Visit the Christa McAuliffe Statue at the New Hampshire State House

January 28, 2025

On September 2, 2024, The Christa McAuliffe State House Memorial Commission unveiled a Christa McAuliffe statue at the New Hampshire State House in Concord. The dedication took place on what would have been Christa’s 76th birthday, with support from the Governor’s Office and the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. Photo Courtesy of McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Renowned artist, Benjamin Victor, was selected by…

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Actress Bridget Moynahan is Recipient of John F. Kennedy National Award from the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Committee

January 13, 2025
Actress Bridget Moynihan

Acclaimed actress, author, and model Bridget Moynahan is the 2025 recipient of the John F. Kennedy National Award, issued annually by the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke, MA. The prestigious award is bestowed each year to Americans of Irish descent who have distinguished themselves in their chosen career and who demonstrates the values of family, faith and community…

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Ireland in Springtime: 2025

January 10, 2025
Apple blossom flowers at Long Meadow Cider in Co Armagh

Of course we love summer in Ireland, and autumn leading into the Christmas holidays and winter. But increasingly, springtime in Ireland is the sweet spot for more and more Americans, who have discovered the milder weather, the abundance of nature, smaller crowds and in general a chill vibe between March and June which fits their…

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Discover the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail

January 10, 2025
Scituate Lighthouse

An exciting new attraction celebrating local Irish history, heritage, and pride, while welcoming visitors to the area, has taken shape just south of Boston. The South Shore Irish Heritage Trail, unveiled in June 2021, offers a novel new way to enjoy one of Massachusetts’ most beautiful scenic drives while also learning about its rich ethnic heritage….

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The Irish Discover Quincy 

December 23, 2024

Quincy, Massachusetts has become the go-to place for thousands of Irish expats who have settled in the Boston area over the past 25 years.   With beautiful outdoor amenities plus plenty of history, culture, and ethnic cuisine, this coastal city of 100,000 residents offers a less expensive, more expansive lifestyle for Irish and like-minded immigrant groups…

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Ten Bostonians Selected for Annual Business 100 Awards by Irish America Magazine in New York

December 21, 2024

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Irish and Irish-American Business 100, selected annually by Irish America Magazine, a national publication based in New York City. An event honoring the recipients was held on Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Metropolitan Club near Central Park. The magazine’s co-publishers, Niall O’Dowd and Patricia Harty, served as masters of…

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On December 9, 1884, Boston Elected Corkman Hugh O’Brien as its First Irish-Born Mayor

December 9, 2024
Hugh O'Brien First Irish-Born Mayor

A new era in city government took hold on Monday, January 5, 1885, when Hugh O’Brien became Boston’s first Irish-born mayor.  O’Brien’s victory at the polls in December finally broke the hegemony of old-line Yankees who had run local government since Boston was incorporated as a city in 1822. O’Brien defeated incumbent mayor Augustus Pearl Martin by 3, 124…

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Flynn Cruiseport Is Making Waves in Boston with Record Numbers of Passengers and Cruise Ships in 2024 Season

November 22, 2024

Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) officials, elected officials from South Boston and tourism, environmental and transportation advocates gathered in Boston’s Seaport District  on Friday, November 22 to celebrate the success of the 2024 Cruising season at the Raymond L. Flynn Cruiseport and to learn about new plans for upgrading the facility. Former U.S. Ambassador and Boston Mayor…

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Brack Tours: Ireland Your Way in 2025

November 14, 2024
People overlooking cliffs

As a special offer to BITA readers, Brack Tours is offering a $100 discount per person for any Exclusive Tour in 2024.  To take advantage of the offer, contact info@ bracktours.com and use the discount code BRACKBITA2024 in your correspondence. You’re ready to plan that dream trip to Ireland in 2024, to explore its majesty and magic, to discover places…

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Currently On the Bookshelf

November 12, 2024
Beckett's Children: A Literary Memoir by Michael Coffey

Beckett’s Children: A Literary Memoir By Michael CoffeyOR Books176 pages/ 2024/ $23 cloth This profound meditation by an exquisite writer at the top of his craft centers around the author’s twin abiding obsessions: the ramifications of him being adopted and his literary hero Samuel Beckett. Reflecting on his decades-long quest to find his birth parents…

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ICC: A Cultural Milestone at 25 Years

November 11, 2024
Ciaran Tara

The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston has abundant reasons to be joyful this holiday season, as it celebrates an important milestone and presents another robust season of Irish music, dance, social gatherings and family fun this Christmas and through the winter months. Thirty-five years ago, in 1989, a group of Irish and Irish-Americans came…

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Fly Aer Lingus to Dublin and Shannon in 2025

November 11, 2024
Aer Lingus Plane in Flight

Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier, has been connecting Boston to Ireland since October 1958, when the first non-stop flight went from Boston Logan International Airport to Dublin Airport. Today, Aer Lingus remains the perfect airline to take you back to Ireland, and to easily get you to some of Europe’s finest cities. With direct flights…

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Christmas Fun in New England

November 11, 2024
Lunasa

Our favorite concert venues offer a mix of music, from the Celtic traditions of Ireland, Scotland and the Canadian Maritimes, to sacred church music, classical, jazz and popular melodies we cherish from childhood. The Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, MA is a case in point. On Dec 5, jazz pianist David Benoit performs A…

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Blackstone River Theatre Shines

November 11, 2024
Hildaland

Fresh off a summer of interior and exterior renovations and improvements, the acclaimed Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI has continued its run of excellent concerts this fall, including many acts appearing for their first time at the hallowed venue. “Audiences have responded positively to the freshened-up look of everything but ultimately, it’s the performers…

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Irish Christmas Gifts in Massachusetts

November 10, 2024
Quincy Gift Shop

Quincy Welcome Center Shop 1259 Hancock Street, Quincy The newly renovated Welcome Center next to Hancock Adams Common offers a variety of cool Quincy-themed merchandise, from sweatshirts, hoodies, tee-shirts, hats and tote bags to coffee mugs, sunglasses, magnets and key chains. You can also pick up free maps, brochures and tour information from friendly tourism…

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Ireland’s Travel Treasures

November 10, 2024
Cork City

Cork City — A Top 25 Destination National Geographic has named Cork City one of the 25 best places in the world to travel to in 2025. The much-anticipated announcement is made annually and is a point of pride for destinations making the competitive list, which is handpicked by National Geographic’s explorers, photographers, and editors….

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Irish Women in the News: Aine Greeney, Martina Curtin, Mary Sugrue

November 9, 2024

Áine Greaney, Writer Noted fiction writer Áine Greaney has a new collection of short shorts titled, Trespassers, due for publication in March 2025. The eleven stories chronicle the lives of Irish immigrants navigating their lives in New England or Ireland, with a rich cast of characters who shoulder their burdens with grace and humor, even…

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Newport, RI: Newport’s Winter Glory

November 9, 2024
Gurneys Lighthouse

Newport, Rhode Island sparkles between December and March, when the historic port city takes a step back from the excitement of summer and returns to a more easygoing cadence. It is a perfect time for visitors to enjoy this magical place, where iconic seasonal activities invite you in, and where the charm and beauty never…

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Riverdance at 30: Forever Young

November 8, 2024
Riverdacen Dancer Anna Mai Fitzpatrick

Riverdance is celebrating 30 phenomenal years as one of the world’s most beloved cultural productions, and that is good news for Boston! Riverdance – The New Generation, is returning to the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston for eight performances on April 8 – 13, 2025. Individual and group tickets can be purchased online –…

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Quincy: Christmas Magic in Quincy

November 8, 2024
Quincy Christmas Tree

For visitors seeking the true spirit of Christmas, make your way to Quincy, Massachusetts, a city bursting with holiday magic from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Among the holiday glad tidings: Christmas tree lightings, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, caroling and concerts, outdoor ice skating and plenty of holiday markets, craft fairs and retail shopping. Quincy…

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