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Taoiseach at BC ‘Let go, let fly, forget.
You’ve listened long enough’

By Ed Forry, June 3, 2013

Following are excerpts taken from the commencement address given by Mr. Enda Kenny TD, Prime Minister of Ireland, at Boston College on May 20:

As leader of the people of Ireland, Munitir na hEireann, I’m honored to speak here today and be admitted to the distinguished ranks of the alumni of Boston College. Your invitation signals the enduring kindness and affection between our peoples. It symbolizes the bond of ‘hope and history’ between two nations either side of the Atlantic.
In St Patrick’s Week, I travelled across America, leaving an icy New York, for a rain-soaked Seattle. I felt right at home. Not only because both cities shared Ireland’s propensity for sleet, but because everywhere I went, there and in between, the love and concern for Ireland, and the Irish people, were palpable. Read more

Eire Society will honor IIIC’s Sister Lena Deevy with Gold Medal

By Ed Forry, April 8, 2013

After 24 years as executive director of the organization she founded, Boston’s Irish International Immigrant Center, Sister Lena Deevy has stepped down. Her energetic and committed stewardship of the IIIC has been recognized by Ireland and America with national honors from both countries, and now it is time to honor the immigrants’ friend here at home. Read more

NewsNotes from Around Boston

By Ed Forry, April 8, 2013

US, Canada help boost Irish tourism to healthy numbers
More gains seen for 2013 as ‘Gathering’ takes hold
BIR Staff
More than one million people from the US and Canada – a 3 percent increase on the previous year – visited the island of Ireland in 2012 acclording to figures recently released from Ireland’s Central Statistics Office. Gioven those numbers, revenue to the Irish economy from North America increased year-to-year by a strong 9.3 percent, to 742 million euros. Read more

Charitable Irish to honor Labor Leader Sweeney

By Ed Forry, March 6, 2013

Charitable Irish to honor AFL-CIO’s John J. Sweeney at 276th anniversary dinner
The Charitable Irish Society of Boston will welcome John J. Sweeney, president emeritus of the AFL-CIO, as its honored guest and keynote speaker at the society’s 276th anniversary dinner on St. Patrick’s Day, Sun., March 17. Read more

Gavin Foundation helps those in recovery find a haven

By BIR News Room, March 1, 2013

By Jackie Gentile
Special to the BIR

It can be difficult for those recovering from alcohol or drug abuse to find a place that not only welcomes them, but also helps them navigate their return to their community and their families. The Gavin Foundation in South Boston does just that and has recently expanded to do even more. Read more

Sister Lena Deevy steps down as IIIC head; Millar succeed center’s founder

By BIR News Room, March 1, 2013

The Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC) announced last month that after 24 years as executive director of the center, Sister Lena Deevy LSA has decided to step down from her day-to-day responsibilities, and to take up the role of executive director emerita, effective April 1. Sister Lena will be succeeded by Ronnie Millar, who has served as deputy director for the past two years. Read more

North End’s St. Stephen Church celebrates sesquicentennial

By BIR News Room, October 4, 2012

By Patrick E. O’Connor

St. Stephen Church, circa 1960St. Stephen Church, circa 1960
The 150th anniversary of the establishment of St. Stephen Church on Hanover Street in the North End was remembered with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, September 23 with Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Hennessey presiding.

St. Stephen Church was originally the New North Congregational Church. Boston born Charles Bulfinch, the nation’s premier architect of the time, received the commission to design a church to replace a previous church at Hanover and Clark Streets in 1802. The church was completed in 1804 and by 1814, renamed the Second Unitarian Church.

During the Civil War era, the Unitarian congregation declined as the immigrant population of the North End swelled. A previously established St. John the Baptist Church on Moon Street had outgrown its use. Father John J. Williams, administrator at the time and later Archbishop of Boston, purchased the church on September 26, 1862 for $35,000. He dedicated the church to St. Stephen, the first Christian Martyr on December 2, 1862. Read more

Weekend to remember for Tip O’Neill’s clan

By Ed Forry, October 3, 2012

By Liam Ferrie
Special to the BIR

The O’Neill clan gathers with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Dublin on September 6. Pictured, l-r: Michael O’Neill, Jr., grandson of Speaker O’Neill Thomas P. O’Neill III, son of Speaker O’Neill, Shelly O’Neill, Thomas P. O’Neill III’s wife, Taoiseach, Rosemary The O’Neill clan gathers with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Dublin on September 6. Pictured, l-r: Michael O’Neill, Jr., grandson of Speaker O’Neill Thomas P. O’Neill III, son of Speaker O’Neill, Shelly O’Neill, Thomas P. O’Neill III’s wife, Taoiseach, Rosemary

BUNCRANA, Co. Donegal –The late Tip O’Neill was no doubt looking down with a huge smile on his face on events in Buncrana on the first weekend of September. His lifetime achievements were being acknowledged by the people of the County Donegal town near which his grandmother was born and it was all taking place in the presence of his many descendants, including his sons Tom and Christopher and daughters Susan and Rosemary. Read more

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. Read more

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. Read more

Planning a business trip to the US? Read this first

By Anonymous, August 3, 2012

From the Irish International Immigrant Center

Q. I plan to make a couple of short business trips from Ireland to the US in the near future, to meet with contacts, attend an industry convention, and probably do some contract negotiation. Can I do this without applying for a visa beforehand? Read more

Jack Conway, noted realtor, passes at 88

By Ed Forry, August 3, 2012

John E. “Jack” Conway of Scituate, a noted realtor with a long history in eastern Massachusetts, died on July 23 at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. He was 88.
The loving husband of Patricia (Carroll) Conway, Mr. Conway was the founder and chairman of Jack Conway & Company. Read more

Young champ stayed fit during his Boston visit

By Ed Forry, August 2, 2012

Thomas Carty, Ireland’s reigning Junior Heavyweight boxing champion, visited relatives in Boston this summer and had a chance to train with some of our region’s finest during his visit. Carty, 16, is a member of the Dublin’s famed Corinthians Boxing Club and, thus far, has chalked up an impressive 17-2 record. Read more

BCM Fest for August

By Ed Forry, August 2, 2012

A column of news and updates of the Boston Celtic Music Fest (BCMFest), which celebrates the Boston area’s rich heritage of Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton music and dance with a grassroots, musician-run winter music festival and other events during the year. – SEAN SMITH
Going for a song: The BCMFest series at Club Passim in Harvard Square features a Celtic Music Monday concert event this month, “Songs for a Summer Evening,” on August 13 with Kate Minogue, James Hamilton, Lisa Coyne, and their special guest Jim Prendergast, plus host Sean Smith. Read more

The Boston Irish Festival Schedule

By Ed Forry, June 6, 2012

Here's the line-up of performances and other vevents for this weekend's big three day Irish Festival in Canton: Read more

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