The story of how one Boston Irish business leader stepped up to help in the wake of the terrible earthquake in Haiti typifies the great sense of empathy, compassion and benevolence that is part of the culture of Irish Americans and the Irish around the world. Here’s the story of Kevin Leary, CEO of Valet Parking of New England, (VPNE,) in his own words: “Our company has 47 employees from Haiti -- friendly, talented, and hard working employees. Sadly, many have lost members of their family in the horrific earthquake. Read more
The Irish Immigration Center is partnering with several organizations throughout the city to help Haitian immigrants seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) complete applications by a June deadline. Read more
February 6, 2010 by Jim O'Sullivan, special to the BIR
The Jan. 19 election to succeed Paul Kirk - and Ted Kennedy - in the United States Senate was supposed to be the tripwire. The vote that launched a thousand domino campaigns, Democrats vying against Democrats for seats long held safe by Democrats, and expected to be held by Democrats long into the foreseeable.
Instead, state Sen. Scott Brown's election over Attorney General Martha Coakley has sent the state's plurality party into an unaccustomed place: the wilderness contemplative. Read more
One of the more substantive heroes of the Peace Process in Northern Ireland, Cardinal Cahal Daly, died in a Belfast hospital last month at the age of 92. A saintly man of small stature, the cardinal was trusted by Protestant church leaders on all sides. A quiet man who carried a pleasant wry smile, he served as the bishop of Belfast and the surrounding area during the height of the bombings and shootings that pervaded Northern Ireland in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. Read more
February 6, 2010 by Robert P. Connolly, special to the BIR
Declan Kelly describes himself as "a salesman for Northern Ireland" and like any good salesman, he comes to the job armed with facts and figures - and brimming with energy, determination, and ideas. Read more
February 6, 2010 by Greg O'Brien, special to the BIR
The view is serene from Stephen John Murphy's office on the fifth floor of Boston City Hall. It overlooks Faneuil Hall and a swath of Boston Harbor in the distance on this promising late January day when the sun is a bit higher in the sky and the temperature is flirting with the 50s. Inside this dense concrete bunker, the political climate is chilling, as observers assess the damage from the storm surge of angry voters that swept Scott Brown into the United States Senate faster than you could say "All bets are off!" Read more
January 7, 2010 by Katie Forberg, special to the BIR
When Maureen Gates received a phone call asking if she would like an intern from Ireland, she didn't waste a moment to jump at the opportunity. Gates works on the EagleEyes project at the Boston College Campus School and for the past decade she has helped develop technology for educational and communication purposes for students with severe physical disabilities. After visiting Cork City to implement the technology in a school there, Gates thought it would be beneficial to try to strengthen that relationship. Read more
By Bill O’Donnell Three Penny Opera, Irish Style -- For some in Ireland the New England type of fierce winter weather in recent weeks has been the topic of fireside conversation from Sligo to Kildare. Yet nothing beats a good old-fashioned scandal and the Green Isle currently has three beauts that have dominated --overwhelmed would be more accurate – the national news cycle. Read more
If you've been in Boston for more than a few minutes, you've probably heard Joan Quinn Eastman's voice, and most likely seen her at a social event or even in a movie. The multi-media maven has been involved in Boston's emerging film and television business for years, but has recently taken on a few more projects that are bringing Eastman to whole new audiences. Read more
Boston Irish Commentary
Irish Immigration Center Is Quick to Pitch In
February 6, 2010 by Sue Asci, special to the BIR
The Irish Immigration Center is partnering with several organizations throughout the city to help Haitian immigrants seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) complete applications by a June deadline. Read more
Climate Change in Scott Brown's Massachusetts
February 6, 2010 by Jim O'Sullivan, special to the BIR
The Jan. 19 election to succeed Paul Kirk - and Ted Kennedy - in the United States Senate was supposed to be the tripwire. The vote that launched a thousand domino campaigns, Democrats vying against Democrats for seats long held safe by Democrats, and expected to be held by Democrats long into the foreseeable.
Instead, state Sen. Scott Brown's election over Attorney General Martha Coakley has sent the state's plurality party into an unaccustomed place: the wilderness contemplative. Read more
Cardinal Daly, Leader of Ireland's Catholics During Violent Years in Belfast, and Hero of the Peace Process, is Dead at 92
February 6, 2010 by Joe Leary, special to the BIR
One of the more substantive heroes of the Peace Process in Northern Ireland, Cardinal Cahal Daly, died in a Belfast hospital last month at the age of 92. A saintly man of small stature, the cardinal was trusted by Protestant church leaders on all sides. A quiet man who carried a pleasant wry smile, he served as the bishop of Belfast and the surrounding area during the height of the bombings and shootings that pervaded Northern Ireland in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. Read more
'Salesman' for Northern Ireland Brings Belief, Zest to His Economic Envoy Post
February 6, 2010 by Robert P. Connolly, special to the BIR
Declan Kelly describes himself as "a salesman for Northern Ireland" and like any good salesman, he comes to the job armed with facts and figures - and brimming with energy, determination, and ideas. Read more
Murphy, a Mover on the Boston City Council, Takes Stock of Voter Anger in Mulling Future
February 6, 2010 by Greg O'Brien, special to the BIR
The view is serene from Stephen John Murphy's office on the fifth floor of Boston City Hall. It overlooks Faneuil Hall and a swath of Boston Harbor in the distance on this promising late January day when the sun is a bit higher in the sky and the temperature is flirting with the 50s. Inside this dense concrete bunker, the political climate is chilling, as observers assess the damage from the storm surge of angry voters that swept Scott Brown into the United States Senate faster than you could say "All bets are off!" Read more
Wider Horizons Offers New Career Path for Irish Youth
January 7, 2010 by Katie Forberg, special to the BIR
When Maureen Gates received a phone call asking if she would like an intern from Ireland, she didn't waste a moment to jump at the opportunity. Gates works on the EagleEyes project at the Boston College Campus School and for the past decade she has helped develop technology for educational and communication purposes for students with severe physical disabilities. After visiting Cork City to implement the technology in a school there, Gates thought it would be beneficial to try to strengthen that relationship. Read more
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