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Here and There
Norfolk MA's 15 year old Melissa McCarthy is All Ireland dance champ
May. 1, 2012

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. Melissa learned to dance at the Harney Academy of Irish Dance in Walpole, founded by Liam Harney, himself a world champion. Harney’s mother, Sally, an accomplished Irish set dancer, teaches at the academy.

Breaking News
Irish president will preside over Famine events
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.
Higgins will preside over several famine-related events in Boston, and will deliver a lecture on the “Great Hunger” and its impact on Ireland and Boston at Faneuil Hall on the morning of his arrival. The Boston observance will precede by a week the official Irish commemoration in Drogheda, Co. Louth, on May 13.

Breaking News
Eire Society Gold Medals to Tynan and Mulligan
May. 1, 2012

The Eire Society of Boston will present its highest award to famed tenor Ronan Tynan and Seamus Mulligan, host of the weekly “Feast of Irish Music Show” on WROL in Boston, at the society’s 75th Gold Medal Awards dinner on Thurs., May 10, at 6 p.m. at The Hampshire House on Beacon Street in Boston.

Breaking News
Tourism Ireland group in Boston visit, extole big tourist season
Apr. 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.

Traveling People
A castle for the night? Ireland has plenty to offer
Apr. 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.

Breaking News
President Higgins in Boston Visit May 5
Apr. 3, 2012

The Irish Consulate in Boston has confirmed that Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins will make an official visit to the city on May 5, and will officiate in ceremonies in remembrance of the Irish Famine.

Traveling People
Addergoole Parish remembers a ‘very sad human story’
Mar. 5, 2012

14 from its pews boarded the Titanic, only 3 survived; Memorial Week is April 8-15

LehardaneLehardane

Catherine Bourke, Nora Fleming, Delia Mahon, Annie McGowan, John Bourke, Annie Kate Kelly, Pat Canavan, Delia McDermott, Mary Mangan, Kate McGowan, James Flynn, Bridget Donohue, Mary Bourke, and Mary Canavan.

The names don’t mean much to most of us but they bring tears to the eyes of many in the North Mayo parish of Addergoole. The Addergoole Fourteen, as the group is known, struck out from the hills and valleys around Nephin Mountain 100 years ago next month – some in jaunting carts, others on foot – and crossed the Windy Gap into Castlebar where they took the first of several trains to Queenstown (now Cobh.) There they settled into steerage (third class) on the RMS Titanic to laugh, chat, dance, and sing as they prepared for the long ride to America and their bright new lives.

Here and There
The Chieftains At 50: Better than Ever
Apr. 3, 2012

The Irish Taoiseach calls them “living treasures whose music has transcended all boundaries.” And ain’t it the truth. After 50 years as a major international music group, the Chieftains, led as they have been since the beginning by Paddy Moloney, have won just about every award imaginable for their richly nuanced traditional Irish music offerings.

Profile
For Matthew Power, risk is often its own reward
Mar. 6, 2012

Matthew Power is a study in risk and redemption. The 49-year-old Boston insurance man – he is executive vice president of Lexington Insurance Company, the nation’s premier excess and surplus carrier— has been well acquainted with the concept since his days as a youth on the streets of West Roxbury during Boston’s bruising busing crisis.

Breaking News
Honors luncheon hails Irish heritage
Nov. 14, 2011

The scene on Thurs., Oct. 20 at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. Photo by Margaret Brett Hastings.The scene on Thurs., Oct. 20 at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. Photo by Margaret Brett Hastings.

Some 400 well-wishers gathered at the Seaport Hotel on Oct. 20 to celebrate with the awardees at the second annual Boston Irish Honors event sponsored by the Boston Irish Reporter (Download complete program).

Dick Flavin was the master of ceremonies who, after a vigorous rendition of "Casey at the Bat," with Ted Williams playing the part of Casey, introduced the honorees:

State Sen. Tom Kennedy of Brockton; Kathleen O'Toole, who has served in law-enforcement posts locally and is now finishing up a stint as Chief Inspector of the Garda Force in Ireland; and three local families, the Corcorans, the Hunts, and the Mulvoys.

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Certificate of Irish Heritage

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