Deer Island Memorial unveiling here. Ireland's National Famine Commemorate Day is Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Donegal, and is presided over by Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins. Deer Island is the site of the region's water water facility, which is run...

In 2023, the beloved Boston Celtic s are deep into the playoffs, having defeated the Philadelphia 76s and now taking on the Miami Heat.     See the playoff schedule here .  Many people wonder why the Boston Celtics wear shamrocks on their green uniforms and have a giant leprechaun smoking a pipe as their team logo. And why the team mascot is a guy named Lucky who looks like he stepped out of a box of Lucky Charms? According to the Boston Celtics’ official website , the name came about in 1946 when owner Walter Brown started the team. He and his public relations guy, Howie McHugh, were throwing out potential nicknames, including the Whirlwinds, Unicorns and Olympics. It was Brown who had the epiphany, saying, “Wait, I’ve got it – the Celtics. The name has a great basketball tradition from the old Original Celtics in New York (1920s). And Boston is full of Irishman. We’ll put them in green uniforms and call them the Boston Celtics.” Red Auerbach , the now legendary coach of...

On Saturday, May 13, starting at 7 p.m., the    Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston  presents the  Boston and New England Rose of Tralee Selection , where more than 20 young women will compete to represent the region at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in County Kerry later this summer. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance.  Noted Irish Tenor Ciaran Nagle is performing during the show's interval. One of Ireland’s oldest and largest festivals, this year's Rose of Tralee International Festival takes place in County Kerry, Ireland on August 18-22, 2023.  It featuring live concerts, street entertainment, circus, markets, a funfair, fireworks and the internationally renowned Rose Parade. The heart of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry for a global celebration of Irish culture. Apply to become a Rose here. Here is a schedule of upcoming ac...