History & Heritage
In August 1872, one of America’s most distinctive civil war monuments was being slowly and carefully put into place on a massive pedestal in front of the chapel at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA. The Sphinx Monument was created by Irish immigrant sculptors Martin Milmore and his brother Joseph, who arrived in Boston in 1851 with their widowed…
During the American Revolution, Irish and Scots-Irish immigrants from New England played a pivotal role in helping to win the Revolutionary War. The Boston Irish Heritage Trail gives a glimpse of these Revolutionary Irish heroes through landmarks on Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, Granary Burying Ground, Copley Square Park, Bunker Hill Monument and Dorchester…
John Boyle O’Reilly, the famous Irish rebel who lived in Boston from 1870 until his death, died suddenly at his home in Hull, Massachusetts on August 10, 1890, from an accidental overdose of medication. He left behind his wife Mary (Murphy), four daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Agnes and Blainid, and legions of friends, colleagues and admirers around the world. He was 46. His…
A larger-than-life bronze statue of legendary quarterback Tom Brady has been unveiled at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, where Brady led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles and 17 division championships in his 20 years here. Brady attended the unveiling ceremony with his parents, Tom Brady, Sr. and Galynn, sisters and three…
On August 4, 1718, the brigantine Robert arrived in Boston Harbor, led by Reverend James MacGregor and transporting 12 families from his congregation in Ulster province, Ireland. It was the first of five boats, containing about seven hundred Ulster Irish Presbyterians, also known as Scots-Irish, who arrived in Boston Harbor that year. They had been…
Boston sculptor Martin Milmore, although primarily hailed as a sculptor of Civil War monuments, sepulchral art and exquisite busts, created statues of two local heroes of the American Revolution. The first is a statue of Boston patriot Sam Adams, known as a fiery advocate for revolution, located today at Cary Memorial Hall in Lexington, MA….
When the American Revolution erupted in June, 1775, the Irish and Scots-Irish living in New England quickly joined the colonial side to fight for American independence. After all, they knew sometime about revolution, and about meeting the British in battle. Here are a few of their names. Major General John Sullivan was the son of…
Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, Photo by Elkus Manfredi Patrick C. Keely (1816-1896), regarded as one of the great neo-Gothic church architects of the 19th century, designed more than 600 churches and 16 cathedrals throughout the United States between 1846-1896. Born in Thurles, County Tipperary on August 9, 1816, Keely was the son…
America 250’s newly launched Our American Story, is coming to Boston this fall to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the U.S. Navy at Charlestown Navy Yard on October 13, followed by the 252nd Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 2025. Described as a groundbreaking oral and visual storytelling project, Our…
Commodore John Barry and Marquis de Lafayette, Catholic military heroes of the American Revolution, are memorialized side by side on Boston Common, in homage to their enormous contributions during the Revolutionary War. Born in September 6, 1757, Lafayette was a French nobleman who volunteered to serve in the Continental Army and soon became a close…
Boston’s Edward L. Logan International Airport was named for General Edward L. Logan (1875-1939), a first generation Irish-American military leader, civic leader and municipal judge with family roots in Ballygar, Galway and South Boston. Edward was the oldest of nine children of Lawrence and Catherine (O’Connor), according to the late Michael Cummings of Milton, an expert on…
George M. Cohan, (1878-1942), famed Broadway song and dance man whose songs helped define the World War I generation, was born in Providence RI on July 3, 1878. A statue honoring Cohan at the corner of Wickendon and Governor Streets in Providence was created by noted sculptor Robert Shure, who also created the Irish Famine Memorial in Boston and in Providence. The…
Visitors to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum come from all over the world to be inspired and to remember one of America’s most beloved presidents, Boston native John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the JFK Library sits on a 10-acre site overlooking Boston Harbor…
History is replete with stories about refugees from around the world coming to Boston, Massachusetts, seeking help from tragedies of historic proportions that were too massive for them to face. Very often they were poorly received, as locals feared the burden these immigrants would have on society. One of the most compelling chapters in the…
The New England states played a central role in the American Revolution, especially in the early years of the war. This summer, as America 250 prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding in 2026, Machias, Maine and Charlestown, Massachusetts commemorate their distinctive roles in the Revolutionary War. BATTLE OF MACHIAS On June…
A visit to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston is always inspiring. Encircled by local colleges, cozy small restaurants and the stunning Back Bay Fens, a natural parkland designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the exterior setting is almost as beautiful as the museum itself! The front entrance to MFA on Huntington Avenue is…
The next time you visit Cape Cod, make a special stop at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. The wonderful museum on bustling Main Street pays homage to President Kennedy and his deep connection to Cape Cod, where he spent magical summers with his parents, siblings and cousins in his youth and later with his…
Happy Birthday City of Quincy! The picturesque city of 100,000 residents marks its 400th anniversary in 2025 as one of the most historic and vibrant cities in New England. Located seven miles south of Boston, this bustling urban center is encircled by 27 miles of coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean and 7,000 acres of gently…
Boston’s most iconic public monument, the Shaw Memorial, was officially unveiled on May 31, 1897. The homage to the 54th Black Infantry Regiment of Boston is considered one of America’s most significant Civil War memorials. It was the first public monument to accurately depict black soldiers in military uniform. The memorial was created by immigrant Augustus…
Courtesy of National Park Service. Photo Credit: Procon Consulting (Ted Fiffy)
The popular Marina Bay Ferry in Quincy, Massachusetts resumes its new season on April 28, 2025, with exciting new operational changes to make the ferry ride more efficient and frequent, according to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The Marina Bay Ferry runs from April 28 through November 26 from Squantum Point in Quincy, with stops at…
A three-year effort by a local Girl Scout troop to restore a neglected Civil War statue was celebrated on April 28, 2001 at a rededication ceremony in front of the Edgell Memorial Library in Framingham Center. More than 100 people attended the event. The restoration effort was spearheaded by the Framingham Girl Scout Troop 2112,…
In 2025, The Swan Boats in the Public Garden Lagoon is being added to the Boston Irish Heritage Trail, in homage to the Irish immigrant couple, Robert Paget and his wife Julia (Coffey) Paget, who launched the iconic attraction in 1877. A boatbuilder by trade, Robert developed a catamaran propelled by foot pedals to sail around…
Photo Credit: Lorianne DiSabato
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These organizations promote Irish Culture in New England.
