February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The tradition dates to March 17, 1737, when some Ulster Presbyterians formed the Charitable Irish Society in Boston to assist their fellow countrymen in the Bay Colony. The Society continues to flourish, and so does the Irish community here.
Today, 23 percent of the state?s residents claim Irish ancestry, making it, according to the 2000 Census, the most Irish state in the U.S. There is a vibrant Irish scene year round, but most notably in March, when the entire state seemingly gears up to celebrate St. Patrick?s Day.
Here is an overview of Irish activities and organizations:
IRISH ROOTS
Tracing family history is one of America?s favorite pastimes, and since so many Irish immigrants came through Boston Harbor, Massachusetts is a great place to dig through old documents and records. On March 17 and 20 at 10 a.m., the New England Historic Genealogical Society will hold workshops at 101 Newbury St. in Boston ([617] 536-5740) on how to start your family history project, with Marie Daly being the resident Irish expert. The Irish Ancestral Research Association, meanwhile, holds monthly meetings at Boston College to discuss local genealogical topics. Also, the Boston Irish Tourism Association has just released a 24-page genealogy guide, ?Finding Your Irish Roots in Massachusetts,? which lists more than 80 resources for building your family tree. You can pick up a copy along the Massachusetts Turnpike rest stops or order a copy at www.irishmassachusetts.com
IRISH CULTURAL CENTRE
On a 46-acre campus in Canton, south of Boston, the Irish Cultural Centre of New England has emerged as the region?s leading purveyor of Irish culture, sports, literature and music. The Centre will host an Irish Cultural Fair on Saturday, March 13, from noon to 5 p.m., featuring a student competition and family activities. On Sunday, March 14, at 4 p.m. the Dublin City Ramblers perform their special blend of pub songs, love songs and stories, while Aine Minogue discusses the Irish Harp on March 26 at 8 p.m. The Centre will offer group lessons in the tin whistle and Gaelic language this spring, and hold regular sessions Friday evenings. This year the ICC moves its popular Irish Festival from Stonehill College to the Centre on June 11-13. For a full schedule of activities for this group, visit www.irishculture.org.
MUSIC
?Musicians love to play in the Boston area, because the audiences are so knowledgeable and the sessions are top notch,? said Seamus Connolly, an Irish fiddle master who teaches at Boston College, where he has run the popular Gaelic Roots program for the last 10 years. Connolly himself plays a special concert at the new Springstep Performance Center ([781] 395-0402) in Medford on Saturday, March 13, at 8 p.m. The Irish Tenors perform on Sunday, March 14, at 8 p.m. at Boston?s Orpheum Theater ([617] 228-6000), and the Dublin City Ramblers play at the Irish Cultural Centre at 4 p.m. ([781] 821-8296).
Also, on Saturday, March 20, at 7 p.m. the Canadian Celtic pop band Great Big Sea plays at Avalon Nightclub in Boston ([617] 262-2424). And cabaret star Tony Kenny plays at Mattacheese Middle School in West Yarmouth, Cape Cod, on Saturday, March 27, and at the Performing Arts Center ([508] 747-7904) in Stoughton on Sunday, March 28.
EXHIBITS
The Heritage State Park in Lawrence boasts a month-long exhibition on Irish Immigration. The exhibit is free to the public ([978] 794-1655). Lorica Artworks in Andover has a month-long exhibit of painters from Northern Ireland such as Pat Crowley, Mary Christie, and Betty Jean Billups. The opening reception is on Friday, March 12, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ([978] 470-1829).
Also, the Aisling Gallery in Hingham?s display of paintings includes works by Vincent Crotty, whose paintings appeared in the movie ?Mystic River? ([781] 749-0555). The John F. Kennedy Library & Museum ([877] 616 4599) currently has the Caroline Kennedy Doll Collection on display, and has many items from the president?s Irish collection.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Flanagans Wake, an interactive comedy out of Chicago, is at Off Broadway Theatre ([617] 267-9022) in Davis Square, Somerville, throughout March. On Friday, March 12, at 7 p.m. the acclaimed Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums holds its annual dinner dance at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Back Bay ([617] 325-5659). That same evening the American Ireland Fund gathers at the Fairmont Copley Plaza starting at 7 ([617] 574-0720).
On Sunday, March 14, at 3 p.m. the Irish Immigration Center presents ?Immigration Struggles Past and Present? at the Blarney Stone in Dorchester. The event features live music, refreshments and speeches.
On Tuesday, March 16, at 5 p.m. the Sixth annual Candlelight Vigil takes place at Boston Irish Famine Memorial Park, where participants remember An Gorta Mor and those who are hungry in the world today ([781] 749-9999). On March 17 the Irish American Partnership holds its annual breakfast at the Park Plaza Hotel at 8. The guest speaker is Mary Hanafin, T.D., Ireland?s minister of state ([800] 722-3893).
On the evening of March 17, the Charitable Irish Society holds its 267th anniversary dinner at the Seaport Hotel on Boston?s waterfront starting at 6.
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PARADES
St. Patrick?s Day parades throughout the state are all hoping for bright weather. Parades in Worchester ([508] 755-1955) and Lawrence ([978] 688-9295) will take place on March 14. The South Boston Parade ([617] 725-4000) moves to March 21 and this year celebrates the 200th anniversary of South Boston.
South of Boston, Abington ([781] 878-7755) and Scituate ([781] 545-6671) parades will both be held on March 21, as will the Holyoke Parade ([413] 533-1700) in Western Massachusetts. You can get more details on times and start locations by visiting www.irishmassachusetts.com/parades.htm.
SPEAKERS
Sinn Fein leader Martin McGuinness visits Boston on Thursday, March 11, at 6 p.m. for reception at the Omni Parker House in Boston, followed at 8 by a community event at Florian Hall in Dorchester, both hosted by the Friends of Sinn Fein. The following day McGuinness will speak at Harvard University?s JFK School of Government at 4 p.m. His topic: ?Will the British Ever Keep Faith?? ([617] 723-3374).
On March 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Heritage State Park, author Dr. Rodney Owens will lecture on ?Young James Joyce,? followed by Irish poetry readings by members of the Robert Frost Foundation. The event is free ([978] 794-1655). On March 28 at 2 p.m. Dr. Ruth Ann Harris presents a free lecture on ?Irish Immigration to America? at the Lawrence Public Library, as part of the White Fund Lecture Series ([978] 794-5786).
On March 30 at 4 p.m. Dr. Garret FitzGerald, former Irish taoiseach, lectures on ?Catholicism, the Gaelic Revival and the New State, 1922-1949? at Boston College ([617] 552-3938).
HERITAGE
With the Democratic National Convention coming to Boston this July, now is a good time to acquaint yourself with the city?s political pantheon of mayors, governors and assorted Kennedys. You can take a self-guided tour of Boston?s Irish Heritage Trail, which features Irish-born mayors Hugh O?Brien and Patrick Collins, Irish-American mayors like John ?Honey Fitz? Fitzgerald and James Michael Curley, President John F. Kennedy and many others. You can pick up a free map at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center, or by visiting www.irishheritagetrail.com, where you can order it by mail.