A time to recall, and mourn: Paddy Cronin, Henry Varian

By Sean Smith
May 1, 2014
Sean Smith

The late winter/early spring of 2014 held some sadness for Boston’s Irish music community, which mourned the passing of two of its stalwarts: Paddy Cronin, 88, a talented and influential fiddle player; and Henry Varian, 72, a singer, musician, raconteur, and co-owner of one of Boston’s legendary Irish music pubs.

‘The Lazy Farmer’ – incisive fusion of Irish and American sound

By Sean Smith
May 1, 2014
Sean Smith

Like many musicians throughout Greater Boston – and beyond – Flynn Cohen feels he owes a lot to the late guitarist-mandolinist John McGann, a much-beloved figure in the area’s Irish music community. Along with considerable amounts of advice, inspiration, and wisdom that he bequeathed to Cohen over the years, McGann had a key role in planting the seed for a fascinating music project that has now borne fruit.

Greater Boston does well in Mid-Atlantic Fleadh

By BIR Staff Report
May 1, 2014
BIR Staff Report

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 Aromin, Patrick Hutchinson and Benedict Gagliardi (trio, Over-18); Liam Hart (English and Irish men’s singing, Over-18); Patrick Bowling (bodhran, Over-18); Stuart Peak (banjo, accompaniment, Over-18).

Yet another salute for Seamus Connolly

By BIR Staff Report
May 1, 2014
BIR Staff Report

The honors keep rolling in for master fiddler Seamus Connolly, director of Irish music programs at Boston College and one of the area’s most celebrated traditional Irish musicians. Last month, Connolly – who is the Sullivan Artist-in-Residence at BC – was presented with the university’s 2014 Faculty Arts Award, which recognizes faculty members for their accomplishments and contributions to the arts.

Féile Cheoil Boston, Round 2: Return to Melrose on May 17

By Sean Smith
May 1, 2014
Sean Smith

One of the newer celebrations of traditional Irish music in Boston returns for its second go-round this month, when Féile Cheoil Boston takes place on May 17 in Melrose. The day-long (10 a.m.-10 p.m.) event, established by Boston’s Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) Reynolds-Hanafin-Cooley Boston School of Music to showcase area Irish musicians – especially young ones – includes competitions in instrument and vocal categories, children’s activities, performances, sessions, and an evening concert headlined by the trio Open the Door for Three.

Twice upon a time

By R.J. Donovan, Special to the Reporter
May 1, 2014
R.J. Donovan, Special to the Reporter

Aimee Doherty journeys “Into The Woods”
Fairy tales are filled with princes and witches and monsters and magic.  Whatever trials the characters face, the stories usually build to a happily-ever-after ending.  But did you ever wonder what happened after that?
That’s the jumping off point for “Into The Woods,” the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine retelling of some of the world’s most enduring fairy tales.  Lyric Stage Company presents the 1987 Tony Award-winning musical from May 9 to June 15.

Catching up with Billy Donlan

By Greg O' Brien
May 1, 2014
Greg O' Brien

They call up the memory him at the Heights with great reverence; he was the Doug Flutie of the 1950s. At barely five feet, eight inches tall with a big stretch, Billy Donlan was one of the finest Boston-bred quarterbacks and scholars to grace a gridiron or lecture hall. Starring on the Boston College teams of almost 60 years ago, he was among the nation’s premier passers, throwing short tosses and tight 60-yard lasers with a right hand slightly larger than his left, cupping the football like a grenade at a time when most quarterbacks were tossing dirigibles.

A ‘Sea Grey’ Connemara Special: The Renvyle House Hotel

By BIR News Room
May 1, 2014

Renvyle House Hotel in Connemara.Renvyle House Hotel in Connemara.

By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Elegant but comfortable, formal but relaxed, a place for the famous but also for the average Joe (and Joanne) – lovely Renvyle House Hotel in Connemara is all these things and more.
Even if the accommodations were dreadful – which they most certainly are not – the location alone is well worth the price of admission. Perched at the ocean’s edge, this grand dame of the Renvyle Peninsula has a storied history and is a perfect choice for singles (no single supplement), couples, or families.

At Bridgewater State Univ, a remembrance of Seamus Heaney

By Bill O'Donnell
May 1, 2014
Bill O'Donnell

Grand Time On Seamus Heaney Birthday – On Sunday afternoon, April 13, at the auditorium on the Bridgewater State University campus an audience of friends and fans came together to mark the 75th birthday of the poet Seamus Heaney, who died last August. It was an old-fashioned, memory-laden birthday bash with stories, anecdotes, and travels with Seamus tales, interrupted by applause and laughter. A lovely day for a lovely man.

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