December CD Reviews

By Sean Smith, Special to the BIR
November 28, 2017
Sean Smith, Special to the BIR

John and Maggie Carty, “Settle Out of Court” • There’s no guarantee, you know, that traditional music gets passed down to the next generation, no matter how strong the legacy in a family. Maybe the younger ones just don’t take to it – or even if they do, the quality, the commitment, the verve may not follow.

‘A Christmas Celtic Sojourn’ is in a different place these days No Solas presence means a jump into ‘uncharted waters’ for O’Donovan et al.

By Sean Smith, Special to the BIR
November 28, 2017
Sean Smith, Special to the BIR

It’ll be 15 years – and the start of a new era – for “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn” when the curtain for the annual holiday show goes up on Dec. 12 at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport.
“Sojourn” makes its customary stop at the Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College in Boston from Dec. 14-17, then heads to Worcester’s Hanover Theatre (Dec. 18), the Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford (Dec. 19) and Providence’s Veterans Memorial Auditorium (Dec. 20) before returning to the Cutler to close out its run on Dec. 21 and 22.

‘Nutcracker’s’ Snow Queen has a love affair with dancing

By R.J. Donovan, Special to the BIR
November 28, 2017
R.J. Donovan, Special to the BIR

Boston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” stands as a “must see” family-friendly holiday tradition. And in the midst of glistening snowflakes, dancing mice, and battling tin soldiers stands principal dancer Kathleen Breen Combes.
In artistic director Mikko Nissinen’s acclaimed adaptation of the classic Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet, Kathleen plays The Snow Queen, The Sugar Plum Fairy, and performs an Arabian dance.

Charitable Irish Society honors three with Silver Key Awards

By Ed Forry
November 28, 2017

The Charitable Irish Society, the oldest Irish society in the Americas, hosted its 19th Silver Key Awards Reception on Dec. 6, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston’s Copley Square.
Irish Hearts organizer Winnie Henry, Irish International Immigrant Center director Ronnie Millar, and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh were awarded the Society’s Silver Keys in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Irish community.

Lynch feted at record-breaking Ireland Fund gala

By
November 28, 2017

More than 1,000 guests gathered on Thursday, November 16 for The Ireland Fund’s 36th annual Boston Gala at the Westin Boston Waterfront.
A record-breaking $2.6 million, the largest amount ever achieved at the Boston Gala, was raised to support non-profit organizations across the island of Ireland and around the world.
The 2017 Boston Gala was co-chaired by David Greaney, president and CEO of Synergy Investments and Robert E. Griffin, U.S. Head of Capital Markets and President of The New England Area at Newmark Knight Frank.

Tánaiste Fitzgerald resigns amid Garda query scandal

By Ed Forry
November 28, 2017

Ireland’s deputy prime minister— or Tánaiste— Frances Fitzgerald resigned her position on Nov. 28 rather than risk a vote of no confidence and the potential of new elections in the wake of a brewing controversy.
Fitzgerald, who represents Dublin Mid-West in the Dail, came under fire after news reports showed that she had been alerted to “whistleblower” allegations of alleged corruption within the Garda in July 2015, but took no action. She will also resign from her role as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Recalling our Yuletide treks to Granny’s house

By Tom Mulvoy, Managing Editor
November 28, 2017
Tom Mulvoy, Managing Editor

It’s hard to tell exactly why my memory drifts into overdrive at Christmastime, but I suspect that it’s due to a yearning for the emotional warmth that enveloped me and my family and all its extensions at the year-end holidays during World War II and the 15 years or so that followed.
My mother and father kicked off the baby parade in August 1941 when my brother Mark was born, and the march rolled on until the last of a troupe of 48 first cousins (two of whom died at young ages) crossed the finish line two decades later.

Trump is putting us in reverse gear

By James Dolan, Special to the BIR
November 28, 2017
James Dolan, Special to the BIR

It’s all about winning. President Trump sees the world divided between winners and losers. He’s the winner-in-chief and opponents are losers incapable of recognizing his unique skills or displaying the deference to which he is entitled. He views himself more as a king than as a public servant. He sees former President Obama as an adversary. Having failed to disqualify his predecessor by challenging his citizenship, he has chosen to undo his accomplishments.

Ireland’s best pubs, restaurants take star turns

Ed Forry
By Ed Forry
November 28, 2017

The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) is a philanthropic organization on Merrion Road, located just a few blocks from the American Embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Established in 1731 as “the Dublin Society” with a mission to support cultural and economic affairs in the country, the society is housed on 40 acres, with a 7,000 seat arena, meeting rooms, bars and restaurants and an exhibition hall that is a major venue for concerts and other events.

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