The Lankum approach: ‘You let the song go where it wants, and you just let that happen’

By Sean Smith, Special to the BIR
January 3, 2019
Sean Smith, Special to the BIR

There’s something about the phrase “between the earth and sky” that really works for the Dublin quartet Lankum – which will make its Boston-area debut Jan. 11 at Club Passim in Harvard Square – and not just because that’s the name of their most recent album.

When a king, with regrets, allowed history to move on

By Tom Mulvoy, Managing Editor
January 3, 2019
Tom Mulvoy, Managing Editor

As a teenager interested in history overall, and Irish history in particular, I used to pester my father, born a subject of an English king on the island of Ireland in the first decade of the 20th century, about what life was like for him in Oughterard, a village in Co. Galway hard by Loch Corrib, before he crossed the Atlantic with his mother and two of his sisters as a 12 year old in 1921.

When a king, with regrets, allowed history to move on

By Tom Mulvoy, Managing Editor
January 3, 2019
Tom Mulvoy, Managing Editor

As a teenager interested in history overall, and Irish history in particular, I used to pester my father, born a subject of an English king on the island of Ireland in the first decade of the 20th century, about what life was like for him in Oughterard, a village in Co. Galway hard by Loch Corrib, before he crossed the Atlantic with his mother and two of his sisters as a 12 year old in 1921.

Navigating the business of The Arts

By R.J. Donovan, Special to the BIR
January 3, 2019
R.J. Donovan, Special to the BIR

Most artists spend a lifetime perfecting their craft. But whether someone is an actor, singer, dancer, writer, designer, or painter, he or she may not be completely comfortable in maneuvering the business side of the arts.

Longtime arts administrator Julie Hennrikus decided to do something about that. She recently launched YourLadders.com, a broad-reaching online arts administration school built especially for artists.

Multi-talented Patsy Whelan remembered at memorial Mass

By
January 3, 2019

Family members and friends gathered on Dec. 2 in St. Brendan’s Church in Dorchester for a funeral Mass for Patrick “Patsy” Whelan, a popular figure in the Greater Boston Irish music scene for many years who died on Oct. 7. Mr. Whelan had been in ill health for some time, and earlier in the year had endured a double lung transplant.

Following the Mass was “A Celebration of Life Concert” at Florian Hall, with performances by Devri, Pauline Wells, Kiernan Dalton, Brian Gaffney, and others who had known Whelan and enjoyed his company and music.

Multi-talented Patsy Whelan remembered at memorial Mass

By
January 3, 2019

Family members and friends gathered on Dec. 2 in St. Brendan’s Church in Dorchester for a funeral Mass for Patrick “Patsy” Whelan, a popular figure in the Greater Boston Irish music scene for many years who died on Oct. 7. Mr. Whelan had been in ill health for some time, and earlier in the year had endured a double lung transplant.

Following the Mass was “A Celebration of Life Concert” at Florian Hall, with performances by Devri, Pauline Wells, Kiernan Dalton, Brian Gaffney, and others who had known Whelan and enjoyed his company and music.

Maybe it’s not yet time for last call at the Dot Tavern

By
January 3, 2019

One of Dorchester’s throwback barrooms— the Dot Tavern— suddenly went dark at the beginning of November. But fans of the vintage watering hole should not hit the panic button. At least, not just yet.

Doug George, the Dorchester resident and real estate developer, bought the three-story building at 840 Dot Ave. last month. The building includes the first-floor tavern that has been there for most of the 20th century, by some accounts.

Maybe it’s not yet time for last call at the Dot Tavern

By
January 3, 2019

One of Dorchester’s throwback barrooms— the Dot Tavern— suddenly went dark at the beginning of November. But fans of the vintage watering hole should not hit the panic button. At least, not just yet.

Doug George, the Dorchester resident and real estate developer, bought the three-story building at 840 Dot Ave. last month. The building includes the first-floor tavern that has been there for most of the 20th century, by some accounts.

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE OLD It’s a time of comings, goings for Trump’s Irish-American ‘help’

By Peter F. Stevens, Special to the BIR
January 3, 2019
Peter F. Stevens, Special to the BIR

As we bid adieu to 2018, a pair of Irish-Americans were saying their goodbyes to the denizens of the political fever swamp that is Washington D.C. Soon to be a former speaker of the House, Paul Ryan chose to slink out of town with his reputation in tatters. And Brighton-born-and-bred John Kelly has been shown the door by Donald Trump, leaving the former Marine Corps general’s legacy as tarnished as Ryan’s.

Money, recognition, power as values? Surely, we have a much higher calling

By BostonIrish.com... (not verified)
January 3, 2019

By James W. Dolan

We need to be tethered to something larger than ourselves. Without connections to people, places, principles, and purpose, things, and ideas lofty and compelling, we are left adrift in a tumultuous sea struggling just to stay afloat. As much as we may think we are in control, we are tossed about on currents we can neither manage nor understand.

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