tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3415453545999901492024-03-14T18:35:32.509-04:00Irish MassachusettsUpdates on the cultural activities of the Irish American community in New England, and travel tips for visiting the island of Ireland.irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.comBlogger1659125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-64381419687919100892024-03-11T18:14:00.003-04:002024-03-11T18:18:48.541-04:00Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Travels to the United States for St. Patrick’s Day Visit<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vQcbchk4FZW02_qeFc6K831QB1yBkGyTu2g9hzCUjw37BEJYZyfETfvKlioDPbgdBODw6n4T3ggZNVv6IJ47EZqIkAf2fCGiqAu0eZrfXWQQ-90Wp0RTM88E6uPiUq4vI7jeCWfQX86AAP4RTPpyUo1eihVauKv6jhGEIWJM-8EtVA0CDqGIcrV0GkX-/s920/Leo%20Varadkar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="920" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vQcbchk4FZW02_qeFc6K831QB1yBkGyTu2g9hzCUjw37BEJYZyfETfvKlioDPbgdBODw6n4T3ggZNVv6IJ47EZqIkAf2fCGiqAu0eZrfXWQQ-90Wp0RTM88E6uPiUq4vI7jeCWfQX86AAP4RTPpyUo1eihVauKv6jhGEIWJM-8EtVA0CDqGIcrV0GkX-/w640-h494/Leo%20Varadkar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is making an official visit to the United States from March 11 to 17 to participate in St.Patrick's Day celebrations. <br /><br />The Irish prime minister's first stop is Boston, where he has scheduled a series of political, economic and Irish community engagements, including a keynote address at the <a href="https://www.jfklibrary.org/" target="_blank">John F. Kennedy Presidential Library</a>, where he will reflect on the life and legacy of President Kennedy and how his legacy continues to have lessons for the global challenges of today.<br /><br />“The Government’s theme for St. Patrick’s Day 2024 is ‘Ireland’s future in the world’ so this year I wish to celebrate the achievements of our young Diaspora leaders in the US across the fields of innovation, creativity, community development, business, and academia," said the Taoiseach. "Many of the events in Boston and Washington DC will enable me to recognize their invaluable contribution to sustaining and deepening the close bonds between Ireland and the US, now and into the future."<br /><br />On Wednesday, March13, the Taoiseach attends the <a href="https://www.irishap.org/events/stpatricksday-boston-2024" target="_blank">Irish American Partnership</a>'s annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast at the Intercontinental Hotel, where he will pay tribute to the partnership for its tireless work to advance peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.<br /><div><br />In Washington DC, the Taoiseach will have a series of high-level political engagements in Washington D.C. He will meet bilaterally with <a href="https://irishamericansforobamabiden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">President Joe Biden</a>, Vice-President Kamala Harris and the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, which The meeting will also be an opportunity for the Taoiseach to thank President Biden for the US’s ongoing commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and to welcome the restoration of the Northern Ireland institutions.<br /><br />The White House St. Patrick’s Day reception on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17 includes the traditional shamrock ceremony, where the Taoiseach presents President Biden with the traditional shamrock bowl, extending St. Patrick’s Day greetings from the people of Ireland to the people of the United States. </div><div><br />“I look forward to meeting President Biden again and to reflect on his very successful visit to Ireland last year which highlighted his special connection with our country," said the Taoiseach. "I will thank him for his strong and ongoing support for Ireland and in particular for the long-standing role played by the US in the Irish peace process, reflecting on the recent positive developments in Northern Ireland."</div><div><br /></div><div>Read the entire<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e0f4b-taoiseach-leo-varadkars-st-patricks-day-visit-to-the-united-states-of-america/" target="_blank"> press release here</a>.<br /><br /><br /></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-88118064222772985602024-03-11T16:28:00.002-04:002024-03-11T16:49:22.944-04:00South Boston's Annual Evacuation Day Ceremony on Friday, March 15, Celebrates the 1776 Revolutionary War Victory at Dorchester Heights <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ao5Upr2n84XUkhT5t8_-GoFZT1t-nZotVqPiMk_QG66t03hJsf3Hm7J9AJ1-9Kx6cBy1G-52Zr5Yw7iS-DDGJqZgIv8MLc9WUyEB8x3otfpUkrhpdDxC9Wq8gzRCZ2RQeoak3SEKoMvCoDzh4vCFbJRsO4Zo-1I_TrjRge-exbx8fNbOMpj1hHqPtFiX/s3120/Dorchester%20Heights%20Renovation.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="3120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ao5Upr2n84XUkhT5t8_-GoFZT1t-nZotVqPiMk_QG66t03hJsf3Hm7J9AJ1-9Kx6cBy1G-52Zr5Yw7iS-DDGJqZgIv8MLc9WUyEB8x3otfpUkrhpdDxC9Wq8gzRCZ2RQeoak3SEKoMvCoDzh4vCFbJRsO4Zo-1I_TrjRge-exbx8fNbOMpj1hHqPtFiX/w640-h360/Dorchester%20Heights%20Renovation.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/national-parks-of-boston.htm" target="_blank">National Parks of Boston</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/South-Boston-Citizens-Association-100081869100368/" target="_blank">South Boston Citizens' Association</a> are hosting the 248th annual Evacuation Day Commemoration on Friday, March 15 at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.<br /><br />Due to current restoration work on the Dorchester Heights Monument, this year's ceremony will take place not at the monument, but at the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club at 230 West Sixth Street in South Boston. <br /><br />Confirmed speakers include Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael Creasey, and state and city elected officials, including State Senator Nick Collins, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />Superintendent Creasey will share a brief overview of the current restoration project. The National Parks of Boston began the more than $30 million restoration of Dorchester Heights Monument on September 15. Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), rehabilitation work will be complete by March 17, 2026, Evacuation Day, during the nation's 250th birthday year. The Monument and its surrounding area remain closed to the public during the restoration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />The Excel High School JROTC Color Guard will lead a procession to the western edge of Thomas Park for a wreath laying following the speaking program. The commemoration will feature a ceremonial presentation of arms by the Lexington Minutemen and Henry Knox Color Guard. The Boston University Band will provide music.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MuW8LBZj0Mxjm_93hOPR0HCEDB4Yziz-9xkgLvzsfxek7lxiY9RfMXz0bZUi1jzr5-V8LQFo9xwRdywaLknBivMfwurm37wBuzZZ1htiM1IKhD5eOfkPzgIpYEW5a9UYDOUMN1G9yv9N0vokrlB8TsOeFT7l-EApaMmkqH8JnbinN5HpgTeA86ZfKyHq/s640/Dorchester%20Heights%20painting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MuW8LBZj0Mxjm_93hOPR0HCEDB4Yziz-9xkgLvzsfxek7lxiY9RfMXz0bZUi1jzr5-V8LQFo9xwRdywaLknBivMfwurm37wBuzZZ1htiM1IKhD5eOfkPzgIpYEW5a9UYDOUMN1G9yv9N0vokrlB8TsOeFT7l-EApaMmkqH8JnbinN5HpgTeA86ZfKyHq/w640-h360/Dorchester%20Heights%20painting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In early March 1776, General George Washington ordered the construction of fortifications at Dorchester Heights. Two weeks later, these actions led to the evacuation of British forces from Boston, effectively ending the Siege of Boston.<div><br /></div><div>Since 1901, the South Boston community has commemorated March 17 as "Evacuation Day" at Dorchester Heights, which also happens to fall on the Feast of St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. Learn more about the connections between <a href="https://irishboston.blogspot.com/2023/03/what-boston-celebrates-evacuation-and.html">Evacuation Day and St. Patrick's Day</a> in South Boston. <br /><br />See more information on the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/gaoa-dorchester-heights-monument.htm">Dorchester Heights Monument restoration</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?pg=7177459&id=90BE4580-63A3-48BD-83AD-2EE2F993A21D">photos</a> online. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"></p></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-22656003617743666232024-03-04T05:20:00.003-05:002024-03-04T05:59:07.394-05:00Better Late than Never: Irish and Traditional Songs by Maine Singer and Fiddler Kevin McElroy<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj3XQfSFRdWclWiyh63UCgArFeTY6xb_y82m-n34WMPiYLgEVL9txQXW8oVmQ3oTmM2C4-Yc3ekeBBlpfCfJnBUhZKBwj0nL3nlCXLXNQGA3j-ofS1OarwSlXWutiNSCEX3MKVsEU821XwE01idHmScdS7Ei9flQhlcqUIuhibPqtFlkjwNagCL1aQuRq/s1659/BLTN-cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1481" data-original-width="1659" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj3XQfSFRdWclWiyh63UCgArFeTY6xb_y82m-n34WMPiYLgEVL9txQXW8oVmQ3oTmM2C4-Yc3ekeBBlpfCfJnBUhZKBwj0nL3nlCXLXNQGA3j-ofS1OarwSlXWutiNSCEX3MKVsEU821XwE01idHmScdS7Ei9flQhlcqUIuhibPqtFlkjwNagCL1aQuRq/w640-h572/BLTN-cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>
Musician and singer Kevin McElroy of Maine is well regarded around New England for his skill as an instrumentalist and singer, his knowledge of Irish traditional music, and his work as a restorer of antique instruments, particularly the violin. <div><br /></div><div> His latest CD, <b>Better Late than Never: Irish + Traditional Songs</b>, will further cement his reputation and popularity in the Irish traditional music community.
The CD includes 10 tracks with some gorgeous songs and tunes, a few of them rare, and others well-known. We asked Kevin about the song selections. </div><div><br /></div><div> “The ages of the songs vary greatly, from "Polly Vaughan" which comes from an old 17th century ballad, to "The Moving on Song" which is a composition of the famous Ewan McColl.
"Paddy, the Cockney and the Ass” I learned from the late, great Tom Lenihan from West Clare when I was in my late teens and on my first visit to Ireland. It was the song that Irish fiddler Larry Reynolds regularly requested of me,” McElroy says.
“Some songs move me with their history, some with a tender story. Other songs I simply like the melody. However, they are all songs I’ve heard sung in the Irish tradition. Having grown up in Massachusetts, I heard very little Irish, so I lean toward songs in English.” </div><div><br /></div><div>The CD cover itself is remarkable, and includes a photo of Kevin’s great grandfather, who was born in Fermanagh and emigrated as an infant with his family to Charlestown. He was 19 when he enlisted during the Civil War.
“He was a Captain in the Jackson Guard in Charlestown, and the photo is his company at the centennial celebration of the battle of Bunker Hill in 1775,” McElroy says. The Jackson Guard was an Irish militia company attached to the 9th Irish Regiment, comprised of mostly Irish immigrants and Irish-Americans who fought in the American Civil War. </div><div><br /></div><div>A long-time staple of Irish traditional music sessions around Boston and in Portland, McElroy plays multiple plectrum instruments and is accomplished as a singer too. He credits his singing teachers Frank Harte, Mick Moloney, Sean Corcoran on the liner notes, and his Great-Aunt Ella McElroy, “whose stories and songs initially piqued my interest in Irish music.” </div><div><br /></div><div>He is joined on the CD by two outstanding musicians, Kieran O’Hare on uilleann pipes and whistle, and Gerry O’Connor of Dundalk on fiddle, with whom he tours with up and down the Eastern Seaboard. </div><div><br /></div><div>McElroy's lifelong commitment to music extends to his profession as an instrument restorer.
“I studied violin making, with a concentration on restoration of antique violins and it is fair to say I have worked in the trade for 30 years. I sold my company, Frost Gully Violins, to one of my employees 9 years ago and now work independently as a restorer of antique instruments in Portland." </div><div><br /></div><div>For more details, visit <a href="http://www.mcelroyviolins.com">mcelroyviolins.com </a></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-26657450113031966272024-03-02T11:44:00.006-05:002024-03-02T11:56:01.511-05:00Cape Cod Chamber Rolls out a New Tourism Brand and Campaign - Cape Cod Truly Yours<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrQnorx92uc44g0Awy9HMnAdVCCy1alJgLld0kMrmCN8_FGRndDTY2RjUESijjVCCoMhQTmxIibzdTJNslw-ri8fRj5x7hz-ISFnYV-nbuXnadm4D4kOxRPFvRmUcOQZkMKTHfDeWmhM8qc3yTWhxvpuEaI7tVa2tYb-M96fEiz8MC-Ocr2IGtyv7I2wG/s3218/Cape%20Cod%20Truly%20yours%20logo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="3218" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrQnorx92uc44g0Awy9HMnAdVCCy1alJgLld0kMrmCN8_FGRndDTY2RjUESijjVCCoMhQTmxIibzdTJNslw-ri8fRj5x7hz-ISFnYV-nbuXnadm4D4kOxRPFvRmUcOQZkMKTHfDeWmhM8qc3yTWhxvpuEaI7tVa2tYb-M96fEiz8MC-Ocr2IGtyv7I2wG/w640-h252/Cape%20Cod%20Truly%20yours%20logo.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce unveiled its new tourism brand to local and regional hospitality leaders and partners on February 28, 2024 at the Pelham House Resort in Dennis Port. The Chamber is the official destination marketing organization for Cape Cod.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">Chamber CEO Paul Niedzwiecki said the new initiative marks the first substantial branding update in more than two decades. With the post-pandemic resurgence in travel and tourism, officials say this is an ideal time for the Cape Cod brand to undergo a destination makeover. The branding update was made possible through federal ARPA funds that were awarded to the Cape Cod Chamber for COVID-19 recovery of the Commonwealth’s tourism industry.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">“People from all over the world are drawn to Cape Cod,” said Niedzwiecki. “There are the obvious reasons for that – our iconic natural environment, our rich culture. But the magic of Cape Cod lies in something even deeper: It’s personal. We wanted to update our destination marketing to capture that deeply personal nature of a Cape Cod visit – how everyone’s unique experience here, and the warmth of those memories, is what keeps them coming back.”</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">View the Cape Cod Brand Anthem video here: <a href="https://youtu.be/ujfDnkGsICo" rel="noopener" style="background: none; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: background, box-shadow, border, color, opacity, transform;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/ujfDnkGsICo</a></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ujfDnkGsICo?si=ESxPpd6t5hRUoHaD" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">The Chamber engaged Boston-based marketing agency Fuseideas to oversee the rebranding exercise, a nine-month endeavor that combined traveler sentiment research and stakeholder and visitor interviews, along with insight and feedback from the Chamber’s staff, board members and tourism marketing committee.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">The new brand identity is named, “Cape Cod: Truly Yours,” and centers on honoring old traditions, and discovering new ones. The logo comprises 15 organic lines, representing each town on the Cape, encircled to form a thumbprint-like image.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">Chamber VP of Tourism Marketing Kristen Mitchell Hughes, says, “The mission of the new brand is to ensure that the Cape Cod experience is evolving to meet the needs of our various modern audiences, while maintaining the charm and nostalgia that makes the Cape so distinctive and special."</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">“A visit to the Cape is as unique as an individual thumbprint,” said Niedzwiecki. “Whether it’s your first time here, or your visits to Cape Cod are a time-honored tradition, you’ll find something here for you. It might be something old, or something new – either way, it will be an experience you can make all your own, and one that will leave an indelible mark that feels truly personal, truly remarkable, and truly yours.”</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">The new brand is guiding the extensive re-design of the Chamber’s travel website, which is scheduled to go live in July 2024. It will also be reflected in the Chamber’s award-winning Cape Cod Travel Guide magazine and its spring marketing campaign, which includes a mix of digital, print, TV and outdoor advertising in target markets.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">In calendar year 2022, direct domestic tourism spending in Barnstable County was $1.4 billion, an increase of 2.9% over 2021. These tourism expenditures supported 10,100 travel-related jobs (+4.8% vs. 2021) and $378 million in wages (+8% vs. 2021), while generating $181.1 million in state and local taxes (exceeding 2021 levels by 13%). On average, day trip guests to Cape Cod spend $200 per travel party per day, and overnight guests spend about $800 per travel party per trip.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;">For information about visiting Cape Cod any time of year, go <a href="http://capecodchamber.org/">capecodchamber.org/</a> </p></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-69065128216308255912024-02-29T16:50:00.001-05:002024-02-29T16:50:25.130-05:00White House Proclamation on Irish-American Heritage Month, March, 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMDXF8S_Yb8YQK994tMr1X1gpzWzfS0YAPu6X_1AzPbUAVejStDkBvTDY8mJVMjqE7pY8Ty0c6uXnjWfntFV5HsUZunAV2FZb0Iq2hhqKmBd8huDvTntST04UJ09HrZYW-AqH_IQsR8aML4dR6h1gekk5mEfyPflScAJ3JTY6I6Yu-1RPmswJpb3kPxRO/s720/US-WhiteHouse-Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="720" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMDXF8S_Yb8YQK994tMr1X1gpzWzfS0YAPu6X_1AzPbUAVejStDkBvTDY8mJVMjqE7pY8Ty0c6uXnjWfntFV5HsUZunAV2FZb0Iq2hhqKmBd8huDvTntST04UJ09HrZYW-AqH_IQsR8aML4dR6h1gekk5mEfyPflScAJ3JTY6I6Yu-1RPmswJpb3kPxRO/w640-h436/US-WhiteHouse-Logo.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">
During <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/02/29/proclamation-on-irish-american-heritage-month-2024/" target="_blank">Irish-American Heritage Month</a>, we honor our Irish ancestors, all those who carry on their legacies, and the values that have always bound Ireland and the United States together. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> These values — including determination, decency, and dignity — have been passed down from generation to generation in families like my own and have been grafted into the American character. Last year, I had the honor of visiting the home of some of my Irish ancestors, including the Blewitts of County Mayo and the Finnegans of County Louth. As I traveled across Ireland, I learned the true meaning of the Gaelic expression, “a hundred thousand welcomes.” I was reminded that everything between Ireland and America runs deep — from our history and sorrow to our future and joy. But more than anything, hope is what beats in the hearts of all of our people. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For centuries — even during times of darkness and despair — hope has kept us marching forward toward a better future. It is what led so many of our Irish ancestors to leave the only place they had ever called home and seek a new beginning in the United States. It is what drove generations of Irish immigrants to help build the foundations of America with grit and persistence, even as they endured discrimination and were denied opportunity. It is what continues to drive tens of millions of Irish Americans across our country to stand up for greater dignity, liberty, and possibilities for all. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of United States-Irish diplomatic relations this year, hope remains the bedrock of our partnership, as evidenced by our work together to stand with the brave people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, combat the climate crisis, and advance workers’ rights across both of our nations. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the years ahead, I look forward to strengthening the partnership and friendship between the people of Ireland and America even further. United by history, heritage, and hope, nothing is beyond our reach. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2024 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Irish Americans to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.</span></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-81790615992316933062024-02-29T11:54:00.002-05:002024-02-29T11:56:24.652-05:00Trinity College Dublin Unveils The Book of Kells Immersive Experience<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49CruEDkoTIVvUOK6_yXxxIyi3fV7sXYP0tQAuORNYjV5CX6VCJFqLLf_aj1OgWv1QFZl0gHTWIq9ieD5LtsT4kwUbhJWhByt_863Ij5ANWKfdor-SRHxgyZl9OHbKyWClkEqUf3ZW6zFJE6UaresqgHvrZPgleIxHQnP6qiWEzIwUkuLwew8XEBv5Pb8/s3000/Book%20of%20Kells%20Experience%20lead.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2052" data-original-width="3000" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49CruEDkoTIVvUOK6_yXxxIyi3fV7sXYP0tQAuORNYjV5CX6VCJFqLLf_aj1OgWv1QFZl0gHTWIq9ieD5LtsT4kwUbhJWhByt_863Ij5ANWKfdor-SRHxgyZl9OHbKyWClkEqUf3ZW6zFJE6UaresqgHvrZPgleIxHQnP6qiWEzIwUkuLwew8XEBv5Pb8/w640-h438/Book%20of%20Kells%20Experience%20lead.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">Trinity College Dublin has created a wonderful new immersive experience on The Book of Kells, one of the most famous printed documents in the world and one of Ireland's most important cultural treasures. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Set within a specially constructed pavilion in the historic grounds of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s oldest university, t</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">he <a href="https://www.visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells-experience/" target="_blank">Book of Kells Experience</a> </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">takes v</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">isitors from a view the Book of Kells in the Old Library, before moving to the Long Room, considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. </span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituOT0ty2ynjC4eH1Wnj2zQd4nCztuo5UVRZAJ4kOnkpJfwAx_18BmBQKWJY8m4M15f9lpcdO9kaXLEim6kSrFdhhgLEHc2UBfUy_vKoIHzBpZsr7ETJbXN9RYhsDub5dZFy6xBwBlKMHM_CkiKO8jQJrSE34o5zvV9HqOuKawFPT0xcGX72_1TUDZomYt/s2954/Book%20of%20Kells%20experience%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="2954" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituOT0ty2ynjC4eH1Wnj2zQd4nCztuo5UVRZAJ4kOnkpJfwAx_18BmBQKWJY8m4M15f9lpcdO9kaXLEim6kSrFdhhgLEHc2UBfUy_vKoIHzBpZsr7ETJbXN9RYhsDub5dZFy6xBwBlKMHM_CkiKO8jQJrSE34o5zvV9HqOuKawFPT0xcGX72_1TUDZomYt/w640-h316/Book%20of%20Kells%20experience%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">There, visitors embark on a 360° immersive journey in the pavilion filled with stories, sights and sounds inspired by the ancient manuscript and the Old Library’s precious collections. This includes a spectacularly innovative digital reconstruction of the Long Room. The immersive experiences takes visitors on a </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">journey from Iona in Scotland over the Irish Sea to Kells, and onwards to Dublin in the present day, as 1,200 years of history and stories unfold before their eyes.</span></p></span></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaR0T14YwZJezoK2t8tERM45sy_UYpa-F41RQ06wSKJjEL_jkafzplqEZcRGDUJVTHVuvOOmZu5m5wn6nBoW6fpWHecJspMZXkJVk2m-meZTJ-5ANeJJ3dOW4dWjWBz5QLWhC9qMdylPYtE7GRrG4BuRkNop9mR2fyM5CUgCYpUZJzMYWM4uQpPUsZStk/s3641/Book%20of%20Kells%20artistry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2428" data-original-width="3641" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaR0T14YwZJezoK2t8tERM45sy_UYpa-F41RQ06wSKJjEL_jkafzplqEZcRGDUJVTHVuvOOmZu5m5wn6nBoW6fpWHecJspMZXkJVk2m-meZTJ-5ANeJJ3dOW4dWjWBz5QLWhC9qMdylPYtE7GRrG4BuRkNop9mR2fyM5CUgCYpUZJzMYWM4uQpPUsZStk/w640-h426/Book%20of%20Kells%20artistry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The show also explores and showcases several of the books and manuscripts from the Old Library’s historically significant collections. Visitors travel to 1916 to hear the Proclamation of the Irish Republic; interact with spirited sculptures including Ada Lovelace, Jonathan Swift, Rosalind Franklin and William Shakespeare; and witness the architectural evolution of the Long Room reimagined from 1732 to modern day.</span></p></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d8QpueFj_F8q5S9cjxDDoCOVcMW7JVAp8x3RDvnVorL4hwqbpZ-qamvrkIDnhuCW8rMLAEYqE9g_3CFw91rIghXC46hAGce-gH1OloIC_0J3nXirb1IjcN9HL84COdaFPg_UdczRlXDLhLOLR6qj3iPLgzPg28zPcAPv6lZ08IPq78LOD-DS_zsR7zEW/s3000/Book%20of%20Kells.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2065" data-original-width="3000" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d8QpueFj_F8q5S9cjxDDoCOVcMW7JVAp8x3RDvnVorL4hwqbpZ-qamvrkIDnhuCW8rMLAEYqE9g_3CFw91rIghXC46hAGce-gH1OloIC_0J3nXirb1IjcN9HL84COdaFPg_UdczRlXDLhLOLR6qj3iPLgzPg28zPcAPv6lZ08IPq78LOD-DS_zsR7zEW/w640-h440/Book%20of%20Kells.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The new experience is part of the conservation works for the Old Library Redevelopment Project, which will safeguard the eighteenth-century building and conserve its precious collections, spanning millennia, for future generations.</span></p></span><p></p></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Founded in 1592, Trinity College has a fascinating history so after visiting the Book of Kells Experience it is worth taking a guided or self-guided walking tour of the campus on one of the Trinity Trails. </span><br style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px;" /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">Thought to have been created around AD 800, the Book of Kells contains the four gospels of the Bible transcribed by monks on lavishly decorated pages full of intricate and elaborate artistry. It contains the earliest known surviving image of the Virgin and Child in Western manuscript art.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3BOd4RjCP_3QovizVLY1g0RtoUEH9GabDKO8qNfySwmhEb12KaKMmU6Tb4yd7AGvAcdjitaN3ZwLI9UPU8R5PQQA5H1O6NM3RyxDmcndiJgGFtHcYJZXIJvyIoJIxf0gAJ5zExlP2CJyec9gynNidLsaelcyxbPz-m0HrrkO_T1u76x_u69TGkoz4KjT/s525/Dublin_Long_Room_Trinity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="525" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3BOd4RjCP_3QovizVLY1g0RtoUEH9GabDKO8qNfySwmhEb12KaKMmU6Tb4yd7AGvAcdjitaN3ZwLI9UPU8R5PQQA5H1O6NM3RyxDmcndiJgGFtHcYJZXIJvyIoJIxf0gAJ5zExlP2CJyec9gynNidLsaelcyxbPz-m0HrrkO_T1u76x_u69TGkoz4KjT/w640-h426/Dublin_Long_Room_Trinity.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The tours explore the university’s stunning architecture and history and delve into stories of its most famous students, who include Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and Jonathan Swift. </span><br style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-size: 16px;">They also reveal the rich biodiversity across the campus. Its front lawns have been rewilded with some 30 species of wildflower and hundreds of trees have been planted on the site to help create a green oasis in the heart of the city.</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px;" />For information on visiting Ireland any time of year, go to <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #005885; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75rem; text-decoration: none;">ireland.com</a></span></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-14161164343767016562024-02-28T10:40:00.005-05:002024-02-28T10:44:28.667-05:00 New England Going Green in March, Reports Irish Echo Newspaper in New York<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA42kBQBiAGl8eMH5MnDbzeWCpLd4t1drVbYllP-XbxZdQTxBySk3a5npBwmBYtM2-RehgXQ-_6rwfACEK42DS607GZxt2UOPfX7hsN4Y2PNBxYl1pswLaMGYabEZUD_Kg3Ru8nsCleqz5Z9X8nEuI9wdqCjTnuCbesDYcZV3LpNDnqt_nKUQMXN_e-YYu/s3433/Irish%20Echo_NE%20Irish%20Roundup.%20Feb%2028,%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3433" data-original-width="2604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA42kBQBiAGl8eMH5MnDbzeWCpLd4t1drVbYllP-XbxZdQTxBySk3a5npBwmBYtM2-RehgXQ-_6rwfACEK42DS607GZxt2UOPfX7hsN4Y2PNBxYl1pswLaMGYabEZUD_Kg3Ru8nsCleqz5Z9X8nEuI9wdqCjTnuCbesDYcZV3LpNDnqt_nKUQMXN_e-YYu/w486-h640/Irish%20Echo_NE%20Irish%20Roundup.%20Feb%2028,%202024.jpg" width="486" /></a></p><p>Read the <a href="https://www.irishecho.com/" target="_blank">Irish Echo</a> story on New England's vibrant Irish-American community this St Patrick's Day season. The story appears in the February 28, 2024 issue of the paper, which was founded in 1928.</p><p>Read full details of year-round Irish cultural activities in New England at <a href="http://IrishMassachusetts.com">IrishMassachusetts.com</a>. </p><p><br /></p>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-31268408084258097182024-02-19T17:16:00.003-05:002024-02-23T10:19:07.815-05:00Ireland’s Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, TD, is Keynote Speaker at Irish American Partnership Breakfast in Boston on March 13<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcilXq_5qVvGHaKVRefOvtwngYl2ONbeKdX_Y4wGRocvsp3LB-2fSGwRQ2AyAra3TzEf9dA13-Nv1Ko6W4X1b7bcYu-kAtHJT7S4iOfeJ1mXZcgzZ6W9XUsR6_WMyr8sQSFcISjUiTgzAD_S1RJ5glPoxcWYPjiCWxvTJ9nKJQS1K2XMXqPe8HTe0yaHcL/s920/Leo%20Varadkar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="920" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcilXq_5qVvGHaKVRefOvtwngYl2ONbeKdX_Y4wGRocvsp3LB-2fSGwRQ2AyAra3TzEf9dA13-Nv1Ko6W4X1b7bcYu-kAtHJT7S4iOfeJ1mXZcgzZ6W9XUsR6_WMyr8sQSFcISjUiTgzAD_S1RJ5glPoxcWYPjiCWxvTJ9nKJQS1K2XMXqPe8HTe0yaHcL/w640-h494/Leo%20Varadkar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Taoiseach of Ireland, Leo Varadkar TD</i></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/biography/1a42d-leo-varadkar/">Taoiseach of Ireland, Leo Varadkar TD</a> is the keynote speaker at the <a href="https://www.irishap.org">Irish American Partnership</a>’s annual St. Patrick's Day Boston Breakfast Celebration, taking place at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at the Intercontinental Boston Hotel.<div><br /></div><div>Taoiseach Varadkar is being joined at the 90 minute event by other public officials and business leaders who will speak about the impact the Partnership has had on Ireland by supporting education, community development and peace initiatives across the island of Ireland. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.irishap.org/events/stpatricksday-boston-2024">Reserve your seats here</a>.</div><div><div><br />Taoiseach Varadkar was elected by Dáil Éireann to the role for the second time in December 2022, having previously served in the role from 2017 to 2020. He served as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from June 2020 to December 2022. He was appointed the Leader of Fine Gael having been elected to the position by the Party’s Electoral College system in 2017.<br /><br />Formed in 1986, the Irish American Partnership (IAP) is dedicated to connecting Irish America and friends of Ireland to their heritage through targeted giving. </div><div><br /></div><div>"We invest in education, community development, and peace initiatives across the island of Ireland. Supporters have raised over $53 million for young people and communities, North and South, empowering and educating the next generation of global leaders," says Irish American Partnership CEO Mary Sugrue. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a <a href="https://www.irishap.org/events" target="_blank">schedule of upcoming events</a>. Read more <a href="https://www.irishap.org/history">about the Partnership</a>.</div></div></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-43515016946949152012024-02-18T17:04:00.001-05:002024-02-18T17:08:11.683-05:00JFK Presidential Library in Boston hosts annual Presidents' Day Festival on Monday, February 19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARrQsSJ16RCsXhTry_jSwVIW4KFuWpYcGd7bBf86YnINU_XPNaREEndw9V2PNi01aWdI5Z0U6r5DqtXihVcbldiJczG3lFtiJdqnlphyphenhyphenVqRKPL_m-XUmEzbBBvk3FZhaWkSa3b3swCUrefgVmIq98GZBr1t0c_Cv-chYDLiWK0OrT_pBrP-hPgUmCEjga/s2534/JFK_WEB_FEATURED_IMAGE_WEB_Featured_Image_W-Date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2334" data-original-width="2534" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARrQsSJ16RCsXhTry_jSwVIW4KFuWpYcGd7bBf86YnINU_XPNaREEndw9V2PNi01aWdI5Z0U6r5DqtXihVcbldiJczG3lFtiJdqnlphyphenhyphenVqRKPL_m-XUmEzbBBvk3FZhaWkSa3b3swCUrefgVmIq98GZBr1t0c_Cv-chYDLiWK0OrT_pBrP-hPgUmCEjga/w640-h590/JFK_WEB_FEATURED_IMAGE_WEB_Featured_Image_W-Date.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The <a href="https://www.jfklibrary.org" target="_blank">John F. Kennedy Presidential Library + Museum</a> in Boston holds its annual<a href="https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/families/presidents-day-week/2024-presidents-day-festival" target="_blank"> Presidents' Day Festival</a> on Monday, February 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. <div><br /></div><div><div>The festival offers a day of presidential storytelling, musical performances and exhibits that bring history to life for all ages. It features performances of Kennedy campaign songs and Museum tours that highlight President Kennedy’s time in the White House, with additional elements focusing on democratic values and the importance of civic participation to complement this election year.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a<a href="https://www.jfklibrary.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/PresidentsDayFestival2024program.pdf" target="_blank"> schedule of the full program</a>. </div><br />Onsite Visitors: Special Festival activities are free with paid admission, and children ages 17 and under are admitted free of charge on Festival Day. Additional student, military, senior and EBT <a href="https://www.jfklibrary.org/visit-museum/visit/plan-your-trip/hours-and-admission">discounts are available</a>. Regular admission fees apply to all other visitors. The Festival is especially appropriate for ages 7 and up. A quiet space is available on this day in case anyone is experiencing sensory overload and needs a break.<div><br />Online Viewing: If you cannot make it to the JFK Library, you can <a href="https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/families/presidents-day-week/watch-2024-presidents-day-festival">watch all the performances live</a>. Video recordings will also be available after the program has ended. Online viewing is free of charge. All video recordings will be closed-captioned.</div><div><br /></div><div>Learn more <a href="https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/life-of-john-f-kennedy" target="_blank">about President John F. Kennedy</a>, a native son of Massachusetts and the 35th president of the United States. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is an overview of<a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2022/03/massachusetts-is-kennedy-country-with.html" target="_blank"> Kennedy Landmarks in Massachusetts</a> devoted to President Kennedy and the Kennedy family. </div><div><div><br /></div><br /></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-73419067111144373782024-02-18T11:47:00.010-05:002024-02-18T12:44:11.895-05:00Irish Flag Raising at the JFK Monument in Holyoke, MA, a Grand Tradition Honoring President John F. Kennedy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETjpPQL9gnqh1YKcoE4fk3-CgN_qN0bi-qULrlORVrYCVeb3w6du9B5bHicaS0KYs6My62R9Oc8GXGeafBrQk9AUHwNN8_qiBqsvS0EFs372Nsit0Aj63R_LV2ojs1A0ZG2hRk_o3JEbsvFjHPu-qksJaRqE0Z6n5BrrfyJxFMs_2lYCI_A0fNhQlNkr6/s640/JFK%20Memorial_Holyoke.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETjpPQL9gnqh1YKcoE4fk3-CgN_qN0bi-qULrlORVrYCVeb3w6du9B5bHicaS0KYs6My62R9Oc8GXGeafBrQk9AUHwNN8_qiBqsvS0EFs372Nsit0Aj63R_LV2ojs1A0ZG2hRk_o3JEbsvFjHPu-qksJaRqE0Z6n5BrrfyJxFMs_2lYCI_A0fNhQlNkr6/w640-h480/JFK%20Memorial_Holyoke.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee invites the public to the <a href="https://holyokestpatricksparade.com/events/irish-flag-raising-at-the-jfk-monument" style="color: #954f72;">Irish flag raising ceremony</a> at the JFK Monument near the corner of Appleton & Sycamore streets at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, February 18, 2024.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The annual ceremony is part of a series of events leading up to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Holyoke on Sunday, March 17. The parade was first held in 1952 and is considered one of the finest parades in the United States. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Here is a <a href="https://holyokestpatricksparade.com/events" style="color: #954f72;">calendar of Holyoke events</a> taking place in the next month.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>History of the JFK Memorial <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The plan for a memorial to President John F. Kennedy in Holyoke was initiated in the weeks after the president’s assassination in 1963. The Holyoke St Patrick’s Day committee immediately put up $1,000 to start the fundraising process. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The committee decided on locating the memorial at Appleton Suffolk and Sycamore Streets, since that was “the exact spot from which the late President started the 1958 St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” reported the <i>Holyoke Transcript-Telegram</i> on May 29, 1967. As US senator, Kennedy was the first to receive an award ‘to an American of Irish descent who has distinguished themselves in their chosen field.’ The award became known as the JFK National Award, and the 2024 recipient is Boston Celtics announcer <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2024/02/boston-celtics-announcer-mike-gorman.html" target="_blank">Mike Gorman</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Early suggestions for the memorial included a seven foot statue of the president, or a depiction of JFK sitting on his rocking chair, which he used frequently because of back pains caused by the war. There was also discussion about creating a scholarship fund or contributing funds toward a new library in Holyoke. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The committee decided it wanted a permanent type of memorial, saying it would “be an inspiration to the youth of today, recalling how this young man named Kennedy gave his life for his country. In essence, he represents every soldier fighting in Vietnam and every soldier that has ever fought for his country in any war. He represents all those who have died or will die in defense of their country,” according to the<i>Telegram-Transcript</i> on May 29, 1967. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The committee accepted a concept of a cross-shaped design of the park, with walking pathways leading up to the center of the park, submitted by Harold J. Shaller, president of the American Institute of Contemporary Art in New York City. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Rock of Ages Company of Barre, Vt was awarded the park design, which included a series of granite markers with a bust of JFK as the centerpiece. Albert Yeager was chief designer of the bust, and artist Bruno Sarzanini sculptured the bust in 35 days, recounted the <i>Transcript-Telegram</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The park was unveiled on Memorial Day, May 30, 1967, following a mass at <a href="https://ourladyofthecross.com/about/history" target="_blank">Holy Cross Church</a> behind the memorial. Robert Fitzgerald, cousin of President Kennedy, was the featured speaker. <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2009/08/edward-m-kennedy-1932-2009.html" target="_blank">Senator Edward M. Kennedy</a>, who had visited the future site of the memorial when he was marching in the Holyoke parade in 1966, was unable to attend, but called into the ceremony 'by telephone hook-up' from his office in Washington, DC.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Since the opening in 1967, local officials and Irish organizations hold a number of ceremonies at the JFK Memorial, especially around Presidents Day, St. Patrick's Day and Memorial Day. On Saturday, March 16, 2024, there is a <a href="https://holyokestpatricksparade.com/events/jk28c5q59umuzr5k0ddxqd887i7e1x" target="_blank">wreath-laying ceremony at the JFK Memorial</a>, just prior to the parade on the following day.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The JFK Memorial in Holyoke is one of many landmarks honoring President Kennedy and his family. Here are some additional <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2022/03/massachusetts-is-kennedy-country-with.html" target="_blank">Kennedy sites in Massachusetts</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Find full information on the <a href="https://holyokestpatricksparade.com" target="_blank">Holyoke St. Patrick's Day parade</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Learn more about Irish activities in the New England region at <a href="http://IrishMassachusetts.com">IrishMassachusetts.com</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-47169294329864947542024-02-16T02:57:00.012-05:002024-02-24T08:21:18.554-05:00Massachusetts Celebrates St. Patrick's Day with Four Irish Festivals in Hyannis, Foxborough, Quincy and Canton, March 8-17, 2024<p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjku88i8wk3KshjxEkwkzCgQHNVEyZooH69FElB_XuZ3eTLJeOp6u1F7uK7i7XWuC6dXW48GnGH71r50CqghV6kxKjq7irY60p1cphBNroFVkuG7bagGL1a74TC8j3g1zAXirMK2G3KhzRczr3vhkh5AF_H9P4oRk4laB_EenkOTqjaiHccYisu5P1xBsfk/s1080/4%20festivals%20in%20MA%202024-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjku88i8wk3KshjxEkwkzCgQHNVEyZooH69FElB_XuZ3eTLJeOp6u1F7uK7i7XWuC6dXW48GnGH71r50CqghV6kxKjq7irY60p1cphBNroFVkuG7bagGL1a74TC8j3g1zAXirMK2G3KhzRczr3vhkh5AF_H9P4oRk4laB_EenkOTqjaiHccYisu5P1xBsfk/w640-h640/4%20festivals%20in%20MA%202024-1.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;">The </span><a href="https://irishboston.org/index.php" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Boston Irish Tourism Association</a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;"> is recommending these four amazing Irish Festivals taking place in Massachusetts </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;">in March, 2024 </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;">as part of its St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The festivals take place in Hyannis on Cape Cod, Foxborough, Quincy and Canton. Enjoy!</span></i></b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4xXpGzQPZ2u9Em6NK8xas64-PjMaq08dlYdBEbhuH-8C0nSrFKsOlrfeDzH_A3QMhzvsHX2u0ImKoxj0AvMEK7HQVc7_zQy2HJRYIF-aCeP3FItA9GAMO8kp5ti4EVAe3gGSHZY2q1PTI-HSSulhdJcqPkh417KJx1oqdjNHhUDR32iBPvEJwyoPmK_y/s1640/emerald%20resort%20image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4xXpGzQPZ2u9Em6NK8xas64-PjMaq08dlYdBEbhuH-8C0nSrFKsOlrfeDzH_A3QMhzvsHX2u0ImKoxj0AvMEK7HQVc7_zQy2HJRYIF-aCeP3FItA9GAMO8kp5ti4EVAe3gGSHZY2q1PTI-HSSulhdJcqPkh417KJx1oqdjNHhUDR32iBPvEJwyoPmK_y/w640-h360/emerald%20resort%20image.png" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">March 8-10</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><a href="https://theemeraldresort.com/event/irish-festival-2024/" target="_blank">Cape Cod Irish Festival</a> <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Irish Village at Emerald Resort<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Hyannis, Cape Cod<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Starts at 8 p.m. Friday </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Starts at Noon Saturday</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Enjoy continuous live music and dancing with the region’s top Irish bands, including Devri, Silver Spears, Slainte, Keohane & Kenneally, The Jake Ash Band, Danny Gill & The Old Brigade, Irish Whisper, The Fenian Sons, & DJ Sean O'Toole. The Irish Village offers full Irish and American menus, and Emerald Resort has 232 hotel rooms, plus swimming pools, a spa, health club and plenty of space to relax.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCYQwLCwWPvc5jjos9f3XzqkqLR72WhhzMyTqQPh9pkFclZY3hFbqs5U4WW18oKRLLBpa4aGtWd3SN5mulhfPBg76-HVsT-aAEr-_oMTnk0LoVO2NthjEW5nCbysk4ePdY_QwWW_afYWqJJm3dA88aNtR9RUodG8CwZy2wHR7y3HNxyEkCIT-S3Hvl-7M/s4096/patriot%20place%20irish%20fest.%20dancers.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3051" data-original-width="4096" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCYQwLCwWPvc5jjos9f3XzqkqLR72WhhzMyTqQPh9pkFclZY3hFbqs5U4WW18oKRLLBpa4aGtWd3SN5mulhfPBg76-HVsT-aAEr-_oMTnk0LoVO2NthjEW5nCbysk4ePdY_QwWW_afYWqJJm3dA88aNtR9RUodG8CwZy2wHR7y3HNxyEkCIT-S3Hvl-7M/w640-h476/patriot%20place%20irish%20fest.%20dancers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">March 16</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><a href="https://www.patriot-place.com/irish-festival/" target="_blank">Patriot Place 13th Annual Irish Festival </a><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">11 a.m. to 4 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Gillette Stadium, Foxborough<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Join this fun-filled family day with lots live Irish music, step dancing, special pop-up Irish-themed vendors and numerous crafts and activities, as well as food and drinks from the Harp Pub, Six String Grill & Stage and Wormtown Brewery. Live Irish bands include Devri, The Fenian Sons, the Old Colony Highlanders Pipe Band and more. Award-winning dance schools include the Sullivan-Stewart School of Irish Dance and Greene-O’Leary Irish Dance. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03yTsCsPPegVFIh46FckKmpcuk-tNkwrDVie3RqsOxqm0hY8Q7tK9Td5jzkdbMTo3YlZutvWqEEg6lOLh9Tc9OipJFr28bpCYWiyRyPnNH_h4q74a3eqE49iKAIiKb9yQQ1ZspyXp4uiHq1OP6aFrB9HyrAmZUIWmqMJeuWjPgmjhT8UnxRm6eJTSIJe7/s1200/heaton_about.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03yTsCsPPegVFIh46FckKmpcuk-tNkwrDVie3RqsOxqm0hY8Q7tK9Td5jzkdbMTo3YlZutvWqEEg6lOLh9Tc9OipJFr28bpCYWiyRyPnNH_h4q74a3eqE49iKAIiKb9yQQ1ZspyXp4uiHq1OP6aFrB9HyrAmZUIWmqMJeuWjPgmjhT8UnxRm6eJTSIJe7/w640-h429/heaton_about.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">March 16<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><a href="https://freejacks.com/festivals-2024/st-patricks-day/" target="_blank">Free Jacks St. Patrick’s Day Festival</a><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">2 – 6 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Watch some of New England’s best local rugby clubs compete in the second annual Heritage Cup, followed by a top class match between the New England Free Jacks and old Rivals NOLA Gold. Enjoy live Irish music from Matt & Shannon Heaton. A Stout Fest presented by Forged Irish Stout offers a variety of stouts, porters and brews from Ireland and beyond. Hot smoked BBG is on the menu.</p><span><!--more--></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZQlH1nq5q-JEIFnQTSDHzn1CZnO083Aso7wyV28tsk_CLi3qsXv9F5kGi_rJGBDxYzMg2ogorOhY2dBfRb-JgMgb65BcE2CTSQqiIFHdt1bKzqV8sVzScJMQZ-fmi4R3X0jgHbmNhWcBdH7K-edyiw2hN7U_bNVgR7TX6ULzjU2mAf7KZIOwc3LdoEwy/s940/icc%20march%2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="940" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZQlH1nq5q-JEIFnQTSDHzn1CZnO083Aso7wyV28tsk_CLi3qsXv9F5kGi_rJGBDxYzMg2ogorOhY2dBfRb-JgMgb65BcE2CTSQqiIFHdt1bKzqV8sVzScJMQZ-fmi4R3X0jgHbmNhWcBdH7K-edyiw2hN7U_bNVgR7TX6ULzjU2mAf7KZIOwc3LdoEwy/w640-h320/icc%20march%2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">March 16-17 </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><a href="https://www.irishculture.org/calendar/st-patricks-day-celebrations-all-day/" target="_blank">ICC St. Patrick's Day Festival</a><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston<br />Canton </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Starts at Noon <br />The ICC’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival is a popular weekend of family-fun and celebration. Live Irish music includes Strawberry Hill and Slainte on Saturday, then Yokeshire and Skeaf Bridge on Sunday, plus traditional sessions. Enjoy step dancing performances by the Greene-O’Leary Irish Dance and other local schools. Corned beef and cabbage is available, plus a limited pub menu. Irish Vendors offer authentic products from Ireland for sale. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">See <a href="https://irishboston.org/parades.php" target="_blank">BITA's schedule of Irish parades</a> in New England and<a href="https://irishboston.org/march.php" target="_blank"> BITA's March calendar</a> of Irish music, dance, theater and culture. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-17634335291826735682024-02-07T09:00:00.012-05:002024-02-07T11:30:20.443-05:00Boston Celtics Announcer Mike Gorman Receives Prestigious JFK National Award in Holyoke This St. Patrick's Day Season<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAzzPiJR730kGlMHLyM1yfdRdXR2dY125-tN0aj8XxSRG65eG8RhnjIg-EjXV_myyil5kRs2rG3Tr6exoDgkLUfQgKkat1NEm9M0fzYJIaKe8k26wSyzRQ0ZdgwBL9AZn0HVGYFuuvFtOWWXq_tpJadJDYYqz-IafHZ8xjNSjEi_t4qR3LBa6eLuOeUFX/s750/Mike%20Gorman,%20Celtics%20announcer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAzzPiJR730kGlMHLyM1yfdRdXR2dY125-tN0aj8XxSRG65eG8RhnjIg-EjXV_myyil5kRs2rG3Tr6exoDgkLUfQgKkat1NEm9M0fzYJIaKe8k26wSyzRQ0ZdgwBL9AZn0HVGYFuuvFtOWWXq_tpJadJDYYqz-IafHZ8xjNSjEi_t4qR3LBa6eLuOeUFX/w640-h426/Mike%20Gorman,%20Celtics%20announcer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div><div>The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke has named Mike Gorman, the <a href="https://www.nba.com/celtics/">Boston Celtics</a> play-by-play commentator for the past 43 years, as its 64th recipient of the prestigious <a href="https://holyokestpatricksparade.com/award-jfk">John F. Kennedy National Award</a>. The award is presented annually to an American of Irish descent who has distinguished themselves in his or her chosen field.<br /><br />“It is an honor to be receiving the 2024 John F. Kennedy National Award from the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke," Gorman said when notified of the award. "I am extremely proud of my Irish-American heritage. My grandmother came here from Skibbereen, where she met my grandfather who came from Dublin. They would be so proud to see me among the stellar list of previous award recipients. I look forward to a wonderful weekend.” <br /><br />Mike Gorman grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts and attended Boston State, now known as UMass/ Boston. He was an aviator in the U.S. Navy for five years and began his broadcasting career at WNBH in New Bedford and WPRO radio in Providence, before becoming the Boston Celtics play-by-player announcer since 1981.<br /><br /></div><div>A five-time Emmy award winner, Gorman was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. In the illustrious history of the Boston Celtics, legendary announcers Johnny Most and Mike Gorman have been the voice of the Celtics.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 2023-2024 NBA season will be Mike's final season. "Covering the Boston Celtics has been a privilege. It’s also been a lot of fun," Gorman said.<br /><br />“Mike Gorman's professional accomplishments, which include his service to our country, exemplify the criteria the Committee seeks in honoring an American of Irish descent in the spirit of President Kennedy," said Parade President Hayley Dunn, "He is a legend in the sports world, especially among the legion of Boston Celtics fans who for over 40 years have depended on his play-by-play voice.<br /><br />"Mike's Irish wit have made him a cherished figure in the sportscasting world, and I'm thrilled we will be honoring him with this award in his farewell season with the Celtics. The Committee looks forward to hosting Mr. Gorman and his family Parade weekend,” Dunn said. <br /><br />The list of past John F. Kennedy National Award honorees is notable for its range of Irish-Americans from all walks of life, starting with President <a href="https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/life-of-john-f-kennedy" target="_blank">John F. Kennedy</a> himself, who received the first award in 1958. A selection of other winners include Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney (1980) and his son, US Ambassador to Ireland <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2006/12/profile-on-dan-rooney-owner-of.html" target="_blank">Dan Rooney</a> (2010); writers Jimmy Breslin (1977), Tom Clancy (1992) Dan Shaughnessy (2007), <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2010/09/historian-david-mccullough-is-recipient.html" target="_blank">David McCullough</a> (2011) and Doris Kearns Goodwin (2013); singer Carmel Quinn (1991), actress Maureen O'Hara (1982), businessman <a href="https://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Third_Party_PDF/2008/06/27/TJFlatley__1214596178_1788-1.pdf" target="_blank">Thomas J. Flatley</a>, astronaut <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2011/02/massachusetts-astronaut-cady-coleman.html" target="_blank">Catherine Cady Coleman</a>, and various political leaders including <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2009/08/edward-m-kennedy-1932-2009.html" target="_blank">Senator Ted Kennedy</a>, House Speaker Tip O'Neill, Mayor and US Ambassador <a href="https://irishboston.org/profile_RayFlynn.php" target="_blank">Ray Flynn</a> and Congressman <a href="https://irishamericansforobamabiden.blogspot.com/2023/02/massachusetts-us-congressman-richard.html" target="_blank">Richie Neal.</a><br /><br />During the parade weekend in Holyoke, Gorman will be honored at the JFK Award Dinner at Log Cabin on Saturday, March 16, an event open to the public. He will also be recognized at the 47th St. Patrick’s Road Race earlier in the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the following day, Sunday, March 17, Gorman will march in the 71st Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade procession. </div><div><br /> For more information, visit <a href="http://www.holyokestpatricksparade.com/">holyokestpatricksparade.com</a>.<br /></div></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-22225301652204661932024-02-06T17:21:00.010-05:002024-02-10T06:27:25.288-05:00Meet Síghle FitzGerald, Ireland's Consul General in Boston <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr3U-_JaWoLmhac-A9p8zfQp3QgbFS5z2lHVc8DOUIjA5TnD-4PMrYEyVQenGmmCWSEwiQroxlPurGrt39J8CxCE8feNqhRR4gDFOqrrZnuiBSqU5_NUwrYA4-zBYXfk0PgPgFhOOlxwVytJn-TiHHt130nbAnEcvZwAi7i2Ojwsv_qHRgyWQdGBY8OFs/s547/Sighle%20Fitzgerald.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="369" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr3U-_JaWoLmhac-A9p8zfQp3QgbFS5z2lHVc8DOUIjA5TnD-4PMrYEyVQenGmmCWSEwiQroxlPurGrt39J8CxCE8feNqhRR4gDFOqrrZnuiBSqU5_NUwrYA4-zBYXfk0PgPgFhOOlxwVytJn-TiHHt130nbAnEcvZwAi7i2Ojwsv_qHRgyWQdGBY8OFs/w432-h640/Sighle%20Fitzgerald.png" width="432" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Síghle FitzGerald</div><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Meet Ireland's Consul General in Boston <a href="https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/" target="_blank">Síghle FitzGerald</a>, who started in September 2023. She replaced <a href="https://www.dfa.ie/irish-consulate/boston/about-us/consulgenerallaoisemoore/" target="_blank">Dr. Laiose Moore</a>, who returned to Dublin in summer 2023 for a new posting after being in Boston since May 2019. </div><div><br /></div><div>A native of Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, FitzGerald graduated from University of Galway with an honours degree in English & Political Science and has a post graduate Diploma in Public Relations from Dublin City University. </div><div><br /></div><div>She has 20+ years experience as a career diplomat with Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, having served as Cultural and Press Attaché in Ireland’s embassies in Madrid and Washington DC. She was assigned to Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in 2013. In 2021 she became Joint Director General of the International Fund for Ireland, having previously served in the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh. </div><div><br /></div><div>“I am looking forward to taking on all the varied aspects of my role and working with our wonderful team here in the Consulate. I also look forward to travelling throughout New England and meeting with as many of you as possible during my term,” FitzGerald says. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Consulate General is based in Boston and has responsibility for Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>The Consulate promotes and protects Irish interests through its work with the Irish community in the region, promoting Irish economic interests, supporting the strong partnerships between Ireland and the United States and providing key consular services to Irish citizens.<div><br />For further information, contact <a href=" https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/">ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/</a>.<div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/
</div></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-58255821816570608912024-02-02T11:31:00.007-05:002024-02-02T11:34:11.091-05:00 James Joyce's Novel Ulysses was published on February 2, 1922<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_HGbj8GEf_7sZ3C81eQtTqau1VCcen17USiWnkIZQJOHlw18ApgK-VuuSEPphPqsWmJqFcMBC73elGHV1QYvEPFnILETVnN78T5TZK-TBkEWMPkZNWWyhp10Aftp8sF6ClvIMysjD9aWj8Qzl81XZMBHefQa46tfBGCDKxugcXbxXbZxu-lRQdXIWR3R/s800/Ulysses.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_HGbj8GEf_7sZ3C81eQtTqau1VCcen17USiWnkIZQJOHlw18ApgK-VuuSEPphPqsWmJqFcMBC73elGHV1QYvEPFnILETVnN78T5TZK-TBkEWMPkZNWWyhp10Aftp8sF6ClvIMysjD9aWj8Qzl81XZMBHefQa46tfBGCDKxugcXbxXbZxu-lRQdXIWR3R/w640-h640/Ulysses.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Irishman James Joyce's novel, <i>Ulysses</i> was first published in Paris, France on February 2, 1922, which also happened to be Joyces 40th birthday. Hailed as a masterpiece work of fiction by literary critics everywhere, <i>Ulysses</i> is set in Dublin and revolves around a single day, June 16, 1904.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">More than a century later, enthusiasm for <i>Ulysses</i> has only grown, and that is one reason why people from around the world come to Dublin each June to celebrate the literary masterpiece, at the annual <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/events/bloomsday-festival/">Bloomsday</a>. Literary walking tours, readings, costumed revelers and plenty of pub toasts take place in mid-June to celebrate the book's fictional character, Leopold Bloom. This year's <a href="http://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie" target="_blank">Bloomsday Festival</a> takes place June 11-16, 2024.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When in Dublin, visit these Joycean destinations:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">. The <a href="https://moli.ie/">Museum of Literature Ireland </a>(MoLI), which has the very first copy of the novel printed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />. The <a href="https://jamesjoyce.ie/">James Joyce Centre </a> a stunning Georgian townhouse with many connections to Joyce and his works, including the original door from No. 7 Eccles Street, Leopold Bloom’s address in <i>Ulysses</i>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> . <a href="https://joycetower.ie/">James Joyce Towe</a>r in Sandycove, where the opening scene of Ulysses takes place.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">. <a href="https://davybyrnes.com/">Davy Byrnes Pub</a>, where Leopold Bloom consumed his Gorgonzola sandwich and glass of burgundy on June 16. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLwNOJiPKI53M_NpUKb9THJDbcWRvtTHzGq8lDRtk573afaHGQtmpole7fUaDtArcOLG2vYxu5hNREEemOPsP2S_tWAS21oFiCtSnax2wEycHHq4wUeaENEYNY3tTMvxEmgCsoaQxidYIo2VRHTADylOqNx75ubrwWwid7HI7VzevEKJYdun-MYM4MKuw/s525/dublin_johnnie_foxes_readin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="525" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLwNOJiPKI53M_NpUKb9THJDbcWRvtTHzGq8lDRtk573afaHGQtmpole7fUaDtArcOLG2vYxu5hNREEemOPsP2S_tWAS21oFiCtSnax2wEycHHq4wUeaENEYNY3tTMvxEmgCsoaQxidYIo2VRHTADylOqNx75ubrwWwid7HI7VzevEKJYdun-MYM4MKuw/w640-h426/dublin_johnnie_foxes_readin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dublin is one of 42 <a href="https://www.citiesoflit.com/">UNESCO Cities of Literature</a> around the world, hailed for its numerous poets, novelists, essayists and playwrights, bookstores and colleges, book festivals and literary activities. <a href="https://irishboston.org/Ireland_Dublin_Literature.php">Read more details here</a>. Ireland itself has produced four Nobel Prize winners in literature: William B. Yeats in 1923, George B. Shaw in 1925, Samuel Becket in 1969 and Seamus Heaney in 1995.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For more information on visiting Ireland, go to <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/">ireland.com</a>.</span><br /></div></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-65413884820036457582024-02-01T22:00:00.002-05:002024-02-02T00:25:55.868-05:00Boston's Second Annual St. Brigid’s Day Celebration Featured Panel Discussion on Legacy, Leadership and Diaspora<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaO45-4VelKw7BDOOclF6TWMsMgjw4K4gTTahsoWh10WY4CnY9goOIEdklWmaP9uOwzhPu7X5om_hNPZCPN0OOpu1YqrcFfscBRkKg7BTha2avK4oNFySFotNwaJg3f6AhGohNQReZ0gSNpjJJCMghzIfogbfrVRquz4e_lu-KilYUnQVkSa0Hn3dlmhA/s1522/Speakers-Brigid%20Night.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1522" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaO45-4VelKw7BDOOclF6TWMsMgjw4K4gTTahsoWh10WY4CnY9goOIEdklWmaP9uOwzhPu7X5om_hNPZCPN0OOpu1YqrcFfscBRkKg7BTha2avK4oNFySFotNwaJg3f6AhGohNQReZ0gSNpjJJCMghzIfogbfrVRquz4e_lu-KilYUnQVkSa0Hn3dlmhA/w640-h606/Speakers-Brigid%20Night.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">(L-R) Martina Curtin, </span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">Katherine Craven, </span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">Liz Breadon, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;">Sighle FitzGerald, </span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">Dr. Saranna Fanning, PhD and</span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"> </span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"> Claire Connolly.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><br /></span></i></div></i>The <a href="https://www.irishculture.org">Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) of Greater Boston</a>, in collaboration with the <a href="https://www.dfa.ie/irish-consulate/boston/">Consulate General of Ireland Boston</a>, held its second annual St. Brigid’s Day celebration on Thursday, February 1 at the Westin Copley Place in Boston.<br /><br />ICC Board President Martina Curtin welcomed more than 100 guests to the event in Boston's Back Bay, part of a worldwide celebration taking place in Ireland and throughout the Irish Diaspora to honor St. Brigid, patron saint of Ireland. <br /><br />Irish Consul General Sighle FitzGerald, whose Consulate represents Boston and New England, introduced and moderated a panel discussion entitled Brigid: Legacy, Leadership and Dispora. Panelists included Boston College Professor and Burns Scholar Claire Connolly; Harvard Medical School Assistant Professor of Neurology Dr. Saranna Fanning; Babson College Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Katherine Craven; and Boston City Councilor Liz Breadon.<p style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dGu5KpCnBAElh7q9NsUXUmA_YXkrdiXZ20-MPd3fuMG112UTvZxVYOqiO6dQmAW6GFduAm8Vwhu89tc6jEmW4zV-9OO_oUWdj6zdzSi1qaaySbvEcbG4LUKId53Wf8t_MZDrAhQ4pLtAzlQW8_QRpZReKy85gfUDF2pOayzLby6c99q96Dsqo0DfOrnD/s1496/St.%20Brigid%20pins%20and%20program.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1496" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dGu5KpCnBAElh7q9NsUXUmA_YXkrdiXZ20-MPd3fuMG112UTvZxVYOqiO6dQmAW6GFduAm8Vwhu89tc6jEmW4zV-9OO_oUWdj6zdzSi1qaaySbvEcbG4LUKId53Wf8t_MZDrAhQ4pLtAzlQW8_QRpZReKy85gfUDF2pOayzLby6c99q96Dsqo0DfOrnD/w640-h616/St.%20Brigid%20pins%20and%20program.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Live traditional Irish music was provided by Katie and Brad O'Donnell and Adam Hendy. Niamh Healey provided harp music and Mary Conroy Henderson sang the American and Irish anthems. </p>St. Brigid’s Day, Lá Fhéile Bríde, became a national holiday in Ireland in 2023, and has become an annual celebration of the creativity and achievements of Irish women, in the arts, science, business, politics and countless other fields. Read about the <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2023/12/winter-festival-celebrates-irelands.html">activities to honor Brigid in Ireland this month</a>.<br /><br />For information about visiting Ireland, go to <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/">Ireland.com</a>.<br /><br /><p style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #555555; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></p>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-11517865713106617142024-01-29T12:13:00.004-05:002024-01-29T12:17:43.194-05:00Irish actor Barry Keoghan Named 2024 Man of the Year by Hasty Pudding Theatricals in Harvard Square, Cambridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP59lWwu-uoQS-E_ybwBTx2RfVBWPvd3S8WP2Lc4MwduMjw8AN6qZY7h8pjMJm4AvttG1-pLAJYRoDnPMiiDDSUWASpxJGE9iq7qQR2_02E4A_Xpw20KCmECHqGkgqS7wMYa_PLN1bTCkwwMqKT2JKgvrpVviUOlGTnR-6DdKct7SaduZrSkJ2SC5mcwn4/s2048/Barry-Keoghan-Headshot-by-Christian-Tierney.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP59lWwu-uoQS-E_ybwBTx2RfVBWPvd3S8WP2Lc4MwduMjw8AN6qZY7h8pjMJm4AvttG1-pLAJYRoDnPMiiDDSUWASpxJGE9iq7qQR2_02E4A_Xpw20KCmECHqGkgqS7wMYa_PLN1bTCkwwMqKT2JKgvrpVviUOlGTnR-6DdKct7SaduZrSkJ2SC5mcwn4/w512-h640/Barry-Keoghan-Headshot-by-Christian-Tierney.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Irish actor Barry Keoghan has been named the 2024 Man of the Year by Harvard's <a href="https://www.hastypudding.org" target="_blank">Hasty Pudding Theatricals</a>. The ceremony takes place on Friday, February 2, when Hasty Pudding holds its celebratory roast for Mr. Keoghan at 7 p.m. and presents him with his Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall in Harvard Square. <div><br /></div><div>After the roast and Pudding Pot presentation, Keoghan will stay for the premiere of Hasty Pudding’s annual student-written musical, titled “Heist Heist Baby.”<br /><br /></div><div>The Dublin-born actor was cited by <a href="https://www.hastypudding.org" target="_blank">Hasty Pudding</a> for his work in movies ranging from <i>Dunkirk, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Eternals to <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2023/02/lights-camera-action-ireland-irish.html" target="_blank">The Banshees of Inisherin</a> </i>and<i> Saltburn,</i> calling Keoghan "a truly unique and impactful presence in the world of entertainment."<br /><br />Keoghan joins a host of other award winners including Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds, part of a zany tradition dating back to 1967 when comedian Bob Hope won. <div><br /><div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="wpb_wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Barry Keoghan is an Academy Award®, Golden Globe®, SAG Award nominated performer as well as a BAFTA Award winning film and television actor. </div><br />The <a href="https://www.hastypudding.org/theatricals-history/" target="_blank">Hasty Pudding Theatricals</a> have presented their unique brand of student-written theater every year since 1844, the only exceptions being for World Wars I and II and the COVID-19 pandemic.<div class="wpb_wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />The Hasty Pudding Theatricals is sponsored by <a href="https://www.thecoop.com" target="_blank">The Harvard Cooperative Society</a>. </div><div class="wpb_wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="wpb_wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Follow Barry Keoghan on <a href="https://twitter.com/barrykeoghan" target="_blank">twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/keoghan92/" target="_blank">instagram</a>.</div><div class="wpb_wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="wpb_wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">For more about visiting Ireland, go to <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/">Ireland.com</a>.</div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-9514404294381858282024-01-26T09:30:00.015-05:002024-01-27T18:12:38.275-05:00US Ambassador Claire Cronin Opens US Pavilion at the Holiday World Show in Dublin this Weekend<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeGp1gDMxGuHyKyKJ_clHiYjFqI4juxZBOxhTKSh6hhDzRmmbYMF7IYhNuqnG646L0akc2yvbOxz30i2S0CK7pPbwLECvJvfvEhteUHa_uwzRLi5BfSJd-bEPB3Z1HJhRgzEzzhE6RVQ0ORf826_j1rmTHcGw2_jk4YV8sg_P2hoHbDXuQurWmHYxkw7U/s1294/Amb%20Cronin.%20home%20show%20dublin%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1287" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeGp1gDMxGuHyKyKJ_clHiYjFqI4juxZBOxhTKSh6hhDzRmmbYMF7IYhNuqnG646L0akc2yvbOxz30i2S0CK7pPbwLECvJvfvEhteUHa_uwzRLi5BfSJd-bEPB3Z1HJhRgzEzzhE6RVQ0ORf826_j1rmTHcGw2_jk4YV8sg_P2hoHbDXuQurWmHYxkw7U/w636-h640/Amb%20Cronin.%20home%20show%20dublin%202024.jpg" width="636" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>US Ambassador Claire Cronin opens the US Pavilion at <span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(24, 40, 87); font-family: Roboto; font-size: 15px;">The Holiday World Show Dublin</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><i><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(24, 40, 87); font-family: Roboto; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Photo courtesy of Holiday World Show Dublin.</span> </span></i></span></div><p></p>
Today, <a href="https://ie.usembassy.gov/ambassador-claire-d-cronin/" target="_blank">US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin</a> officially opened the US Pavilion at the at <a href="https://www.holidayworldshow.com" target="_blank">The Holiday World Show Dublin</a> at the RDS Simmonscourt in Ballsbridge. The gathering of 1,000+ travel professionals from 50 countries is held each year to help Irish consumers plan dream holidays around the world. The annual show runs through Sunday, January 28. <div><br /></div><div>Ambassador Cronin was joined by Clare Dunne, chief executive of the <a href="https://itaa.ie" target="_blank">Irish Travel Agents Association</a> (ITAA), Maureen Ledwith, sales director at the <a href="https://www.holidayworldshow.com/site/uploads/2024-ezines-and-manuals/new-2024-dublin-ezine.pdf" target="_blank">Holiday World Show</a>, Tony Lane, president of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/woodstockcommunications" target="_blank">Woodstock Communications</a>, and representatives from numerous American states, cities and destinations, including several New England representatives. </div><div><br /></div><div>“You can make all your travel plans to visit the United States at the show. Flights are easier than ever before, and we have more direct flights from both Dublin and Shannon airports to the United States,” Ambassador Cronin said.
“We’re here to help you meet you expert travel agents, to hear from the people from our consulate department, if you have any questions on visas or customs and border protection, here’s your one-stop shop.” </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBhsctWJ11g_S5khyc0R6-bCFbCSevbH-kvO-jegXoSvC5rt7sI7aw5UIfCGjnDnXR7VDQ72AUZqOZ27nuT09Y1rw8tYcAR2otLLQrK7vadSwIGAiWFQIG6-jVwHJMdLo7FLdBX9297PFwBbZjLOHzMtT2LembAAzg_FrFWL-oQXn62jbCI0NPWH-qZVY/s880/newport%20Rhode%20Island.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="880" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBhsctWJ11g_S5khyc0R6-bCFbCSevbH-kvO-jegXoSvC5rt7sI7aw5UIfCGjnDnXR7VDQ72AUZqOZ27nuT09Y1rw8tYcAR2otLLQrK7vadSwIGAiWFQIG6-jVwHJMdLo7FLdBX9297PFwBbZjLOHzMtT2LembAAzg_FrFWL-oQXn62jbCI0NPWH-qZVY/w640-h302/newport%20Rhode%20Island.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Newport, Rhode Island</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Photo Courtesy of Discover Newport</i></b></div></b><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://discovernewengland.org" target="_blank">Discover New England</a>, a regional destination marketing organization representing Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont , has a strong presence each year at the Holiday World Show, because of the longstanding travel an cultural connections between Ireland and New England. Representatives at this year’s show include <a href="https://www.discovernewport.org" target="_blank">Newport, Rhode Island</a>, <a href="https://ctvisit.com" target="_blank">Connecticut</a>, <a href="https://visitmaine.com" target="_blank">Maine</a> and <a href="https://www.visitvermont.com" target="_blank">Vermont</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Other American destinations at the show included New York, Colorado, the Deep South,
Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Los Angeles. </div><div><br /></div><div>And as always, numerous countries around the world had travel booths, including France, Peru, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Taiwan, Japan, Spain, Columbia and Cyprus.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ireland was also well-represented at the show, with counties, cities, hotels and other destinations all vying for the Irish vacationer making plans to travel in 2024. Among the counties exhibiting were Sligo, Mayo, Cork, Offaly, Roscommon, Leitrim, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Belfast and Donegal. Find more about visiting <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/" target="_blank">Ireland</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information about visiting New England, go to <a href="http://DiscoverNewEngland.com">DiscoverNewEngland.com</a>. </div><div><br /></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-64402481983394833332024-01-25T22:07:00.001-05:002024-01-25T22:07:39.457-05:00Popular Singer Dave Try Performs at the Irish Cultural Centre on Friday, January 26<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyQdBYKRCPw0gLbzqwK7GDiZaKwAInjNaKSa3qb_EfLRhSJxV0zDo3qOAVQY-E8MOqm9KJRbuOgDPzEWsKBsXx1CvWa3VI6Jq7k8X85vL-9O_xSS47510-OKzHhU9vqeZuP43w0nCXgMXCyxzKpq0aPsXMfMDcLWBHjf6w5sViCNIzLJxkpYO1Ge03YLc/s2500/DAVE%20TRY.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="2500" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyQdBYKRCPw0gLbzqwK7GDiZaKwAInjNaKSa3qb_EfLRhSJxV0zDo3qOAVQY-E8MOqm9KJRbuOgDPzEWsKBsXx1CvWa3VI6Jq7k8X85vL-9O_xSS47510-OKzHhU9vqeZuP43w0nCXgMXCyxzKpq0aPsXMfMDcLWBHjf6w5sViCNIzLJxkpYO1Ge03YLc/w640-h360/DAVE%20TRY.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Irish singer and guitarist <a href="https://www.davetry.com" target="_blank">Dave Try</a> performs at the <a href="https://www.irishculture.org/" target="_blank">Irish Cultural Centre</a> in Canton on Friday, January 26, from 6-9 p.m. He'll be playing in the ICC Pub, which offers a terrific menu of Irish and American food, a full bar, and plenty of good vibes. <p></p><p>A graduate of Berklee College of Music, the Irish-born musician plays a full repertoire of Irish songs and other genres too. He returns to the ICC next Saturday, February 3.</p><p>Check out Dave Try's version of Rocky Road to Dublin, written in the 19th century with lyrics by D.K. Gaven, the Galway poet. </p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eSG5t31iXHg?si=3kEwzQ6mVrJLjEvJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.irishculture.org/about-us/" target="_blank">Irish Cultural Centre</a> is a year-round facility founded in 1989 to serve as a headquarters for Irish culture, theater, language, sports and education. The 46 acre grounds includes athletic fields, walking paths, an authentic Irish cottage, and a state-of-the-art building with a library, banquet room, class rooms, pub and dining area for large groups. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-85769981983028687862024-01-21T07:30:00.020-05:002024-01-21T07:44:19.327-05:00Belfast 2024 offers a year round celebration Art, Music, Nature and Creativity in Northern Ireland's Capital City <p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbzaiq-GEMEurdGAf3xYbzJVh0lQ_m08Tv0jfP_fkvf_ANmuYFkOy-T3lcy3sTrM0-YHQocMHP5orpuxuv7COP4evF1dW1O1mMTK7RidBl9sMig62hKQ0EonOMMvoCExpLiDsgMKLwjeZDAczP32Y16yJ49oi8wvqH0aC7mn2S6N1m2NspyB5udrWzNAo/s2668/Night%20time%20view%20of%20Belfast%20City,%20Co.%20Antrim%20lead.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2668" data-original-width="2500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbzaiq-GEMEurdGAf3xYbzJVh0lQ_m08Tv0jfP_fkvf_ANmuYFkOy-T3lcy3sTrM0-YHQocMHP5orpuxuv7COP4evF1dW1O1mMTK7RidBl9sMig62hKQ0EonOMMvoCExpLiDsgMKLwjeZDAczP32Y16yJ49oi8wvqH0aC7mn2S6N1m2NspyB5udrWzNAo/w600-h640/Night%20time%20view%20of%20Belfast%20City,%20Co.%20Antrim%20lead.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><p><br />An exciting new program of culture, creativity and nature exploration is being launched by the City of Belfast in Northern Ireland this year. <a href="https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfast2024/the-programme">Belfast 2024</a> is a year-long celebrate of the city's distinctive culture and vibrancy, built around the themes Our People, Our Place and Our Planet.</p><p>Among the offerings in 2024:</p><p><b>Art installations. </b> Multiple art installations include Power Plants by Oliver Jeffers this July, a forest of sculptural chimneys topped with flowers. This Belfast City Hall exhibit explore the issue of sustainability. Then in autumn, the Titanic dry dock welcomes an art display called Shadow Dock, an immersive installation using light, shadow, color and sound.</p><p><b>Musical celebrations</b>. As a <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.com/ireland_belfast_music.php" target="_blank">UNESCO City of Music</a>, Belfast continues to develop and strengthen its musical credentials. In August, Belfast celebrates its black culture in a musical journey that spans the 1845 to 2024, performed by So Lab Collective in the city centre. Later in the year the Ulster Orchestra presents a major concert along with contemporary headliners.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPqNzAU5Lz7lIc_w9FZS6LPovAug_5tQrqW4oeiRh1HGRcAR11AR9CHSD4zowZGJKCJPp7ilyBD_vEMgZ0OnsxxjFGBxvmI1b01GijwXVcBOGDtyFd0QQ6RmYFAvdVVOYrXZAuF4OF6workZz4CTih35qQTpr-nIf1lwjIFqcuW86Fq-ug4E_MEGySrik/s786/Befast%202024.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPqNzAU5Lz7lIc_w9FZS6LPovAug_5tQrqW4oeiRh1HGRcAR11AR9CHSD4zowZGJKCJPp7ilyBD_vEMgZ0OnsxxjFGBxvmI1b01GijwXVcBOGDtyFd0QQ6RmYFAvdVVOYrXZAuF4OF6workZz4CTih35qQTpr-nIf1lwjIFqcuW86Fq-ug4E_MEGySrik/w634-h640/Befast%202024.png" width="634" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Theater and Performing Art</b>s. In summer, an outdoor event called 'Since the River Went on Fire' features music, dance and puppetry. Then in November, Tuartha presents dance theatre combining arts and dance with poetry and Irish music and language. And a theatrical journey called 'Are you on the Bus' travels through Belfast’s queer pasts, presents and possible futures, while 'Hear, Touch, Feel' explores touch through choreography, fabrics, audio and video narratives.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NMWv3SB36N3q710sVMPYjDo8M5KDmf2DvSGHRwz9Zv_yiIWnvfhHhUlI1obSR7UsZTvpzi4eRSf_lBT878OU6T341YQ33-YqCtGHdanj7JcKxfl23elgJs-8cyF0EPizyMtfc4JiVIRwVw-BWO3x7Km4axm1lwBB9qx1lSu-9K-dH6aEHzTdXDRu0CPp/s4000/Big%20Fish,%20River%20Lagan,%20Belfast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NMWv3SB36N3q710sVMPYjDo8M5KDmf2DvSGHRwz9Zv_yiIWnvfhHhUlI1obSR7UsZTvpzi4eRSf_lBT878OU6T341YQ33-YqCtGHdanj7JcKxfl23elgJs-8cyF0EPizyMtfc4JiVIRwVw-BWO3x7Km4axm1lwBB9qx1lSu-9K-dH6aEHzTdXDRu0CPp/w640-h426/Big%20Fish,%20River%20Lagan,%20Belfast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /><b>Maritime Heritage</b>. Belfast is famous as the birthplace of the Titanic, and 2024 offers a series of events celebrating the waterfront. Among them is a project that aims to build 10,000 boats of all sizes, and a floating, inhabitable pavilion on the River Lagan is being designed to stimulate conversation about the river’s potential to be a vital public space.</p><p>In addition to these Belfast 2024 initiatives, visitors can enjoy the annual <a href="https://belfastinternationalartsfestival.com/"><b>Belfast International Arts Festival</b></a> and the <a href="https://belfastfilmfestival.org/"><b>Belfast Film Festival</b></a>, both held in autumn. </p><p>Check back for more updates on Belfast 2024 program, and find complete information on visiting the island of Ireland at <a href="http://www.ireland.com/">www.ireland.com</a>.</p>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-27581817349005297642024-01-20T11:58:00.004-05:002024-01-20T12:12:21.375-05:00In January, Celebrate Robert Burns Night in Massachusetts in honor of the Scottish Bard<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oG1kXt-NScLf4RQLUIjUaQgjYaDq304vV46jbcnc3zUVhJzlNsBd0oLznaq0_FCkphyn6SVlIFvbG3TFTk9-QHzXRjFrvLmeyI7DWUdVpBTpaEzmHMIbrj6hshpKvicIE0Yv5S0_HMdBBqe34cOHDYpIQH455viO0LfFd9YcUqKibQYaNA-mcta7TbRJ/s1446/Burns%20Statue%20fens%202024%20tint.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1094" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oG1kXt-NScLf4RQLUIjUaQgjYaDq304vV46jbcnc3zUVhJzlNsBd0oLznaq0_FCkphyn6SVlIFvbG3TFTk9-QHzXRjFrvLmeyI7DWUdVpBTpaEzmHMIbrj6hshpKvicIE0Yv5S0_HMdBBqe34cOHDYpIQH455viO0LfFd9YcUqKibQYaNA-mcta7TbRJ/w484-h640/Burns%20Statue%20fens%202024%20tint.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Robert Burns Statue in The Fens, Boston</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Robert Burns (1759-1796) was a prolific Scottish poet and larger than life figure. In 1801, a few years after his death, friends of Burns gathered on his birthday, January 25, to celebrate the poet's extraordinary life and contribution to literature. The tradition has continued ever since. <div><br /></div><div>New England has a vibrant community of Scots-Americans who are always ready to enjoy authentic Scottish fare and fashion, to sing songs and recite poetry, to dance dance and offer good cheer to everyone. </div><div><br /></div><div>Read our story about the journey of the <a href="https://irishboston.blogspot.com/2019/11/bostons-statue-to-robert-burns-returns.html" target="_blank">Burns statue</a> from downtown Boston to The Fens in Boston, and check out these celebrations taking place in 2024. <div><br />January 20<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/deerfieldinn">Robert Burns Night</a><br />Deerfield Inn<br />81 Old Main Street<br />Deerfield, MA<br />All of the traditional Scottish foods are on this year's menu, including haggis and clapshot, beef, lamb and venison, sticky toffee pudding and cheddar and oak cakes, followed by a toast of Kilchoman Single Malt Scotch whisky.<br /><br />January 20<br /><a href="https://www.salem.org/event/burns-night-2024-at-hamilton-hall/">Robert Burns Night</a><br />Hamilton Hall<br />9 Chestnut Street<br />Salem, MA<br />A night of poetry, dance and whisky tasting with brand ambassadors and experts. Try the haggis and enjoy the colorful Scottish traditional attire, then sit down to a delicious three-course meal. And take a chance to win a free trip to the Royal mile in Edinburgh, provided by the National Trust for Scotland.<br /><br />January 25<br /><a href="https://www.chathambarsinn.com/things-to-do/events-programming/january-25th-scottish-themed-burns-night">Chatham Bars Inn</a><br />297 Shore Road<br />Chatham, Cape Cod<br />A taste of Scotland comes to Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod. The night is seeped in Scottish traditions with Glenmorangie Scotch tastings and cocktails, traditional appetizers including haggis, neeps and tatties and Scotch eggs, bagpipe music, readings from the works of Robert Burns and more Scottish fanfare.<br /><br />January 27<br /><a href="https://highfieldhallandgardens.org/event/7th-annual-robert-burns-supper-2/">Highfield Hall & Gardens</a><br />56 Highland Drive<br />Falmouth, Cape Cod</div><div>Guests will enjoy a traditional three-course Scottish meal including a taste of haggis, toasts of whisky, storytelling, recitation of poetry, trivia and prizes, bagpipes, fiddles, and singing–all in the spirit of Scotland's national poet.<br /><br />January 25 + 27<br /><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burns-supper-2024-at-the-haven-tickets-772639514587">Burns Night at the Haven</a><br />The Haven<br />2 Perkins Street,<br />Jamaica Plain<br />Boston, MA<br />The Haven’s Burns Night includes a four-course meal of haggis, cullen skink, a single malt scotch toast, songs and poetry. Features live music and an immersive Burns experience.<br /><br />Here are more <a href="https://irishboston.org/profiles_main.php#scots">stories on Scotland and the Scots in New England</a>, compiled by the <a href="https://irishboston.org">Boston Irish Tourism Association</a>. </div></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-2803964665181038732024-01-17T13:40:00.002-05:002024-01-17T13:42:34.010-05:00Irish Language Classes Start Today at the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyteRZO9a9nlRoDtPNhzwqNQv0_uibLsPdKf6tlNAxU7XtjBBRk0M0BdVffdb-OqPZ_Jkm1AqCpvS_HdCLWoUc6k6-Kjor1K99FrE35U8hAePrgB6B4XGJvkbC-dz0Gkr2O8HOlC5lLhXiA3UWfEABQFb68vH8VoJBdv7-TexcgxLI2GtDMCwL6pFxlfz/s500/ICC%20Cumann%20na%20Gaielge.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyteRZO9a9nlRoDtPNhzwqNQv0_uibLsPdKf6tlNAxU7XtjBBRk0M0BdVffdb-OqPZ_Jkm1AqCpvS_HdCLWoUc6k6-Kjor1K99FrE35U8hAePrgB6B4XGJvkbC-dz0Gkr2O8HOlC5lLhXiA3UWfEABQFb68vH8VoJBdv7-TexcgxLI2GtDMCwL6pFxlfz/w640-h640/ICC%20Cumann%20na%20Gaielge.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>(January 17, 2024) - A brand new semester for learning the Irish language gets underway today at the <a href="https://www.irishculture.org" target="_blank">Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston</a>, with two courses being offered for beginning and intermediate learners. </p>The classes are being organized by <a href="https://cumann-na-gaeilge.org" target="_blank">Cumann na Gaeilge I mBoston</a>, a notable local organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Irish language. Both courses are taught by Pádraig Clifford.<br /><br />The classes run for 10 weeks on Wednesdays, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., with open enrollment through January. Tuition is $60 for ICC members and $120 for the general public. <br /><br />In addition to the classes, ICC is hosting a Pop Up Gaeltacht social event (Oíche Sóisialta) taking place the second Saturday of each month at the ICC Pub. <br /><br />Irish language enthusiasts have had a strong presence in greater Boston's Irish community, dating back at least to 1873 when the Philo-Celtic Society was formed as part of the Gaelic revival taking place in Ireland. The Society flourished for nearly four decades, and played a pivotal role in the city's Irish community. In 1905 the Society welcomed Gaelic League founder <a href="https://irishboston.blogspot.com/search?q=DOUGLAS+HYDE">Douglas Hyde</a> to Boston and shared with him the vibrant Irish language community here and held numerous classes, gatherings and excursions for people to interact in Irish.<br /><br /><a href="https://cumann-na-gaeilge.org/about/our-history/" target="_blank">Cumann na Gaeilge I mBoston</a> has carried on this tradition of learning, speaking and promulgating the Irish language for the past half century. The group was founded in 1973 by Dr. Frederick Rosenheim and Fr. Seán Sweeney, an S.M.A. priest from Claremorris in County Mayo. <br /><br />For more information on these and other classes in music, dance and history, please visit the <a href="https://www.irishculture.org/whats-on/classes/">Irish Cultural Centre education page</a>.<br /><br />irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-49472759325542829682024-01-12T10:42:00.005-05:002024-01-12T18:01:46.751-05:00Burren Pub Celebrates 28 Years as Boston's Iconic Traditional Irish Pub<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUfbHsg6B-0UEX9SNXqW82g6spoZuheOPNGDeDzSdHCT0OzuOvWF5rfXTOjYh5SLDJCgrZ-TfmwsTT73aZbZcygOw27Ndtmi5VIEbmLnzs3w1KFhIRhoUsB4rwX9MdAPWk8yBZk0hLFcWRs2RIGh_PKJyzHsTC4ZvSZpHmdzxswID40Ye3weZSQNKXyIG/s960/Burren%20pub%20exterior%20photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUfbHsg6B-0UEX9SNXqW82g6spoZuheOPNGDeDzSdHCT0OzuOvWF5rfXTOjYh5SLDJCgrZ-TfmwsTT73aZbZcygOw27Ndtmi5VIEbmLnzs3w1KFhIRhoUsB4rwX9MdAPWk8yBZk0hLFcWRs2RIGh_PKJyzHsTC4ZvSZpHmdzxswID40Ye3weZSQNKXyIG/w640-h480/Burren%20pub%20exterior%20photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Happy 28th anniversary to the Burren Pub and its owners, Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello! </i></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Since opening its doors on January 12, 1996, the <a href="https://www.burren.com/" target="_blank">Burren Pub</a> in Davis Square, Somerville, Massachusetts has been one of the top traditional Irish music pubs in the world for well over a quarter century! From the start, the pub nestled between Tufts University and Harvard has been a sought-after destination for music lovers who play music, aspire to play, or simply appreciate top shelf traditional Irish music. <div><br /></div><div>Over the years, Ireland's major bands such as the Chieftains, Altan, Lunasa, Da Dannan, Bono and U-2 have made a pilgrimage to the Burren to sample some of the best Irish music in North America, and to bask in an ambiance that is always welcoming, interesting and chill.<div><br /></div><div>The Burren is owned by two fine traditional musicians: fiddler Tommy McCarthy and his wife Louise Costello, a champion on the banjo and accordion. The couple met in Boston in 1986, moved back to Ireland and got married, traveled the world, and then returned to Boston in 1994. They decided to open a pub so they could play music anytime they wanted. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tommy recalls how the pub got started. “I saw an ad in the paper for a liquor license for sale in Somerville and we decided to go for it. Davis Square was all boarded up at the time, but the Somerville Theatre right down the street was ready to grow with World Music, so we took our chance. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>“My dad, a master carpenter as well as a concertina player, came out from London and helped us build the front room of the Burren, including the bar." </div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>With deep roots in traditional music in London, Clare and Galway, Tommy and Louise brought to Boston a genuine appreciation of what makes a successful Irish music pub: quality live music each night, a hearty menu, from standard fare to vegan dishes, and a fun, easygoing atmosphere that welcomes both musicians and music-lovers. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>“The Burren was an instant success from the day we opened. There was a huge draw. A year later, we opened the Back Room, with a 250 seat capacity, bringing in a whole range of rock, blues, jazz, and country bands,” Tommy says. </div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>
The pub is named for a barren expanse of Limestone rock in Ireland’s County Clare, known as the Burren. Ireland's tourism officials described the <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/regions/the-burren/" target="_blank">Burren</a> as "one of Ireland's most compelling landscapes (where) cool grey rock etched with crevices and cracks tumbles down to the wild blue Atlantic Ocean. The result is one of nature's most extraordinary phenomena: a huge rocky pavement dotted with rock formations, caves and fossils, as well as an incredible array of flowers, from native species to Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean plants."</div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>The Burren has racked up numerous awards for excellence, from Boston Magazine, Time Out, Thrillist and other publications and reader polls. It has a loyal following of locals who frequent the traditional Irish sessions, college students who come and go every four years, along with visitors and tourists who come back to the Burren every time they're in the Boston area.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a calendar of upcoming <a href="https://www.burren.com/music.html" target="_blank">music and entertainment at the Burren</a> this winter. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>(This story was updated from stories we wrote on the 15th and 25th anniversaries of the Burren Pub.)</i><br />
<div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-30810482763959743002024-01-09T16:46:00.009-05:002024-01-09T17:08:34.196-05:00Tourism Ireland's 2024 Marketing Plan Focuses on Growing Revenue, Expanding Off-Peak Tourism and Integrating Sustainabiity <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpR8x6ou50Evnno8484o8lPtfblfgsnmDcgC1oA8l9Cm9AC9JJ5eTnireIFLqaRxh9K6BiyZEBTVzk0Fzv1tUSNwITnUKmakji5mCPh_v4gBecRZ_xV0yDj2zS4GmDJNwygqIFdSoF6Bed8Og8mt7r494de1iysi7_FStZkW4nGxzp6KBmNnCLR7BroBu/s940/Tourism%20Ireland%20marketing%20plan%202024.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="940" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpR8x6ou50Evnno8484o8lPtfblfgsnmDcgC1oA8l9Cm9AC9JJ5eTnireIFLqaRxh9K6BiyZEBTVzk0Fzv1tUSNwITnUKmakji5mCPh_v4gBecRZ_xV0yDj2zS4GmDJNwygqIFdSoF6Bed8Og8mt7r494de1iysi7_FStZkW4nGxzp6KBmNnCLR7BroBu/w640-h392/Tourism%20Ireland%20marketing%20plan%202024.png" width="640" /></a></div><h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: IOI; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i>Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive Designate of Tourism Ireland; and Tourism Minister Catherine Martin, at the launch of Tourism Ireland’s 2024 marketing plan in Dublin.</i></span></h4><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">(January 9, 2024) -- <a href="https://www.tourismireland.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">Tourism Ireland</a> today presented details of its marketing strategy to promote the island of Ireland overseas in 2024, attended by Tourism Minister Catherine Martin and 550 tourism industry leaders from around the country.<br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">Ireland's marketing strategy calls for increasing tourism revenue by 5.6% for the next six years leading to 2030 and boosting the off-season revenue by 6.5%, while also integrating the tenets of sustainability across the entire tourism sector. </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">To achieve these revenue goals, Tourism Ireland has budgeted €70 million for an extensive and targeted marketing program.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">Part of that budget, said Tourism <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/biography/f5373-catherine-martin/" target="_blank">Minister Catherine Martin</a>, includes an "<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">additional funding of €10 million for overseas marketing of Ireland as a leading holiday destination."</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Minister Martin added that culture and sports in Tourism Ireland's overseas marketing communications "</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">can play an important role in helping potential visitors to envisage and appreciate some of the unique aspects of a holiday on the island of Ireland and recognize the island as a top location for sporting events."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">In addition, Minister Martin said her department is developing a new policy framework to integrate "<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">sustainability – environmental, economic and societal – across the entire tourism sector. The framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in to the future.... in a manner that is consistent with our broader sustainability targets and ensures that Ireland will be a brand leader in sustainable tourism."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">Chief Executive Designate of Tourism Ireland <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2023/05/tourism-ireland-selects-alice-mansergh.html" target="_blank">Alice Mansergh</a> said, <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">“In 2024, our aim is to increase the value of overseas tourism to the island of Ireland, sustainably supporting economies, communities and the environment....by inspiring overseas visitors and strengthening strategic partnerships. Our message is that the island of Ireland has so much to offer across regions and seasons. We will be showcasing iconic reasons to travel here, expanding people’s bucket lists from best-known spots to our hidden gems." </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">In addition, Mansergh said, 2024 "marks the 10th anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way, providing Tourism Ireland with another great hook to showcase the iconic route." </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">She cited Tourism Ireland's </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">strong partnership with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI as being instrumental in developing iconic projects and activities that are marketable overseas. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: IOI;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Ireland's potential to increase tourism in the off-peak months between October and May offers real potential to attract overseas visitors. Hotel occupancy is 88% in the summer months, but drops to 73% in the off-season, offering incredible room for growth.</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: IOI;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px;">Examples of off-peak events that can attract visitors include <a href="https://derryhalloween.com/" target="_blank">Halloween</a> in October, which originated on the island of Ireland around 2,000 years ago; the <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/magazine/culture/christmas-facts-ireland/" target="_blank">Christmas</a> and holiday season, when Ireland shares its storied holiday traditions, foods and festivities; <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2024/01/dublins-tradfest-presents-top-folk-and.html" target="_blank">TradFest</a> in January, a dazzling display of top Irish and folk music; the <a href="https://irishmassachusetts.blogspot.com/2023/12/winter-festival-celebrates-irelands.html" target="_blank">Brigid Festival</a> in February in Kildare, an 11-day celebration of music, cuisine, art and spirituality honoring </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: IOI;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px;">St. Brigid, matron saint of Ireland, and finally, the <a href="https://stpatricksfestival.ie/" target="_blank">St. Patrick's Day Parade Festival</a> in Dublin each March, which draws participants from around the world.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"></em></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">Tourism Ireland officials say the marketing strategy will "focus on tourists with ‘value adding tourism traits,' in other words, people who have funds to travel, who prize memorable experiences and tend to travel around regions and across seasons." </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">Following the marketing presentation in Dublin on January 9, Tourism Ireland travels to Belfast for a presentation on January 11, 2024. </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: IOI; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.tourismireland.com/about-us" target="_blank">Tourism Ireland</a> is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination. It was established as one of the "six areas of co-operation" under the framework of the Belfast Agreement of Good Friday 1998. </p>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-55904172840876958372024-01-05T16:13:00.003-05:002024-01-08T16:22:53.398-05:00Aer Lingus New Year's Sale: Boston, Massachusetts to Dublin and Shannon, Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CsvnHfrz9OKKTFgY0aSoxx3RDpMQsyB2uoFh9C6mxQmTCxeRk5fWi-p-B1ESP8DEYs-Brv79EXYvp_dk9ZtF961hJADkGf5kcK5bn-hTWz8y7Ap-p2SCUL7_9w7lKeJWhMlo2Os0wQ5_Qdu0xzZl8oI45NImdiwwlick1jo4ZShLVLhEx2WX11iGJ_cU/s600/aer-lingus-blog1%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CsvnHfrz9OKKTFgY0aSoxx3RDpMQsyB2uoFh9C6mxQmTCxeRk5fWi-p-B1ESP8DEYs-Brv79EXYvp_dk9ZtF961hJADkGf5kcK5bn-hTWz8y7Ap-p2SCUL7_9w7lKeJWhMlo2Os0wQ5_Qdu0xzZl8oI45NImdiwwlick1jo4ZShLVLhEx2WX11iGJ_cU/w640-h402/aer-lingus-blog1%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Aer Lingus, Ireland's national airline carrier, has a special <b>New Year Sale</b> for traveling from Boston Logan International Airport to Dublin International Airport and Shannon International Airport in Ireland. <div><br /></div><div>Travelers who make reservations between now and January 18, 2024, get the following discounts: <br /><div><br /></div><div>For travel between February 1 and March 31, 2024, round-trip air fares start at $369, including taxes.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>For travel between April 1 and May 31, 2004, round-trip air fares start at $469, including taxes.<br /><br /> <a href="https://www.aerlingus.com/en-us/new-year-europe-sale?utm_source=bos_partners&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lh_us_to_eur_202401&utm_content=lh_us_to_eur_202401_bos_partners " target="_blank">Use this link for the discount</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please note certain restrictions apply. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aer Lingus has been flying to and from Boston since October 5, 1958. Read about the<a href="https://irishboston.blogspot.com/2024/01/aer-lingus-makes-boston-irish-connection.html"> historic first flight</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341545354599990149.post-10117703832988292472024-01-03T11:37:00.008-05:002024-01-03T11:54:39.096-05:00Dublin's TradFest Presents Top Folk and Traditional Musicians, Singers and Dancers, January 24-28, 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46RKFCkuqh3Mzd6OrtPjhWklrxQTTbJ2rzUjuWi4FUMUwalrbCEj2dRqv0h04iKqnE8B9CWgzk4yv2ee8ZNXRxNU_q_B0K2Ix-PAPFrh2vQfNrUL_vBrPnZ641EPrjqMNJdmcow30VdLYBGLKcM8d9mLsabngMTMjaHxbGkJPoPvQwl2zJq2kPrWR_AjA/s2000/Tradfest%202024%20logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46RKFCkuqh3Mzd6OrtPjhWklrxQTTbJ2rzUjuWi4FUMUwalrbCEj2dRqv0h04iKqnE8B9CWgzk4yv2ee8ZNXRxNU_q_B0K2Ix-PAPFrh2vQfNrUL_vBrPnZ641EPrjqMNJdmcow30VdLYBGLKcM8d9mLsabngMTMjaHxbGkJPoPvQwl2zJq2kPrWR_AjA/w640-h640/Tradfest%202024%20logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Looking for an excuse to hop over to <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/" target="_blank">Ireland</a> this winter? Then check out the 19th annual <a href="https://tradfest.com/">TradFest</a> in Dublin, on January 24-28, 2024, where the world’s best traditional musicians and singers converge for an amazing display of live performance. <br /><br />This year’s lineup includes singers Janis Ian, Mary Black and Aoife O'Donovan, banjo maestros Gerry O'Connor and Alison Brown, Galician piper Carlos Nuñez and uilleann pipers Paddy Keenan, Louise Mulcahy and Tara Howley and more. In all, 100+ Irish artists and international performers at dozens of events in cultural venues across the city.</div><div><br />Festival Director Kieran Hanrahan calls TradFest “a glorious celebration of our culture and traditions. It is an expression of new development and innovation in the music and song of Ireland. It’s a platform for the established and the abundant emerging talent in some of Dublin’s most iconic and historic settings, where both the artist and the listener are very much at ease."<br /><br />Since its modest beginnings in 2005 as a small music gathering in Dublin's Temple Bar district, TradFest has evolved into Ireland’s biggest festival of traditional music without losing its intimate feel. While featuring the best of traditional Irish music, the festival also includes folk, alt-folk, jazz, hip hop and world music, delighting purists and the curious alike.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPRx3lJOcUeJ3skyTPe2j4dJUYHqYs5wzblyyx7rSgr-5DksEoFVC_8m52uyfeCi7aQlLndteEi2-tJQmkmypeBexywDuaDNlTG7K3YkWdeoAnnncbLU8g9ZDfiZWPj9KaC1Ne2XRd_7NK3fwpWMicg92VgySV8Doxzw65pDtAcnms4YGZqOVERrxbZia/s1985/cropped_Women%20at%20TradFest.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1985" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPRx3lJOcUeJ3skyTPe2j4dJUYHqYs5wzblyyx7rSgr-5DksEoFVC_8m52uyfeCi7aQlLndteEi2-tJQmkmypeBexywDuaDNlTG7K3YkWdeoAnnncbLU8g9ZDfiZWPj9KaC1Ne2XRd_7NK3fwpWMicg92VgySV8Doxzw65pDtAcnms4YGZqOVERrxbZia/w640-h372/cropped_Women%20at%20TradFest.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>TradFest concert from 2023</i></div><div><br />One of the most popular segments in recent years is <a href="https://tradfest.com/events/women-of-note-2/">Women of Note</a>, taking place this year on January 24 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the heart of the city. Curated and presented by Aoife Scott, this year’s line-up includes Frances Black, Kaia Kater and Katherine Priddy among others. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhul7a0k5gE2KcUIaxoTAkJKC7kOCd1HzPkm9Ori6P3MnM7tyKXeBlZudo_xMpiSrso5coWUtFIvrSlDZcXzdSpYNzlLqiTbcql0TXL3GfTao9VRRCmIlnanqafg9S8oMrbssLKNK5jKXIZZQvIEiEP3T0q-ryLwdzLsSdyr5bLTTKkkg7UGIl9fd9Cz0BV/s2560/Janis%20Ian.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1710" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhul7a0k5gE2KcUIaxoTAkJKC7kOCd1HzPkm9Ori6P3MnM7tyKXeBlZudo_xMpiSrso5coWUtFIvrSlDZcXzdSpYNzlLqiTbcql0TXL3GfTao9VRRCmIlnanqafg9S8oMrbssLKNK5jKXIZZQvIEiEP3T0q-ryLwdzLsSdyr5bLTTKkkg7UGIl9fd9Cz0BV/w428-h640/Janis%20Ian.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Janis Ian</i></div><br />A real highlight for traditional music fans is native Dubliner <a href="https://tradfest.com/events/paddy-keenan-and-guests/">Paddy Keenan</a> performing on January 24 at Dublin Castle. A founding member of the Bothy Band, Keenan has enjoyed a successful solo career as one of his generation’s greatest pipers. </div><div><br /></div><div>On January 25, American singer/songwriter <a href="https://tradfest.com/events/in-conversation-with-janis-ian/">Janis Ian</a> give an exclusive live interview at the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre in Fingal. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcScM9Kc-E50ZAv0PwB4HewkCC0_cg4Em162nxMof1GdE-8OL_WKW2nCvRrXDkvKTnO_XDnxSffH81X2cat6dUoC88rA_cxvaZohPzbk-Z1G_C6Hg4IeB85SizeZLBal39P71zoASgHa6ZS-8VB6enH9LIvOTeyoimdGU2AQQ_ekf3t7gNVbFvGXLavUQ/s720/aoife%20o'donovan.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcScM9Kc-E50ZAv0PwB4HewkCC0_cg4Em162nxMof1GdE-8OL_WKW2nCvRrXDkvKTnO_XDnxSffH81X2cat6dUoC88rA_cxvaZohPzbk-Z1G_C6Hg4IeB85SizeZLBal39P71zoASgHa6ZS-8VB6enH9LIvOTeyoimdGU2AQQ_ekf3t7gNVbFvGXLavUQ/s320/aoife%20o'donovan.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Aoife O'Donovan</i></div><div><br /></div><div>And on January 27, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan presents a remarkable <a href="https://tradfest.com/events/mairead-ni-mhaonaightransatlantic-women/" target="_blank">Trans Atlantic Women</a> concert featuring women in traditional and folk music from both sides of the Atlantic. Artists include American banjoist Alison Brown, singer Aoife O’Donovan of Boston, fiddler Eileen Ivers of New York, The Friel Sisters of Donegal and dancer Edwina Guckian of Leitrim. This captivating event will unfold at the historic National Stadium in Dublin, promising an exceptionally wonderful night that you won’t want to miss!<br /><br />Still centered along the cobblestoned streets of Temple Bar, TradFest continues to expand its presence at landmark venues in Dublin. <br /><br />In addition to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, concerts are held at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks and Dublin Castle, and new venues added this year include the Abbey Theatre, the National Theatre of Ireland and the General Post Office, famously used as a headquarters by the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. See list of <a href="https://tradfest.com/whats-on/venues/">venues</a>.<br /><br />Alongside these ticketed events, the pubs and streets of Temple Bar are filled with musicians and dancers playing in sessions, busking and being part of the incredible TradFest vibe.<br /><br /><div>For information about visiting Ireland in January or any time of year, go to <a href="https://www.ireland.com/en-us/">ireland.com</a></div></div>irishboston.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318913501694126116noreply@blogger.com0