Irish Rebel John Boyle O’Reilly Helped Establish the Boston Athletic Association in 1887

The famous Boston Athletic Association (BAA) was founded in the late19th century by an unlikely coalition of leading Boston Brahmins and a famous Irish rebel, John Boyle O’Reilly (1844-90).   The BAA was created at a time when amateur sports were increasingly popular across the United States.  There were many collegiate teams in greater Boston and numerous small associations, but the…

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See Plymouth in Full Bloom

Massasoit statue overlooking plymouth rock & plymouth harbor

Situated along the Atlantic Ocean between Boston and Cape Cod, Plymouth is a treasure trove of history, culture, cuisine and natural beauty.  Iconic landmarks such as Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II ship, Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Pilgrim Hall Museum immerse visitors in the 17th century story of the Wampanoag Native People who lived here for centuries…

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Massachusetts Celebrates National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025

In celebration of National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025, here is an overview of public, academic and private libraries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Massachusetts has 370+ public libraries and 1,400 academic and specialized libraries, including nine library networks that provide the library catalog, the ability to borrow from neighboring libraries, circulation, patron registration, public Internet access and…

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Riverdance 30: The New Generation

Riverdance Heartland Kick Line

For the past 30 years, generations of girls and boys have taken up Irish step dancing, thanks to Riverdance, one of the world’s most acclaimed theatrical shows.  Riverdance 30 – The New Generation, returns to the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston for eight performances from April 8 – 13, 2025.  It was 30 years…

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Boston’s Omni Parker House: A Legend is Reborn

The reimagined Omni Parker House, one of America’s most beloved icons, is being unveiled this summer leading up to the historic hotel’s 170th anniversary. Located in the heart of downtown Boston, the Omni Parker House is an unwavering testament to the city’s storied past. With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to preserving its legacy, the Boston landmark is…

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Meet Boston in Springtime

George Washington statue and flowers

This spring, take some time to Meet Boston, a beautiful American city that unleashes a pastiche of color, brightness and brilliance from April to June, when the city comes alive with special events that draw visitors from around the world. So many iconic Boston events happen during this season, including Red Sox opening day at…

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Dan Coll of the Union Oyster House Wins Annual Oyster Shucking Competition at this Year’s Seafood Expo in Boston

Dan Coll Union Oyster House Boston, MA

Congratulations to Dan Coll of Boston’s famous Union Oyster House, who was declared the winner of the 17th Annual Oyster Shucking Competition at the Seafood Expo North America conference. The highly anticipated competition took place on March 17, 2025 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the city’s Seaport District, where the Expo holds its annual…

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Nine Irish Women Writers of Distinction in Boston

The post-Famine generation of Irish women in Boston and New England were typically relegated to jobs as domestic servants, nursemaids and mill workers, before eventually being accepted as shop clerks, nurses and teachers.  This work was often in addition to their primary role running households as wives and mothers.  The young Irish girls of the Famine…

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Fiddler Aoife Griffin

Aoife Griffin, newly-appointed Director of the Boston Comhaltas Irish Music School, is a highly-regarded fiddle player who is making an impact on the Boston Irish music scene since moving here in 2021. We caught up with Aoife to find out more. Tell us about your background I am a traditional Irish fiddle player from County…

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Logan Airport Travel Playbook

Logan Airport Passenger

Start your travel off right by getting to Boston Logan International Airport with a plan! Massport has put together this handy Travel Playbook to make your trip smooth and enjoyable.  Getting to the Airport  For a comfortable and convenient ride to Logan, leave your car at home and take the Logan Express bus, the MBTA…

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Big or Small, MCCA Does It All

MCCA Lawn

Whether you are traveling across the globe for an international conference in Boston or driving across town to an annual community banquet, you’ll always get a first-class welcome from Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, whose world-class venues in Boston and Springfield, MA are designed for every type of group, big and small.  State-of-the-art facilities and great…

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Welcome to the JFK Library

JFK Library

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum is one of Boston’s most popular destinations, and welcomes local residents, school classes, convention groups and visitors from around the world to come and be inspired. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the JFK Library sits on a 10-acre site overlooking Boston…

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It’s Easy Being Green in Central MA

Worcester common in spring

Visitors to Central Massachusetts can think green when they come to this beautiful region this spring. The St. Patrick’s Day festivities each March bring out 40 shades of green as the city celebrates its Irish community with vibrant cultural celebrations. And the coming of spring brings a verdant splendor to the region’s 32 cities and…

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North of Boston – A Natural Wonder

Boy looks at horseback riders on a beach north of Boston

Essex County, just North of Boston, is a magical destination with miles of pristine beaches and fishing villages, two national parks and a national wildlife refuge, plus a stunning New England landscape stretching across 34 distinctive cities and towns. It’s a place of cultural richness, storied history, warm hospitality and some of the best seafood…

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Tourism Group is Adding New Landmarks to Boston’s Irish Heritage Trail

The Boston Irish Heritage Trail, a three mile walk covering 20 public landmarks and depicting three centuries of Irish-American history, is expanding to include more sites in 2025. Stretching from the city’s waterfront through downtown and Back Bay and over to Fenway Park, the Irish Heritage Trail features some of Boston’s finest public art and…

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Boston Tourism Group releases Spring Issue of Travel & Culture Magazine

Spring 2025 issue of Travel & Culture magazine

The Boston Irish Tourism Association released its Annual Spring 2025 Travel & Culture magazine today, highlighting New England’s robust St. Patrick’s Day and spring season, plus travel ideas for visiting Ireland this year. The 48 page magazine is available for free at visitor centers and cultural venues in greater Boston and throughout New England, and is also available in digital form…

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Historic Omni Parker House

Boston Cream Pie

The Omni Parker House has been a timeless icon in the city of Boston since 1855, quickly becoming part of the city’s very fabric. In the 19th century it was a gathering place for literary geniuses such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Charles Dickens.  In the 20th century, Irish-American politicians such as James M. Curley…

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