Prayer for our union: ‘Give love a chance’

By Ed Forry
February 27, 2014

BY JAMES W. DOLAN
SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER
The president is at the podium as the applause subsides. He looks across the array of faces before him, a gathering of many of the most powerful people in the country, and he speaks.
“Ladies and gentlemen I come before you today with a different message. Not what you would expect at this forum where normally you hear a litany of problems and proposed solutions. I am one of a long line of presidents who have delivered those easily forgotten messages.

Our Irish heritage – an inspiring,yet tragic, story about a mystery chair

By Joe Leary
February 27, 2014
Joe Leary

BY JOE LEARY
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
As we celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of our Irish heritage, it is natural to reflect on the lives of our ancestors, their sacrifices that brought us to Boston, and the later sacrifices they made to make a life for themselves and those who followed them.
I hope you will forgive me; this is a very personal story.

The Month of St Patrick: Parades, concerts & more are everywhere!

By BIR Staff
February 27, 2014
BIR Staff

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 and Higgins Crowell Road/Berry Ave. capecodstpatsparade.com.

Sun., March 9, 2014

Hub’s O’Brien leads delegation to Limerick, Belfast

By Bill Forry, Editor
February 27, 2014
Bill Forry, Editor

Belfast tour: Caption: Special Rep. Drew O’Brien, right, toured Belfast Metropolitan College with members of a delegation of US investors last month. Photo: Michael Cooper PhotographyBelfast tour: Caption: Special Rep. Drew O’Brien, right, toured Belfast Metropolitan College with members of a delegation of US investors last month. Photo: Michael Cooper PhotographyBoston’s own Drew O’Brien — a longtime aide to Secretary of State John Kerry — is forging new bonds between the US government, the Republic of Ireland. and Northern Ireland through his role as a State Department representative focused on diaspora communities around the world. O’Brien recently returned from his second visit to the Republic and Belfast in the last year. Both trips were focused on encouraging US investors to consider new opportunities across the pond.

There’s only one focus in Ireland this month

By Ed Forry
February 27, 2014

BY JUDY ENRIGHT
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
The headlines and focus for the month of March belong to Ireland’s patron saint and the many festivities that will be held in his honor here and in Ireland. Head for Dublin and you can enjoy the annual St. Patrick’s Festival from March 14 to 17 with numerous events including an Irish craft beer and food market, walking tour, funfairs, music and street performances, and a parade at noon on the 17th with marching bands from all over the world.

Out of Order- Belfast Orangeman issues 'warning' on speaking Irish language

By Bill O'Donnell
February 27, 2014
Bill O'Donnell

By Bill O’Donnell
Orange Order’s Ignorance Not Helpful – The Derry Journal was spot on when they criticized a senior Orangeman for issuing a “word of warning” to Protestants against learning the Irish language. The Belfast County Grand Master, George Chittick, claimed that speaking Irish was “part of the republican agenda.” The Journal editorial on Feb. 17 called the Orange warning “disgraceful and unsurprising” and ill-informed about Ireland’s native language.

For Boston and Ireland’s West, a better connection

Ed Forry
By Ed Forry
February 27, 2014

By Ed Forry
Even as officials of Tourism Ireland count up the successes of last year’s promotion for “The Gathering Ireland/2013,” the island of Ireland government is gearing up for a new way to encourage North American visitors to put the Emerald Isle into their travel plans. The big tourism push this year centers around the designation of Limerick as Ireland’s “City of Culture Year.” This year alone, the city expects to be the venue for some 200 performances and exhibitions.

The senator is preparing breakfast- History in the making: Dorcena Forry to host St. Patrick’s Day fete

By Ed Forry
February 27, 2014

Congressman Stephen F. Lynch and Rep. Nick Collins joined State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and Dorchester’s Donna Gittens, left, at Castle Island in South Boston on Sunday as the elected officials filmed video in preparation for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast. Forry will host the event on March 16. Photo courtesy Sen. Forry’s officeCongressman Stephen F. Lynch and Rep. Nick Collins joined State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and Dorchester’s Donna Gittens, left, at Castle Island in South Boston on Sunday as the elected officials filmed video in preparation for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast. Forry will host the event on March 16. Photo courtesy Sen. Forry’s office

On Sun., March 16, the date of this year’s traditional St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast in South Boston, state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry will make history. Her first turn as the host of the much-ballyhooed event will provide a political, cultural, and gender “hat trick” at a venue in South Boston that has always been where the Boston Irish “boyos” ruled the podium. As a Haitian American woman, a resident of Dorchester, and the first non-Irish-American host, Dorcena Forry will turn three stereotypes of the breakfast on their heads.

Seamus Heaney tribute planned April 13 at Bridgewater State

By Bill O'Donnell
February 4, 2014
Bill O'Donnell

On Aug. 30 last year, the world lost one of its greatest literary figures, the poet, writer, and Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney. Although he hailed from Ireland, Heaney spent many years in the Boston/Cambridge area, a number of them as Harvard University’s Boylston Professor. 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 lasting friendships with students and faculty.

Pages

Subscribe to Boston Irish RSS