Celebrate Irish Culture in Essex County, North of Boston, this St. Patrick's Season

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Mairead Nesbitt at Firehouse Arts Center in Newburyport, March 17

In March, visitors get an emerald welcome in Essex County just North of Boston as St. Patrick’s Day festivities get underway, featuring Irish music, culture and heritage across Essex County.   These annual Irish celebrations are the perfect way to escape the winter doldrums and welcome in spring!

In addition to the festivities,  North of Boston, is a magical destination with miles of pristine beaches and fishing villages, two national parks and a national wildlife refuge, plus a stunning New England landscape stretching across 34 distinctive cities and towns.  It’s a place of cultural richness, storied history, warm hospitality and some of the best seafood on the planet!


This month, let’s start with Irish music, a centerpiece of Ireland’s culture.  The Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport presents three acclaimed bands from Ireland:  the Irish Tenors on March 4, Danu on March 8 and Dervish on March 15.  

The Cabot in Beverly welcomes Cape Breton stars Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy with their two talented children on March 16.  

The Firehouse Arts Center in Newburyport hosts a traditional Irish music session on March 14, Celtic band Bailey’s Mistake on March 16, and then fiddle master Mairead Nesbitt, formerly of Celtic Woman, on March 17. 

The City of Lawrence has a longstanding Irish Heritage Month each March that includes an Irish exhibit, author lectures, live music and an Irish Film Festival. The events take place at Lawrence Heritage State Park, St. Patrick’s Church and Lawrence Public Library.   

On March 15, Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester has a four leaf clover watercolor class and scavenger hunt. Also on March 15, the St. Patrick’s Day Trolley Tour  takes place in Salem.

On the literary front, notable local author Aine Greaney, originally from County Mayo, reads from her new book, Trespassers and Other Stories at Jabberwocky Books in Newburyport on March 8, and at the Salisbury Public Library on March 18.   

Maine author Michael Connolly reads from his novel, Ever the Twain Shall Meet, at Lawrence Heritage State Park on March 16. 

And noted author Eric Dolan discusses his book, Rebels At Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution, at Andover Center for History and Culture on March 27.

In addition to these cultural events,  many local restaurants, pubs and breweries are creating Irish menus, meals and specialty drinks to celebrate one of the most enjoyable holidays of the year.


You can get more details on springtime and year round visitor amenities by visiting northofboston.org.

 


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