‘A Broth of a Boy’

By R. J. Donovan, Special to the BIR
August 31, 2012
R. J. Donovan, Special to the BIR

The life and times of Brendan Behan, one of Ireland’s most colorful writers, are in the spotlight this month in “A Broth of a Boy.” The one-man show, starring Danny Venezia, is being presented from Sept. 25 to Oct. 7 at The Arsenal Center for the Arts in Waltham.

Aside from being a gifted poet, novelist and playwright, Behan is renowned for having joined the IRA. at the age of 16. His play “Borstal Boy” tells the autobiographical story of his time in a youth prison in England following his mission to blow up the Liverpool docks.

Irish Democrats Rally Behind President Obama; Create new SuperPac

Ed Forry
By Ed Forry
August 31, 2012

Coming soon: ‘McBlackpac’
BY ED FORRY
Even as the Republican party met in Tampa in late August to nominate Bain Capital’s Willard “Mitt” Romney and his running mate, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, a group of Irish Americans were getting ready to troop to Charlotte for the Democrat convention that will nominate President Obama and VP Joe Biden.

Paul Ryan, The Bean Counter, and the Truth

By Bill O'Donnell
August 31, 2012
Bill O'Donnell

Where to start with Willard Romney’s partner in duplicity. He is trying to shrink the budget, but, as with many of his ideological compatriots, he can’t stay away from the big money earmark giveaways for his hometown. He used to believe in Ayn Rand and her brand of selfishness, but that doesn’t play well with his fellow Catholics, so he left her and joyously re-embraced his childhood faith. Paul Ryan’s budget plan was endorsed by Romney, but on the trail the Belmont weathervane, without a budget himself, reminds people that he’s the boss and Ryan’s plan is not his, at least not quite.

3rd Annual Boston Irish Honors 2012 Luncheon Oct.19; Congressman Neal, Muse Family, Feeney Brothers named Honorees

By Ed Forry
August 16, 2012

Announcing a very special event- Boston Irish Honors 2012
The Boston Irish Reporter, the region's leading chronicler of all things Irish-American, will celebrate its 22nd anniversary with a Celebratory Luncheon on Friday, October 19, 2012 in the main ballroom of Boston's Seaport Hotel.

Tommy Fleming to sing at City Hall in Peabody Sept. 7, 8

By Sean Smith, Special to the Reporter
August 3, 2012
Sean Smith, Special to the Reporter

Tommy Fleming, whose powerful, passionate interpretations of songs old and new, traditional and contemporary, have made him one of Ireland’s most popular vocalists, will perform two shows next month at Peabody City Hall.
Fleming will give concerts on Sept. 7 and 8, both at 7 p.m., in city hall’s Frank L. Wiggin Auditorium. Tickets for the shows are $30 (orchestra tables), $25 (balcony tables) and $20 (balcony seats). For information, call the Office of the Mayor at 978-538-5704.

Harrington’s in Wakefield offers spirit aplenty on Wednesday nights

By Ed Forry
August 3, 2012


Harrington’s Food and Spirits
Where: 17 Water St., Wakefield
When: Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m.
Began: 2005

Location isn’t necessarily a big consideration for session-goers – compared to concerns like “How many people will fit into the place?” or “Can you hear yourself at all?” – but Terry Weir feels it’s definitely a virtue of the session he organizes and co-leads at Harrington’s.

Trolley Tour GM takes to stage for role in Wilde drama

By R.J. Donovan
August 3, 2012
R.J. Donovan

Matthew Murphy appears as Oscar Wilde's attorney this month at the Boston Ctr for the ArtsMatthew Murphy appears as Oscar Wilde's attorney this month at the Boston Ctr for the ArtsMatthew Murphy wears a lot of hats in life. By day, he’s General Manager of Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston. After hours, he’s a trained singer and actor. Either way, he’s always on stage.
In addition to his full-time tourism duties, the Dorchester resident spent a decade singing with The Handel & Haydn Society. He’s also served as bass soloist at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church. Last year he appeared in a staged reading of Marina Carr’s “Marble” as part of the Irish Festival at ArtsEmerson. And this month, from August 11 - 26, he’s appearing in the Bad Habits Production of Moises Kaufman’s “Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde” at the Boston Center for the Arts.

‘Why are you here?” the priest asked him; after a while, Sean Connor figured it out

By Greg O’Brien, Special to the Reporter
August 2, 2012
Greg O’Brien, Special to the Reporter

Fr. Sean Connor, pictured with a 2012 1st Communion Class at St. Ann's Church, DorchesterFr. Sean Connor, pictured with a 2012 1st Communion Class at St. Ann's Church, Dorchester
Sean Connor is an unlikely priest. The son of a Milton police officer, the brother of a state trooper, a former Marshfield cop himself, the brother of a legendary Boston art thief and self-professed “President of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” a counselor who calls the clergy sex abuse scandal “perverse and evil,” he is the antithesis of today’s public perception of what it means to be a priest. And yet in so many ways, he embodies the resurrection of the church from its latest crisis, a hope for the future.

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