Around the Town

Mayor Martin Walsh, IFest Boston founder Rachel Kelly and chef Barabara Lynch are key players in bringing September’s three-day festival to the Seaport/World Trade Center on Boston’s waterfront. Photo by Dan Watkins IFest Boston — a three-day festival... Read more
Last July the hottest ticket at the Galway Film Fleadh was the one that would gain you entry to a screening of the documentary “Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago”. This wasn’t surprising as just about everyone in Ireland knows someone who has... Read more
Irish musicians from Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts made an impressive showing at the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Cheoil held in Parsippany, NJ, April 25-27. Winners included: Rory Coyne (melodeon, Under-12); Seamus Noon (solo flute, Under-12); Armand... Read more
Dublin-based clothing retailer Primark will open a new United States flagship store in downtown Boston next year at the corner of Washington and Summer streets in the building made famous over the last century as headquarters of legendary Filene’s... Read more
Therese Murray, the president of the Massachusetts State Senate, has been named the recipient of the third annual Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award, which was established to recognize the achievements of members of the Diaspora in other countries and to... Read more
Brian O’Donovan, the host of WGBH Radio’s weekly program Celtic Sojourn, will receive Boston’s Eire Society 2014 Gold Medal honor at its annual dinner next month in Quincy. News of the honor was announced as the Irish group makes plans for its 77th annual... Read more
Channeling Martin's spirit, they ran, and ran, and ran... For some — like Harry Benzan— the final stretch of the marathon on Boylston Street on April 21 remains a blur. Literally. He couldn’t see because of the tears streaming from both eyes as he neared... Read more
Music, dance, and fun on tap over 3 weekends The Irish Cultural Centre of New England (ICCNE) in Canton is making a big change in the presentation of its annual Irish Festival this year. Since 1990, the non-profit organization has staged a three-day... Read more
The growing ties between the cities of Boston and Belfast in Northern Ireland will be affirmed later this month when the mayors of the two municipalities are expected to sign a “Sister City” agreement. Belfast’s  Sinn Fein mayor, Mairtin O Muilleoir,... Read more
Position of Administrative Assistant The Consulate-General of Ireland, Boston, would like to invite interested candidates to apply for the position of Administrative Assistant. The full-time position will become available in May 2014. Candidates should... Read more
BY ED FORRY BIR PUBLISHER The historic M. Steinert & Sons piano retail showroom at 162 Boylston Street across from Boston Common was the setting of a private musical concert last month to mark the Boston launch of the Irish American Art and Music... Read more
He made many friends in his years here, doing poetry readings and participating as a valued member of the local community. He was a popular figure at many area universities, including Bridgewater State and Boston State, where he developed close and... Read more
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE LISTING Sat., March 8, 2014 Cape Cod – Yarmouth at 11a.m. Route is about 2 miles long. Parade starts at Long Pond Drive and Route 28 in South Yarmouth. Continues west on Route 28, over the Parker’s River Bridge, ending at Route 28... Read more
One of the more memorable moments of Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s inauguration ceremony at Boston College’s Conte Forum on Jan. 6 occurred during a musical interlude featuring Yo-Yo Ma, the 59-year-old Chinese American cellist who lives in Cambridge. Many in... Read more
BY BILL FORRY BIR EDITOR On Jan. 6, the city and the region got its first extended glimpse of the political leader whom we’ve come to know, simply, as Marty. It was a good first impression and a reminder of why he won last fall: People want to like him.... Read more
Dr. William T. O’Connell of Duxbury, a podiatrist who was known to many as Dr. Bill, led an active life well into his 80s. He traveled extensively, touring Russia and South America, among other places while making 21 trips to Ireland. He skied into his... Read more
BY BILL FORRY BIR EDITOR A tight-knit group of neighbors and family friends will form the nucleus of the inaugural Team MR8, a squad of 100-plus runners who will run in April’s Boston Marathon in memory of Martin Richard, the eight-year-old Dorchester boy... Read more
BY ARTHUR MURPHY SPECIAL TO THE BIR Jack Shaughnessy grew up in Quincy, graduated from BC High in wartime 1944, served in the Navy, and afterwards worked with his brother Al in building a very successful crane and rigging business in South Boston. That... Read more
The year’s most indelible images, memories and emotions for the city — and certainly for Dorchester at-large— are connected to the April 15th terror attack on spectators and participants at the Boston Marathon. The bombings killed three and wounded... Read more
Peter O’Toole met his goal: “To be the event!” BY PETER F. STEVENS BIR STAFF There was always that voice. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to speak with the legendary actor Peter O’Toole, who passed away last month at the age of 81, and I daresay... Read more

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