Dr. Tom O'Connor, Boston Irish Historian, at 89; Burial Thursday, May 24

By Ed Forry
May 22, 2012

Thomas H. O'Connor, the University Historian and long-popular professor emeritus of history at Boston College who was widely considered "the dean of Boston’s historians" for his authorship of such critically acclaimed books as Boston Catholics, Civil War Boston and The Boston Irish, died at his Milton, Mass. home on May 20 after suffering a heart attack. He was 89.

Gastronomically speaking, the Irish have the right stuff

By BostonIrish.com... (not verified)
May 9, 2012

Let’s talk food – Irish food. In short, it’s great!

You may still be able to find a pub that serves dry, tasteless ham or cheese sandwiches on bland bread, but for the most part, food is fresh, locally sourced, and truly outstanding and not just in the high-end restaurants. Pubs have come into their own, too, and many serve fresh soups and stews, paninis, and other trendy sandwiches along with other pub fare.

Norfolk MA's 15 year old Melissa McCarthy is All Ireland dance champ

By Bill O’Donnell
May 1, 2012
Bill O’Donnell

Give The Little Lady A Big Hand—This Norfolk, Massachusetts, dancer doesn’t need much of an introduction to Boston Irish dance fans, given her appearances in Riverdance and Brian O’Donavan’s Celtic Sojourn and her talents as a gifted dance instructor, but now Melissa McCarthy, 15, has a new title: winner of the prestigious World Irish Dancing Championship held last month in Belfast. She bested girls in the age 15-16 category in the Waterfront Hall contest.

Irish president will preside over Famine events

By Ed Forry
May 1, 2012

President Michael D Higgins arrives in Boston for May 5 Faneuil Hall event
By the BIR Staff
Boston’s Irish community is preparing to welcome Michael D. Higgins, the ninth and current President of Ireland, on his arrival in the city on Sat., May 5, for a whirlwind two-day visit that will coincide with Boston’s designation by the Irish government as the official site of the international commemoration of the Irish Famine.

Tourism Ireland group in Boston visit, extole big tourist season

By Ed Forry
April 26, 2012

Tourism Ireland: Participants in Tourism Ireland's April 25 "Jump Into Ireland" presentation at the Exchange Conference Center on Boston Harbor pose for a photo with Ireland Consul General Michael Lonergan (seated at center). BIR photo by Ed ForryTourism Ireland: Participants in Tourism Ireland's April 25 "Jump Into Ireland" presentation at the Exchange Conference Center on Boston Harbor pose for a photo with Ireland Consul General Michael Lonergan (seated at center). BIR photo by Ed Forry

Don't just come and see the island of Ireland in 2012 but ‘Jump In’. That was the message as Tourism Ireland launched its new brand to a gathering of Boston travel trade partners and industry media at Boston Exchange Conference Center on Wednesday evening. ‘Jump into Ireland’ describes the joyful immersion of a trip to Ireland. That sense of uplifting joy as you take part in our diverse iconic experiences and engage with our welcoming people. This theme will dominate Tourism Ireland’s advertising, consumer and trade promotional activities, co-operative campaigns and media outreach in 2012, and also be a focus for extensive social media campaigns to drive awareness of the unique nature of a vacation to the island of Ireland.

A castle for the night? Ireland has plenty to offer

By BostonIrish.com... (not verified)
April 13, 2012

Irish castleIrish castle

Elegant castles and ruins are scattered across the Irish countryside and add an air of romance and mystery to this mystical island. It’s fun trying to imagine life in those feudal days and how castle dwellers coped without instant communication, grocery stores, or malls.

Some of these castles and tower houses have been restored, with many of the larger castles now serving as deluxe hotels, including Ashford, Kilkea, Dromoland, Kilronan, Abbeyglen, andf Ballynahinch.

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