10 Ways to Enjoy Irish-American Heritage Month in Massachusetts

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Dervish 

This article appeared in the Irish Echo Newspaper, March 5, 2025


(Boston Irish Tourism Association) 

 

Massachusetts is rolling out the emerald carpet for St. Patrick’s Day this March, as one of America’s most Irish-American states celebrates its distinct culture and ethnic heritage.

The Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA) has issued its annual recommendations for enjoying the region’s St. Patrick’s Day season in a fun and meaningful way.  

 

1. ATTEND A LIVE IRISH CONCERT

March is an Irish music bonanza in Massachusetts, with dozens of touring bands from Ireland, Canada and across the United States coming through town.  Performers direct from Ireland this month include Danú, Dervish, The High Kings & Mary Black, Derek Warfield & the Young Wolftones and Odyssey, plus singers Paul Byrom and Seán Keane.  Cape Breton stars include Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy and Four on the Floor, while top American groups include Gaelic Storm, Cherish the Ladies, Reverie Road, Máiréad Nesbitt, Runa and the Irish Tenors. Local Boston bands include the Dropkick Murphys, Connacht, Devri and Silver Spears.

 

2. PARTY AT PATRIOT PLACE IRISH FESTIVAL

This year’s 14th annual Patriot Place Irish Festival, March 15-17, has expanded to three days to include even more live Irish music, featuring local favorites Black Velvet Band, Devri and Fenian Sons, plus bagpipers and more.  Local Irish dance troupes display their skills, and there are plenty of children’s activities, Irish vendors, and delicious food and drink.  Local hotels at Patriot Place, are offering special weekend rates for families who want to stay the entire weekend. Patriot Place is adjacent to Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots football team.

 

3. ENJOY FAMILY FUN AT IRISH CULTURAL CENTRE

The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston in Canton is a year round headquarters for Irish culture, classes, concerts, sports and social gatherings.  Music this month includes Cherish the Ladies on March 4, Donegal-based Onóir on March 9,   Sina Theil on March 13 and Seán Keane on March 28.  The St. Patrick’s Day Family Weekend Celebrations on March 14-17 features live music, step dancing and social dancing, children’s activities such as Celtic crafts and face painting, vendors and authentic Irish food and drinks. 

 

4. SHOP FOR IRISH GIFTS

You can get authentic Irish clothing and jewelry, imported directly from Ireland, at Bridget’s- an Irish Tradition gift shop in Norton.  Aisling Gallery in Hingham has  beautiful paintings and crafts from Irish and local artists, while The Lucky Shamrock in Quincy carries a full inventory of Irish sweets, beans, sausages, chips and other treats.  For local gift ideas, visit the gift shops at the JFK Library in Dorchester, the JFK Museum in Hyannis, and Discover Quincy Welcome Center in Quincy.

 

5. CHEER ON A PARADE

More than a dozen St. Patrick’s Day parades take place outdoors throughout New England this month, featuring a melodious mixture of  marching bands, bagpipers, antique cars, local officials and grand marshals promenading down the main streets of cities and small towns.  Boston boasts the largest parade, but the  favorite family-friendly parades include Holyoke, Worcester, Abington, Scituate, Cape Cod and Newport, RI. This year’s John F. Kennedy Award recipient at the Holyoke Parade is Blue Bloods actress and Massachusetts native Bridget Moynahan.

 

6. EXPLORE JFK’S IRISH ROOTS

President John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States, was a proud Boston Irish native with a special affection for Ireland and its people.  Pay a visit to the Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston to learn about Kennedy’s time in office and about his family, and on March 8 enjoy Celtic Bells, telling the story of The Irish in Boston.  The Kennedy Museum in Hyannis pays tribute to President Kennedy’s great affection for Cape Cod, where he spent summers enjoying the beauty and serenity from the family summer home in Hyannisport. 

 

7. EAT AN AUTHENTIC IRISH MEAL

There are dozens of tasteful Irish pubs and restaurants in greater Boston, too many to list!  Popular haunts include the Black Rose, Dubliner, Harp and Mr. Dooley’s in downtown Boston, Burren Pub in Somerville and the Plough & Stars and McCarthy’s in Cambridge.  Scobie’s Irish Pub in Dorchester serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The Red Rooster in Wrentham has classic pub food, while Tokenfire in Quincy offers a global take on modern Irish cuisine.  The Last Hurrah at Omni Parker House in Boston offers tasty fare prepared by seasoned Executive Chef Gerry Tice.

 

8. HEAR AN IRISH MUSIC SESSION

Irish traditional sessions are popular in Greater Boston, with musicians gathering casually to play tunes and share songs.  The Irish Cultural Centre hosts a trad session every Friday night in Canton.  Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s session is the first Sunday afternoon of the month at the Canadian American Club in Watertown, while Irish Pastoral Centre in Dorchester hosts on the third Sunday.  Some of the best pub sessions include Red Nun Bar & Grill in Dennis Port, Cape Cod,  The Red Rose in Weymouth, The Snug in Hingham, Bebop in Back Bay, Druid in Cambridge and Scobie’s in Dorchester.

 

9. MEET AN IRISH STORYTELLER

Fiction writer Áine Greaney reads from her new book, Trespassers and Other Stories at Jabberwocky Bookshop in Newburyport on March 8, and at Salisbury Public Library on March 18.  Local author Vincent J. Quealy discusses his book, Reflections of an Irish Grandson, at Boston College on March 12, along with Cormac O’Malley and Patrick Mahoney, editors of The Enchanted Bay.  And best-selling Irish novelist and Co. Clare resident Niall Williams reads from his new book, Time of the Child, at Porter Square Book Store in Cambridge on March 25.

 

10. WALK THE IRISH HERITAGE TRAIL

You can explore more than 300 years of illustrious Boston history by walking the 3-mile Irish Heritage Trail, which starts at Rose Kennedy’s Rose Garden on the waterfront, travels through Downtown and Back Bay, and ends at Fenway Park, built by Irish immigrants in 1912.  Poets, politicians and patriots are included on the trail, along with artists, sculptors and women leaders.  Pick up a free self-guided map at the Visitor Center on Boston Common or download a map at irishheritagetrail.com.

 

For details on year-round cultural activities in Massachusetts and New England and tips on traveling to Ireland in 2025, visit IrishBoston.org.

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