Fleadh achievers reflect on what they got out of it

By Sean Smith
July 3, 2013
Sean Smith

BY SEAN SMITH
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
For some Boston-area Irish musicians, early summer might be called Between-the-Fleadhs season. It’s the period following the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Cheoil – the annual regional Irish music competition, which this year took place May 10-12 in Parsippany, NJ – and the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, or “the All-Irelands” as it’s often called, the summit of Irish music competitions.

Lenahan O'Connell: A hundred years of grasping chances

By Peter Stevens
June 27, 2013
Peter Stevens

BY PETER F. STEVENS
BIR STAFF
On June 6, 2013, Lenahan O’Connell celebrated his 100th birthday. While a handful of people achieve that milestone, it is safe to bet that few do so with a life lived so large on every front. From family and the law to the very history and politics of Boston from the 20th to the 21st centuries, Lenahan, a rock-ribbed Boston Irish Democrat, has done it all, and has done so with a keen sense of justice, humor, hard work, and a commitment to people, whether his clients or those in society who need the most help.

‘Marching Season’ fears reflect ongoing tensions in the North

By Joe Leary
June 27, 2013
Joe Leary

BY JOE LEARY
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
The “Good Friday Agreement” of 1998 has made little difference in the lives of many in Northern Ireland – especially in the disadvantaged areas of both East and West Belfast. Where are the jobs that were promised? The integration? Why the sputtering violence?
Many in the outside world feel the problems of Northern Ireland have been solved, but those closer to the situation know there is deep unrest as both sides feel the threat of coming violence if people’s lives do not improve.

Cape Cod in summer: As green as the saltmarsh

By BostonIrish.com... (not verified)
June 27, 2013

BY GREG O’BRIEN
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
Sláinte! To your good health on Cape Cod, and there is plenty to chose from here, from the Gaelic to the seashore. Cape Cod is closer to Dublin than to Boston, so it should be no surprise that there’s an eclectic range of Irish pubs, restaurants, culture, and accommodations on this fragile spit of sand. The sons of Erin are in bloom from Bourne to Provincetown.

Struggling Irish sheep farmers find tourists can help the cause

By Ed Forry
June 27, 2013

BY JUDY ENRIGHT
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
When life hands them lemons, some creative Irish folks make lemonade.
We probably all remember the Celtic Tiger years in Ireland when the economy was booming and jobs were plentiful. That economy departed, leaving behind many Irish who are now struggling to make a living.

The Markey way will serve us well

Ed Forry
By Ed Forry
June 27, 2013

by Ed Forry
I was in the room on election night on June 25, and I cheered along with hundreds of others as Ed Markey took the stage for the first time as our state’s new US Senator. Born and raised in working-class Malden and a graduate of Malden Catholic, Boston College, and BC Law School, he was the first recipient of a Boston Irish Honors in 2010, when this newspaper celebrated its 20th anniversary.

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