The Charitable Society to Irish honor Joseph P. Kennedy lll and Martina Curtin at Silver Key Award Reception Nov. 5 at Venezia Restaurant, Dorchester  (Note change of Venue)

By Catherine Shannon,
Society Past President

The Charitable Irish Society will honor Joseph P. Kennedy III and Martina Curtin at its 25th Annual Silver Key Awards ceremony on Nov. 5 at the Venezia Restaurant in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood

In keeping with our society motto “With Good Will Doing Service” and in their respective roles as a dedicated public servant and an innovative leader in Irish cultural organizations, both honorees have made significant contributions to improve the lives of recent immigrants and refugees and to strengthen the links between Ireland and the United States. 

Like our past honorees, Joe Kennedy and Martina Curtin embody the leadership, generosity and enduring commitment to Ireland and its diaspora that has defined the Charitable Irish Society for 289 years.

Joe Kennedy was born and raised in the Boston area, and his lengthy career in public service has been his commitment to serving marginalized and impoverished communities. In Congress he was a strong advocate of comprehensive immigration reform and civil rights for all American residents.

Mr. Kennedy’s work as President Biden’s Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs is especially meaningful to the Charitable Irish Society, given its founding by Ulstermen in 1737 and its record in support of peace and reconciliation there. 

Between 2022 and 2024, he played a critical role in advancing significant inward investment and economic opportunity as a foundation for lasting peace, and he reinforced America’s commitment to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The future for the people of Northern Ireland is much brighter owing to Joe Kennedy’s personal and professional commitment to advance their welfare. 

In honoring Joe Kennedy, the Charitable Irish Society also highlights our historic links with his forebears who were Society members, including Mayor John “Honey” Fitzgerald, Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy, Lt. Joseph Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy, and US Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

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 Born in Kilshanny in north Co. Clare, the eldest of eleven children, Martina Curtin emigrated to Boston in 1999.  As the first woman President of the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) in Canton, Martina has demonstrated her deep love of her Irish heritage by organizing innovative programming that preserves and expands participation in and knowledge of Ireland’s cultural heritage. She has established strong connections between the ICC and the Greater Boston community. 

Under her dynamic leadership, the ICC serves as “a home away from home” for recent Irish immigrants as well as for the older generation who arrived in the 1970s and 1980s. The local Irish diaspora now enjoy a wide variety of programming that include children’s activities, gatherings for senior citizens, public lectures on Irish history and culture and on-line courses in Irish History. 

A sign of the Centre’s growing national reputation was its hosting of the American national GAA finals in August that attracted teams and GAA fans from all over the country.  

Martina also is the president of Mná Mheiriceá, a networking organization that advances professional growth and well-being for Irish and Irish American women. 

The tireless commitment of both honorees to assist others reflects the very values that the Society’s Silver Key Awards honor – “With Good Will Doing Service.”

All are welcome to attend the Nov. 5 event at the on Thursday, November 5, from 6:00- 8:30 pm at the Venezia Restaurant, 20 Ericsson Street,  Dorchester MA 02122 Proceeds will support immigrants in need. Reservations, tickets, directions, and sponsorship information are available on the Society’s website, charitableirish.org