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.

Heatons offer music ‘as a conversation’

By Sean Smith
May 1, 2014

Sean Smith

Local launch of ‘Tell You in Earnest,’ at The Burren May 14
When you’ve been a musical duo, and a couple, for as long as Matt and Shannon Heaton – and we’re talking well into the second decade – you tend to know when you’re onto something good.

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.

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.

Dublin-based clothier Primark to set up shop at Filene’s site

By Ed Forry
May 1, 2014

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 department store company.

O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award to Senate President Murray

By Ed Forry
May 1, 2014

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 celebrate the global impact of Irish people everywhere.

Eire Society cites O’Donovan for its 2014 Gold Medal honor

By BIR Staff Report
May 1, 2014

BIR Staff Report

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 awards banquet on Thurs., June 12, at the Neighborhood Club, with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7.

‘Overwhelming support’ gives lift to inaugural Team MR8 in Marathon

By Bill Forry, Editor
May 1, 2014

Bill Forry, Editor

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 the spot where his friends and neighbors were so callously and publicly attacked last year.

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