Irish Cultural Centre's Inaugural Brian J. Donnelly Award Goes to Jim Brett on September 21 at Omni Parker House

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The Irish Cultural Center of Greater Boston is presenting The Inaugural Brian J. Donnelly Award for Leadership in Public Service to Jim Brett, a longtime politician, business leader, and advocate for disability rights.  The event takes place at historic Omni Parker House at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

All proceeds from this event goes toward the mission of the Irish Cultural Centre: to preserve and promote Irish culture and heritage through music, dance, arts, history, language, sports, festivals and other cultural events and activities.  Purchase tickets here.

A first-generation Irish American with parents from Tubbercurry, County Sligo, Jim and his wife, Patricia, reside in Dorchester. He had been honored by Irish America Magazine in New York in its Top 100 Irish-Americans in 2005, and received the Gold Medal Award from the Eire Society of Boston.  He is a Trustee of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and a former recipient of the Friends of the Kennedy Library Irishman of the Year award.  He is also a member of the Sligo Association of Boston.

President and CEO of The New England Council, the nation’s oldest regional business association, Brett was also a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 15 years.  

Jim has been a lifelong champion for people with disabilities, and has served on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. In 2014, Brett was inducted into the Special Olympics of Massachusetts for his work with athletes with disabilities. 

The award is named for Brian J. Donnelly, US Congressman from Boston and former United States Ambassador to Trinidad/Tobago.  An advocate for his district, Congressman Donnelly had a prolific tenure in Washington throughout his illustrious career. One of his most passionate projects was creating the Donnelly Visa, which helped many in Ireland to emigrate to the United States. This program extended to other nations and has had in profound impact on tens of thousands of families who now proudly call America home.

The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston is located in Canton, Massachusetts, on a 46 acre facility built by volunteers.   It opened its doors in 1989, and since then has developed into a year-round headquarters for Irish cultural and educational programs and sporting events in the region.  Read more about the ICC.
















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