Irish Boston History
The Boston Irish have always wanted a cultural home they could call their own, a place to gather with family and friends, where they could preserve their culture, strengthen their heritage and have a bit of fun in the process. In the 19th century, they gathered in community centers, parish halls or tenement kitchens, spread…
Here in New England, the Irish and Scots-Irish played pivotal roles during the Revolutionary War and American Revolution. They stood out as fierce warriors on battlefields and high seas, but also contributed in legal, political and artistic realms where their talent and devotion came to the fore. As part of America 250 celebrations, we’ve created…
On March 17, 2026, Bostonians celebrate the 250th anniversary of Dorchester Heights, a sacred anniversary in South Boston known as Evacuation Day. It was on March 17, 1776, when occupying British troops ended their 11-month Siege of Boston and evacuated the town, after being forced to leave by General George Washington and colonial forces who…
Boston’s Irish Heritage Trail was created in 1994 to chronicle the illustrious history of the city’s Irish community through public landmarks. We are excited to add these two landmarks to the Irish Heritage Trail in 2026. Swan Boats LagoonBoston Public Garden The iconic Swan Boats in the Public Garden Lagoon were first launched in 1877…
To pay homage to its distinctive Irish heritage, the Boston Irish Tourism Association is developing a South Boston Irish Heritage Trail of landmarks celebrating local leaders, institutions and memorials that underscore Southie’s indelible Irish spirit. This project is a work-in-progress, and we welcome your suggestions. John J. Moakley Federal Courthouse1 Court House Way, Northern Avenue…
An Irish man from County Kilkenny named Thomas White was part of the history-making Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773, when angry Bostonians led by Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty boarded three British ships and dumped 92,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor. Their act of defiance over “taxation without representation” was…
Since uncovering a missing bronze plaque to Commodore John Barry, tucked away in a Charlestown Navy Yard warehouse since 1981, we have been working with the Boston Art Commission and Boston National Historical Park for approval to refurbish the damaged bronze and find a suitable public setting for it in the Navy Yard in 2026,…
Kevin Hagan White (1929-2012), one of Boston’s most beloved and impactful mayors of the 20th century, was the son of Irish-Catholic parents Joseph White and Patricia Hagan. He was raised in Jamaica Plain. Born into a political family on September 25, 1929 in Boston- both of his grandfathers were well-known politicians – White followed in…
The larger-than-life bronze statue of legendary quarterback Tom Brady is being added to the Irish Heritage Trail, a collection of public landmarks that celebrate the contributions of Irish and Irish-Americans in New England. The statue was unveiled on August 8 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, where Brady led the New England Patriots to six…
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…
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…
The larger-than-life bronze statue of legendary quarterback Tom Brady was unveiled on August 8 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…
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….
Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, Photo by Elkus Manfredi Patrick Charles 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…
The public’s fascination with President John F. Kennedy and his family remains strong in Massachusetts. The native son, whose great-grandparents emigrated from Ireland to Boston during the famine in 1848, inspired generations of people around the world with his political leadership, courage, wit and wisdom. This summer, visitors have a chance to see brand new exhibits…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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These organizations promote Irish Culture in New England.
