February 23, 2024
irishmassachusetts@comcast.net
TRAVEL + CULTURE
MAGAZINE CELEBRATES
IRISH NEW ENGLAND + TRAVEL TO IRELAND
"NEW ENGLAND IS THE CAPITAL OF IRISH AMERICA"
(Editors & Media: For high resolution images, interview requests and more information,
please contact: irishmassachusetts@comcast.net)
(BOSTON) -- Irish cultural festivities in New England and travel ideas for visiting Ireland are the twin themes of Travel & Culture magazine’s spring 2024 issue, released today by Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA).
The major event on the Irish calendar is the annual St. Patrick's Day parades, taking place in more than a dozen cities and towns across New England. These cultural events attract more than one million spectators each year, boosting local economies and strengthening community ties.
The annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast, hosted by South Boston State Senator, Nick Collins, is a highlight of the season.
“With 13 St. Patrick’s Day parades, 4 Irish festivals and hundreds of cultural events on the docket, New England becomes the Capital of Irish America each March,” says BITA’s Michael Quinlin. “And no wonder, since New England has the nation’s highest percentage of residents claiming Irish ancestry, according to the US Census.”
The 36 page magazine is available for free at visitor centers and cultural venues in greater Boston and throughout New England, and is also in digital format online.
On the concert circuit, top touring groups such as Celtic Woman, The High Kings, Gaelic Storm, Karan Casey, Michael Londra and Eileen Ivers are performing, along with Breaking Trad, Devri, Green Road, Áine Minogue and Derek Warfield. Other annual favorite events include The Reagle Players’ annual Magic of Ireland Concerts featuring Dublin's Ciarán Sheehan, and Andy Cooney’s Irish Celebration.
And Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops have exciting musical seasons at Symphony Hall in Boston and later this summer at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA.
Irish festivals are being held at the Irish Village/Emerald Resort in Hyannis on March 8-10, Patriot Place in Foxborough on March 16, Veterans Stadium in Quincy on March 16, and the the Irish Cultural Centre on March 16-17. The Irish Cultural Centre is a year-round destination for authentic Irish music, dance, learning, language, culture and family fun.
One of the highlight of the season is the Lyric Stage production of Irish playwright Ronan Noone’s latest work, Thirst, inspired by Eugene O’Neill’s work.
This issue has feature stories on Boston, Quincy, Cape Cod, Holyoke and Worcester in Central Massachusetts, plus a story on Massachusetts' convention industry. The JFK Museum in Hyannis is profiled, along with the Irish American Partnership. It also profiles three women leaders, Patti Lloyd of Cape Cod Chamber, Martha Sheridan of Meet Boston and Síghle FitzGerald of the Irish Consulate in Boston.
Featured Gift shops offering Irish products include Bridget's - An Irish Tradition, Aisling Gallery & Framing and the Museum Store at the JFK Library.
The Ireland section focuses on off-season travel to the island of Ireland in spring, fall and winter, where great bargains are available and iconic events range from St. Patrick’s Day and Bloomsday to Halloween and Christmas. Aer Lingus has daily service to Dublin and Shannon as well as connections all over Europe, while Brack Tours and Irish Spirit Tours offer intimate, carefully curated ways to uncover the magic of Ireland. Find complete travel information at ireland.com - the official tourism site for the island of Ireland.
The story, "Culture – Ireland’s Popular Export," explores the proliferation of outstanding Irish film, music and dance, and books that are helping to redefine the Irish brand the world over.
A map of the Boston Irish Heritage Trail is included, along with descriptions of 20 downtown landmarks for self-guided tours. The Irish Heritage Trail celebrates its 30th anniversary in summer 2024 as one of the city's four main walking trails.
This year, BITA is celebrating its 24th anniversary as a year-round, cultural tourism organization that promotes the state’s largest ethnic community. BITA publishes three annual issues of Travel & Culture each March, June and November.
For further details on festivals and concerts, as well as year-round Irish and cultural activities, hotel packages, gift shops and more, visit IrishMassachusetts.com | IrishBoston.org.
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