In 2025, Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA) celebrates its 25th anniversary as a distinctive cultural tourism organization that promotes culture…
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A cool way to experience Ireland is to ‘settle yourself,’ a common Irish phrase that means to get your bearings…
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Did you know that Irish immigrants played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War? From Commodore John Barry and General John Sullivan to Boston Massacre victim Patrick Carr and the Scots-Irish who fought at Bunker Hill, the Irish were everywhere during the quest for independence. The Boston Irish Heritage Trail gives a fascinating overview of Irish landmarks…
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Congratulations to Niall Gibbons, who is stepping down from his position as CEO of Tourism Ireland in March 2023, after a distinguished 21 year career that included fourteen years as chief executive officer. Under Gibbons’ leadership, Ireland has been deftly marketed and branded as a prime destination for visitors not just from the North America market…
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Considered one of America’s great places to visit, Boston is steeped in riveting history and robust culture. Full of distinctive neighborhoods, college campuses and international cuisines, every step you take in Boston brings a new adventure and a thrilling discovery. The Walking City Boston’s natural beauty is enticing, especially in spring, when the city undergoes an environmental…
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New England is fortunate to have a vibrant sporting scene, ranging from our professional sports teams and collegiate programs to plenty of grass roots and seasonal sports. Let’s start with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), which formed in Ireland in the late 19th century to perpetuate the country’s ancient games such as hurling, camogie and…
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On March 5,1770, British troops fired into a crowd of Bostonians; four people were killed and a fifth victim died a few days later. Irishman Patrick Carr was one of five people shot to death in front of the Old State House on State Street on March 5, 1870 after a scuffle between colonists and…
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Hailed as one of the best Irish parades in America, the annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade offers an extraordinary display of pageantry and fun each year, as thousands of marchers and hundreds of thousands of spectators line the streets of the city to celebrate Irish heritage, the arrival of spring, and the community spirit that makes…
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From humble beginnings back in 2005, the annual Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade has steadily become a favorite activity for New Englanders celebrating Irish Heritage Month each March. It was initially organized by local Irish groups such as the Sons of Erin and Cape Cod Irish Village, and over time the parade has welcomed numerous local businesses,…
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Micky Ward In putting down on paper the story of his hardscrabble life, Lowell boxer Micky Ward tells a tale of glorious victories punctuated by heart-breaking defeats, both in and out of the ring. It’s a story that could have ended badly, but it did not, thanks to the tremendous courage and character that is…
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Newport, RI, a magical year-round vacation destination, comes alive each March as the city celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and Irish Heritage Month. And no wonder: Rhode Island ranks 3rd in the nation in percentage of residents claiming Irish ancestry at 17.9%, according to the U.S. Census. Newport’s Irish connections date back to the 18th century,…
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Chris Matthews Political pundit and talk show host Chris Matthews has written an engaging biography of John F. Kennedy. Widely known as a gabber, Matthew is also a gifted writer and story-teller, perhaps inspired by his old boss, Tip O’Neill. Matthew traces JFK’s ability to judge character and to make tough decisions, even when it…
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For 18 days in the summer of 1872, Boston was the musical center of the universe, the City on a Hill that inspired the world. Boston was the setting for the World Peace Jubilee and International Music Festival, said to be the largest concert in the history of the world. It started on June 17,…
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Foreword by Caroline Kennedy Within months of President John F. Kennedy death, Robert F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy agreed to proceed with a scheduled oral history project to give future generations a glimpse of President Kennedy and his White House years. The seven interviews with Mrs. Kennedy, which began in March 1964, were conducted by…
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David McCullough American historian David McCullough has written a compelling story about Americans who moved to Paris, France in the 19th century, seeking inspiration and experience in one of the world’s great cities. They included Oliver Wendell Holmes, Charles Sumner and Harriet Beecher Stowe. McCullourh profiles two artists with Boston Irish roots – painter George…
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Webb Garrison When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Matthew Brady, already an acclaimed New York photographer, wrote to President Abraham Lincoln and received permission to photograph the entire war. Along with his assistants Timothy O’Sullivan, Alexander Gardner, and others, Brady spent four years in the rough and ready camps and battlegrounds, documenting the fighting…
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The highly-acclaimed and ever-popular TradFest Temple Bar returns to Dublin from January 25-29, 2023 with more than 100 Irish artists and international performers at 85 events in cultural venues across the city. Now in its 18th season, 2023 TradFest offers a perfect balance between seasoned traditional legends and brilliant young artists at the start of…
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Michael Joyce, an Irish immigrant from Galway who was a central figure at the Mass State House in helping immigrants secure visas, jobs and education, is having a park in his honor at Marine Park in South Boston. This week, a groundbreaking took place with state officials and family and friends. The $1.4 million playground…
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(November 5, 2022) – ‘Remember the Ladies’ was the theme in the City of Quincy today as city, state and federal officials gathered alongside historians, educators and local residents to unveil the new statue of Abigail Adams at the Hancock Adams Common. Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch was joined onstage by US Congressman Steven Lynch…
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James Michael Curley was born on November 20, 1874 on Northampton Street in Roxbury to Irish immigrant parents Michael Curley and Sarah Clancy from County Galway. A dominant figure in Boston and Massachusetts politics for half a century, Curley served four four-year terms as mayor of Boston, in 1914, 1922, 1930 and 1946. He was Governor of Massachusetts from…
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A journey to Newport, RI is a magical experience any time of year: winter, spring, summer or fall. This stunning coastal city overlooks Newport Harbor, Rhode Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, with breathtakingly beautiful seascapes and landscapes that stop you in your tracks. The downtown streets are lined with art galleries and museums, amazing…
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For a relatively small island, Ireland boasts an amazing abundance of 30,000+ castles and ruins for visitors to explore and enjoy. They range from splendid medieval masterpieces with luxury accommodations to medium castles full of history and heritage, as well as smaller castles dotting the landscape. These castles are part of an illustrious heritage and…
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On a string of Saturdays stretching back years and now decades, Brian O’Donovan’s soothing radio voice has been welcomed in households, cars and earphones around New England, and streaming across the globe. A native of Clonakilty, West Cork, Brian moved to Boston in 1980. He has since become an authority, ambassador and champion of Celtic…
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Of course, we all know that Ireland is magical in the summer and fall, but here’s a little secret: With its temperate climate, Ireland is equally enchanting, inviting and fun in winter and spring too! The off-peak season in Ireland – roughly November to February – is a perfect time to visit. For starters, the…
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Central Burying Ground on Boston Common, Fall 2022 Tucked away in a shady plot at the corner of Tremont and Boylston Street on Boston Common is the Central Burying Ground, cemetery established in 1756 as Boston’s fourth cemetery. It was originally called the South Burying Ground, and was used to bury foreigners, strangers, indigents and soldiers….
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Battle between USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere, 19 August 1812, by Michel Felice Corne Courtesy U.S. Navy – Naval History and Heritage Command, 80-G-K-26254 America’s oldest commissioned ship, the USS Constitution, was first launched on October 21, 1797, and is berthed in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The USS Constitution is operated by the US Navy, a partner of the National Historic…
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