Spring 2026 Greetings!

Let’s face it, we need spring to arrive in New England sooner than later. We need greenery in our lives, no more snow, no more ice, no more tundra. Thankfully we’ll have our wish, now that our favorite rite of spring, St. Patrick’s Day season has arrived, a sure harbinger of warmer days ahead. 

In this issue, you’ll find dozens of Irish and Celtic-themed cultural events, concerts, dancing, theater and parades on display throughout March and well into spring. Irish dance fans get to see Riverdance in Lowell and Dancing with the Celts in Medford. Music lovers can hear topflight traditional performers such as Solas, High Kings, Paul Byrom, Runa, Celtic Woman, The Murphy Beds and Téada, and don’t miss stand-up comedians Colin Quinn, David Nihill and Jarlath Regan as well.  

Preserving, celebrating and appreciating ethnic culture and heritage is a hallmark of America, not in a parochial way, but with openness and largesse for everyone to enjoy. America’s cultural richness includes a pastiche of immigrant cultural traditions from all over the world, and we value being part of that rich tapestry. 

We are proud to represent the region’s Irish-American community over the past 25 years, sharing our online and printed literature with tourists, conventioneers, travelers, school groups and residents, and also with our colleagues in other ethnic communities in greater Boston. 

As part of America 250 celebrations taking place this year, we have compiled a Revolutionary Boston Irish Trail of local landmarks that shed light on the Irish and Scots-Irish contributions to the American Revolution. We’ll be unveiling the Trail online at irishboston.org in the months ahead and welcome your feedback. 

Speaking of contributions, shout-out to local organizations who represent what is best about Ireland and its Diaspora: The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston, Irish American Partnership, Charitable Irish Society, Irish Pastoral Centre, Mná Mheiriceá, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Holyoke Parade and so many more. And thanks to the JFK Library in Boston and JFK Museum in Hyannis for keeping the eternal flame of President John F. Kennedy alive.

We are grateful to work with the travel and tourism industry in this issue to promote New England culture and travel to Ireland, especially Tourism Ireland, Meet Boston, Massport, MBTA, Mass Convention Center Authority, Discover Quincy, Revolutionary Valley CVB and Discover Central Massachusetts. We value your partnership every step of the journey.

When is the perfect time to visit the island of Ireland you ask? Any time, actually, but let’s start with this spring! We’ve outlined some springtime events in our Ireland section, from St. Patrick’s Day festivities to music, literary and food festivals that will whet your appetite for Ireland. Our tour partners – Kelturas, Brack and Cara – have put together great itineraries for experiencing Ireland up close and personal.

We’re particularly excited to share Ireland’s culinary accolades reaching across the globe in 2026. From Michelin star restaurants, country inns and perfect pubs to farmers markets and food festivals, Ireland will whet your appetite with its abundance of healthy, tasty food offerings on your next vacation.

For now, we hope you enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day season and springtime wherever you find yourself. Here’s to a fun and rewarding journey ahead.

Colette and Michael Quinlin
Boston Irish Tourism Association