A New Exhibition on Immigration from the Blasket Islands to Western Massachusetts Opens at Springfield Museums

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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 Representatives Jake Oliveira and Brian Ashe, Irish Cultural Center Board President Sean Cahillane, Springfield Museums President Kay Simpson, Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau President Mary Kay Wydra, Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance representative Caroline Boland, and members of the Springfield Museums Board of Trustees.

“This exhibit is a reminder of the idea of unity without uniformity and the incredible diaspora that makes our country unique,” said U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who spoke at the announcement of the partnership.

“Families from that area made their homes here and became an important part of the fabric of the city. They are a significant part of our history and their presence is profound in so many ways. They became firefighters, joined the police force and became prevalent in local government,” Springfield Museums President Kay Simpson said.

Photo Credit: Office of Mayor Sarno

Mayor Sarno presented a city proclamation to 102-year-old Mairead Kearney Shea, the last living woman from the Blasket Islands, who immigrated to Western Mass in the 1940’s.

The partnership between Ireland and Massachusetts calls for the Springfield Museums and Blasket Centre to exchange historic items, and to collaborate on programming, exhibits and events that will appear in both venues for the indefinite future.


Photo Credit: The Blasket Centre, County Kerry

The Blasket Centre is one of the heritage sites under the management of the Irish Office of Public Works.


Read more about Ireland's first Marine National Park, located in County Kerry.

For information about visiting Springfield, go to explorewesternmass.com

For information on visiting Ireland, go to Ireland.com.

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