A Mega Decade for Sports Tourism in the United States

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo gave an upbeat assessment on the State Department‘s ongoing efforts to strengthen its ability to issue visas to Americans and foreign visitors, in anticipation of a “mega decade” for sports tourism in the United States. As a result of these efforts, “more people are traveling to the…

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John Boyle O’Reilly and Captain Jack, Chief of the Modoc People

Kindred Spirits in County Cork, Photo courtesy of Gavin Sheridan

Irish rebel John Boyle O’Reilly arrived in Boston in January 1870, and almost immediately he became a powerful voice for the oppressed, including his own people of Ireland who were trying to break free of Britain, but also in the United States, Blacks, Chinese immigrants and Native Americans. O’Reilly saw the British conquest of the…

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Trinity College Dublin Honors Poet Eavan Boland

Ireland’s distinguished poet, essayist and educator Eavan Boland (1944-2020) is the first woman in the 432-year-old history of Trinity College Dublin to have a building named in her honor. The library’s name-change came about after 18th century Irish philosopher George Berkley’s name was stripped from the library in 2023,  after it was determined that his historical…

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Porto Lúa

Porto Lua Book Cover

by David Green Boston-based writer, teacher and world traveler David Green has written a tour de force novel set in the Celtic region of Galicia during the latter half of the 20th century. Described as a coming-of-age novel, Porto Lúa introduces a country and people “living in a time before the disenchantment of the world,…

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A Selection of Irish Landmarks in Lowell, Massachusetts

St. Patrick's Church in Lowell, Massachusetts

The next time you are exploring Irish heritage sites in Massachusetts, visit these landmarks in the City of Lowell, a mill city built in the 19th century in large part by Irish immigrants. The idea to create an experimental new town of mills and factories came from Yankee industrialists and bankers, but they quickly realized…

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Perils and Prospects of a United Ireland

Perils and Prospects of a United Ireland Padraig O'Malley

Padraig O’Malley As a major voice on the topic of divided societies, from Northern Ireland to South Africa and the Middle East over the past half century, Padraig O’Malley’s latest book is a welcome addition to the literature, especially now, when the prospect of a united Ireland seems closer than it has been in the…

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Spectacle Live Shows

Gaelic Storm

Formed in 2013 in Lowell, MA, Spectacle Live has become one of New England’s premier concert promoters in less than a decade. Founder Pete Lally’s original philosophy – to match the right artist with the right venue at the right date – has proven to be a winner, and today, the company offers creative solutions…

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Irish history at the USS Constitution and
Museum in Charlestown Navy Yard

The next time you’re exploring the Irish Heritage Trail or Boston’s Freedom Trail, be sure to stop by the USS Constitution ship and the Irish Heritage Trail in the Charlestown Navy Yard.The USS Constitution is America’s oldest commissioned ship,  first launched on October 21, 1797.  It is berthed in the Charlestown Navy Yard, and operated by the US Navy, in partnership with the National Historic Parks of…

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Irish-Born Sculptor Stephen J.O’Kelly Created Myles Standish Memorial In Duxbury and Civil War Monuments in Nashua and Gettysburg

Myles Standish Monument in Duxbury, MA

Dublin-born sculptor Stephen J. O’Kelly (1850-98) was a successful artist in late 19th century United States, creating several important memorials that still stand today. Born in Dublin, he studied art in Paris and opened a studio in London before immigrating to Boston, where he lived for much of his adult life. He had Roscommon roots, and his brother,…

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The Moakley Courthouse in Seaport District Honors a True South Boston Hero

Photo courtesy of PEI Cobb Freed and Partners

Located along the Seaport District on Fan Pier and situated along Boston Harborwalk, the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse is a tribute to South Boston native Joe Moakley, who represented his neighborhood and district as a state representative, state senator, Boston City Councilor and U.S. Congressman for 48 years. The Moakley Courthouse is part of Boston’s Irish Heritage Trail, an…

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The Inspiring New Quincy Navy Park in Squantum Highlights Quincy’s Historic Role in National Defense While Honoring Local Navy Vets

This month, the City of Quincy dedicated the beautiful and inspiring new Quincy Navy Park along the waterfront in Marina Bay. The park honors Navy veterans while highlighting Quincy’s historical contributions to shipbuilding and the national defense. The ceremony took place on August 9, 2024. At the dedication, Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch praised “Quincy’s steadfast commitment to answering…

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Brand USA Appoints Fred Dixon as New President & CEO

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, today announced that, as part of a planned succession process, its Board of Directors has appointed Fred Dixon as the company’s new President & Chief Executive Officer, effective July 15, 2024. Dixon will succeed Christopher L. Thompson, who announced his retirement in July 2023 and held the role of Brand USA’s President…

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Landmarks in Boston’s Charlestown Neighborhood Celebrate the Irish Presence
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Milmore's Civil War Monument in Winthrop Square, Charlestown

Boston’s vibrant neighborhood of Charlestown has a rich Irish history that goes back to the American Revolution and continues today.  There are several landmarks in Charlestown that visitors can explore along the Boston Irish Heritage Trail.  Here are a few or our favorites. A Boston National Historic Park overseen by the National Park Service, the Bunker Hill Monument is…

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Group Tours to Ireland: Brack and Cara Tours in 2024

Newgrange

As always, when traveling to Ireland, we first recommend checking out ireland.com – the official tourism website for the island of Ireland. You’ll find details on where to go, where to stay, what to do and what tosee. Ireland.com has up-to-date details on events, suggestions on driving routes and ways to experience the breathtaking beauty…

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Culture: Ireland’s Popular Export

Little Spirit Cassidy Ludwig

Ireland’s greatest export has always been its people, so the saying goes, and in recent years Ireland’s cultural output – in film, music, dance and literature – has also emerged as wildly popular, particularly in the United States. Start with film, where actors like Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon are winning both popular…

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