Celtic Culture in New England

Thanks to the region’s high concentration of residents boasting Irish roots going back generations, Irish culture sparkles all year round in New England. Add in the vibrant Scottish and Canadian Maritime communities, and you can experience a rich offering of Celtic traditions and sensibilities anywhere you go.

That Irish presence reaches a joyous crescendo each March when New England turns green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Irish-American Heritage Month. Outdoor parades and indoor celebrations, museum displays and religious traditions, heritage walks and 5K races are all part of the region’s St. Patrick’s Day line-up. And since performing arts are a central part of Irish culture, expect to find plenty of live music, dance, theater and comedy. We’ve compiled some recommendations here of live Irish performances you don’t want to miss.

Dance

On March 2-4, Riverdance performs at the Lowell Auditorium in Lowell. The storied dance extravaganza celebrates its 30th anniversary as one of the world’s most beloved dance shows, featuring dazzling dance displays including Irish step dancing, flamingo and tap! Then get ready for Dancing with the Celts, coming to The Chevalier Theatre in Medford on March 13. Featuring the finest musicians and dancers from Ireland and Nashville, Tennessee, Dancing with the Celts combines two amazing folk traditions that have common roots going back centuries.

On Monday nights, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann offers set dancing at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton with instructor Cait Bracken. On Tuesday nights, the Comhaltas set dancing shifts to the Canadian American Club in Watertown, with instructors Barbara Boyd & Alanna Callendrello.

Music

In March, some of Ireland’s most popular musical acts are playing concert halls, cultural venues, museums, and pubs and restaurants, alongside amazing American-based performers.

The St. Patrick’s Day season kicks off with Lúnasa at Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI for two shows on February 22, followed by Solas, considered to be the most influential Irish-American trad bands ever assembled, performing on March 1 at Groton Hill in Groton, MA.

On March 7, clawhammer banjo pioneer Ken Perlman offers five-string banjo workshops at Blackstone River Theatre. On March 7, Irish harpist Áine Minogue performs at Wellfleet Preservation Hall on Cape Cod, then on March 15 at the Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester.

On March 8, Irish vocalist Paul Byrom, formerly of Celtic Thunder, returns to the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, while Glasgow-based quintet Ímar plays at Blackstone River Theatre. If you’re in Worcester on March 8, check out the afternoon monthly traditional music session at the Hibernian Cultural Centre.

On St. Patrick’s Day weekend, March 14-15, the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton has a fun-packed schedule featuring breakfast and lunch buffets, children’s activities including face painting, arts and crafts, vendors and gift shops, and continuous Irish music and dancing. If you are looking to experience Irish culture in an authentic and natural setting, this is a perfect setting.

On Saturday, March 14, music lovers have a choice to see Runa at Blackstone River Theatre, Rose Clancy Trio at South Harwich Meeting House on Cape Cod and The High Kings at Chevalier Theatre in Medford.

On Sunday, March 15, Groton Hill presents its Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Hosts Katie McNally and Neil Pearlman are joined by fiddlers Nathan Gourley and Laura Feddersen and by folk duo The Murphy Beds, featuring Eamon O’Leary and Jefferson Hamer, and innovative dancer Nic Gareiss. Also on the 15^th, The High Kings perform at Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth, MA.

Live concerts continue March 20 when Dervish performs at the Shalin Liu Center in Rockport, while singer/songwriter Sina Theil plays at the Irish Cultural Centre.

On March 21-22, Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge hosts its Annual Celtic Celebration, featuring fiddle contests, bagpipe displays, Irish poetry and stories, and presentations on local Irish history and heritage.

Also on March 22, Rose Clancy and Max Cohen perform at the Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis.

Blackstone River Theatre brings the month to a glorious conclusion when traditional band Téada, celebrating its 25^th year, journeys from Ireland to perform on March 22, followed by Irish harpist Lily Neill and guitar master Clive Carroll on March 28, and finally, Macdara Yeates with Torrin Ryan & Amy Law on March 29.

Theater & Comedy

Through March 1, Lyric Stage of Boston presents Penelope, chronicling the wife of Greek legend Odysseus. Actress Aimee Doherty plays the lead role of Penelope with her characteristic grace, humor and aplomb. On March 20, the Lyric presents Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous, based around the staging of playwright August Wilson’s monologues spoken from a female perspective and performed entirely in the nude.

On March 7, Hanover Theatre in Worcester welcomes stand-up comedian, actor and author Colin Quinn to Tuckerman Hall. The Brooklyn native is renowned for his unapologetic, unfiltered and uproarious quips about our world.

On March 7, Irish comedian David Nihill returns to The Wilbur Theatre in Boston with his “Taking Tangents” Comedy Tour. The Dublin native has performed in 12 countries, sharing his hilarious insights on immigrants, drinking and other cultural observations.

Find a full list of calendar events at irishboston.org/events.