Irish Massachusetts

  Ireland's accomplished poet, musician and professor Paul Muldoon is appearing at the New Hampshire Book Festival in Concord, NH on Saturday, October 5, 2024 where he reads from his new work, Joy In Service on Rue Tagore , his 15th published book.   The reading takes place at at 9 a.m. at Capitol Center. for the Arts at 44 S. Main Street and is free to the public.  Muldoon is being introduced by Jennifer Militello , New Hampshire's Poet Laureate. The Irish Times called Muldoon's new book, "a densely allusive book, as one might expect, that makes of its breadth of reference a carousel ride through epochs, touchstone poems and themes, with characteristic colour, brio and aplomb." The New Hampshire Book Festival is an annual statewide book festival that brings authors together with readers to celebrate literacy, conversation, and community. This festival hosts 40+ nationally recognized authors for a free, all-day festival of panels, interviews, and book signings ...

(September 24, 2024) - Today, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) added Aer Lingus to its TSA PreCheck® program , allowing enabling low-risk travelers to enjoy a secure and efficient screening experience. Three other airlines were also invited to join, Air New Zealand, Ethiopian Airlines and Saudia, bringing to nearly 100 the number of airlines now participating in the program. TSA PreCheck passengers travel with ease and may keep on their shoes, belts and light jackets and are not required to remove laptops, 3-1-1 liquids and food items from their carry-on bags. About 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes in dedicated lanes at airport checkpoints nationwide. TSA PreCheck is available for eligible passengers when departing from a participating airport or when connecting on domestic flights after returning to the U.S. from a foreign airport. Travelers who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or U.S. lawful permanent residents may apply for TSA PreCheck and...

  The next time you’re exploring the Irish Heritage Trail or Boston's Freedom Trail , be sure to stop by the USS Constitution ship and the USS Constitution Museum in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The USS Constitution  is America's oldest commissioned ship,  first launched on October 21, 1797.  It is berthed in the Charlestown Navy Yard , and operated by the US Navy , in partnership with the National Historic Parks of Boston . Known as Old Ironsides for its durability during battle, the USS Constitution has some important Irish connections, with many of the sailors hailing from Ireland over its history. During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution was commanded by Commodore Charles Stewart, who was awarded a congressional gold medal for his leadership. Commodore Stewart was the grandfather of Ireland’s famous Home Rule leader, Charles Stewart Parnell and poet Fanny Parnell . Located just across from the USS Constitution ship, the museums offers a wonderful e...

The Glyde Inn on the Irish Flavour Trail Exploring Ireland rich food scene is a joyful experience any time of year.  This autumn, start your culinary trek around Dublin, where you can  visit a new urban dockside market, take a city-centre walking tour, escape to a country house estate or check out a sustainable farm, as you discover the authentic taste of contemporary Ireland.    Smallholding and Honey Farm tour Just a short drive from Dublin and close to  beautiful Bohernabreena Reservoir Park in the Dublin Mountains is Olly Nolan’s small farm, an inspiring testament to self-sufficiency. Renowned for the award-winning Olly’s Farm raw honey collected from his apiaries around Dublin and Wicklow, Nolan has recently opened his farm to visitors. At the monthly farm tour, walk the orchards, vegetable garden and livestock paddocks to see native Dexter cows, laying hens and pet goats, before enjoying a house tour and honey tasting.     Whitestown House W...

Blasket Islands Photo Credit: TripAdviser Ireland's Office of Public Works  and  The Blasket Centre  in Dunquin, County Kerry have partnered with the  Springfield Museums  in Springfield, MA on an exhibition titled, “Gone Now, To Springfield” Celebrating the Legacy of the Blasket Islands.   The exhibit opened this week and runs through September 29 at the  Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History , and coincides with the  Dingle Peninsula  delegation currently in town for  The Big E  agricultural fair. The museum is located at 21 Edwards Street, Springfield MA 01103. Photo Credit: 22WWLP News At a reception to open the exhibit on September, 17, Congressman Richard E. Neal, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, and city and state officials welcomed the County Kerry dignitaries. Among the guests were Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council Breandan Fitzgerald, Ireland Consul General Sighle Fitzgerald, Massachusetts State Representati...

The South Shore Irish Heritage Trail has announced a competition for photographs that capture the essence and beauty of Massachusetts and Ireland.   The competition is open to all photographers.  Submissions must be original photographs (in both digital and black and white formats) and should feature sites along the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail in Massachusetts or along the Wild Atlantic Way or the Causeway Coastal Route in Ireland.  See details of the contest here ,  Martin Nangle , award-winning photojournalist, is judging the entries.  Here is the  entry form . The winning entries will become part of a unique exhibit entitled Trasna, opening in March 2025  at the  South Shore Art Center  in Cohasset, MA.  Trasna is the Irish word for “across” and is often used in reference to the trans-Atlantic Ocean crossing between Ireland and the United States dating back to the 18th century and earlier. Organizers of the competition note...

Photo courtesy of The Big E Ireland’s famous, picturesque  Dingle Peninsula  in County Kerry is on full display at  The Big E  in West Springfield, MA, the largest agricultural fair on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The Dingle exhibit is located in the Young Building, and features Ireland's finest handcrafted products, cultural and educational offerings as well as tourism information.   Also known as The Eastern States Exposition, The Big E is a 17-Day annual fall celebration of the agricultural, small business, cultural, historical and culinary riches of the six New England states, which include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. The fair opened on September 13 and runs through September 29, 2024. Siamsa Tíre, The National Folk Theatre of Ireland, Photo courtesy of The Big E The Irish portion of The Big E, sponsored by Aer Lingus, kicked off last weekend at the fair with a Halfway to St. Patrick’s D...

  Make your plans for this year's annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival , taking place at various venues from September 19-22, 2024 in Newport, Rhode Island.  The 2024 Festival  features  a series of tasty seminars, a well-stocked Tasting Tent each day, Connoisseur's Dinner, Vintner Dinner, Sunday Jazz Buffet Brunch and a special guest appearance by celebrated Chef Jacques Pépin and his daughter and co-star, Claudine Pépin! Here is this year's festival program . In addition to the festival events at Rosecliff Manson, a number of local restaurants are also participating with special dinners and activities.  See restaurants here . September is a perfect month to be in Newport, one of the most gorgeous seaside cities in America.  Go to Discover Newport for complete details on planning your visit. 

  Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums (Photo courtesy of Massachusetts 9/11 Fund) The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund is organizing the 23rd Anniversary Commemoration of 9/11 on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 in Boston. See today's  full schedule . Events takng place at the Massachusetts State House this morning include a moment of silence, a reading of the names of the 9/11 victims, and music by Josh Groban. The ‘Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key is being performed by Boston Fire Department Acapella Group.  State Representative and Speaker Pro Tempore  Kate Hogan of the 3rd Middlesex District gives welcoming and closing remarks in the State House Chamber of the House of Representatives. In the afternoon, there is a wreath laying ceremony in Boston's Public Garden at the Garden of Remembrance  at 1:30 p.m. The Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums plays in the Public Garden, followed by Boston Police Officer Steve McNulty sing...

Kathleen O'Toole Kathleen O’Toole, the first female commissioner of the Boston Police Department and an internationally recognized leader in law enforcement, is being honored by  The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston  (ICC) with the 2nd Annual Brian J. Donnelly Award for Leadership in Public Service.   The award ceremony takes place September 19 at the Omni Parker House in Boston. Purchase tickets here .  Born in Pittsfield, MA, O'Toole has had an illustrious career working in law enforcement. In addition to her ground-breaking role in 2004 as the first female Commissioner of the Boston Police Department, O'Toole also served as Lieutenant Colonel of Massachusetts State Police and as the Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety. In addition, O’Toole was a member of the Independent Commission on Policing during the Peace Process in Northern Ireland.   From 2006-12, she served as Chief Inspector of An Garda Síochána Inspectorate, an oversight body a...

  The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke has announced James M. Lavelle as its 72nd Grand Marshal for the 2025 Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 23, 2025.   Lavelle will be honored at the Grand Marshal's Reception on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.  The Grand Marshal is the highest local honor given to a person who has distinguished themselves as a loyal person to their career, their family, and to their Irish ancestry, according to parade officials. “I am excited that we are honoring Holyoke native, James Lavelle, as Grand Marshal,” said Parade President John Beaulieu. “His dedication to his family, his career and his community are well known and I’m grateful to the Grand Marshal’s Selection Committee for choosing him with this most esteemed honor. I look forward to having James Lavelle and his family lead the 72nd Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on March 23, 2025.” Lavelle's family has deep and abiding connections to the parade. His father,...

  Blackstone River Theatre , considered one of the finest acoustic music halls in New England, has announced its 24th Fall Season of concerts with artists from around the world, plus its schedule of music and dance instruction classes.  The theatre is located in Cumberland, RI.  Russell Gusetti, executive director of Blackstone River Theatre says,” We are really looking forward to our fall season which is an especially strong one. Following our most successful Winter/Spring season we have continued with 4 summer concerts and lots of interior renovations and improvements to make the experience better for everyone.” He adds, “ I am already mostly booked through next May and will be greatly looking forward to our 25th anniversary season which starts September 2025 … what a long, strange trip it has been!"   The 2024 season kicks off this Saturday, September 7, with the Gothard Sisters performing live at 8 p.m. Specializing in Celtic, Folk, World, Classical and New Age m...

  The Aer Lingus European Sale is now on through September 17, 2024, for travel from Boston and other American cities to Ireland and Europe between October 7, 2024 and March 31, 2025.   Click here for sale details .  From epic adventures on the Wild Atlantic Way to exciting city breaks brimming with culture, cuisine and nightlife, feel the joy of a European escape with amazing flight deals.  As Ireland’s national airline, Aer Lingus knows how to get you there offering comfort and world class service – all with an Irish welcome onboard.  

Photo courtesy of Choctaw Nation ' A new sculpture memorializing the historic connections between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland was unveiled on August 30, 2024 at Choctaw Capitol Grounds in Tvshka Homma, Oklahoma. Entitled Eternal Heart, the eight foot high sculpture created by artist Samuel Still of Choctow Nation combines a symbol of Irish trinity with a heart, facing toward Ireland.  It was a joint commission funded by the Government of Ireland and the Chahta Foundation . The sculpture honors an extraordinary act of kindness that happened in 1847, when the Choctaw people raised more than $170 ($5000 today) to send to the people of Midleton, County Cork, during the height of the Irish Famine, a five-year potato crop failure that devastated the island. The Choctaws themselves had just endured the arduous journey known as the “Trail of Tears," where they were forcibly relocated from their homes in the eastern part of the continent to what was called Indian Territory west o...