As days get longer, the music heats up

By Sean Smith
February 7, 2013
Sean Smith

BY SEAN SMITH
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
While it may have only 28, or sometimes 29, days, February (along with the early part of March) can seem like the longest month: closer to spring than January, but often with cold, wintry weather and days that gradually but oh-so-slowly get longer. Fortunately, the Greater Boston area has plenty of Irish and Celtic music events this period to brighten spirits. Here’s a sampling:

What are you going to do with your life? ‘I’m going to play music,’ said Colm Gannon

By Sean Smith
February 7, 2013
Sean Smith

BY SEAN SMITH
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
There was never any doubt, really, that Colm Gannon would play music – nor any doubt as to what kind of music, nor which instrument he would use to play it. Not with a father who is an accomplished Irish accordion player, and an older brother following suit.
But then, Gannon hardly needed any nudging to take up the box. Quite the opposite.

Hollywood disrupts a rural Kerry village in Lyric Stage’s ‘Stones In His Pockets’

By R.J.Donovan
February 7, 2013
R.J.Donovan

BY R. J. DONOVAN
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
This month, Lyric Stage Company of Boston is presenting “Stones In His Pockets,” the poignant but very funny tale of what happens when a movie crew descends upon a village in County Kerry.
As the story unfolds, two local guys, Charlie and Jake, secure jobs as extras in the movie but soon find the film business is far from the glittering world they expected. Ultimately, they decide to write a film of their own to tell what actually happens to a small town and its people when Hollywood takes over.

After we take our last at-bats, is that really the end of the game?

By Ed Forry
February 7, 2013

BY JAMES W. DOLAN
SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER
A close friend of mine died recently. He had been sick for a while so it did not come as a complete surprise. As we aged, we would often talk of the inevitability of death and the importance of being prepared for it.
We joked we were in life’s on-deck circle, waiting with others to be called to bat. From this at-bat nobody returns. You can only hope your turn in the batter’s box will be delayed.

In 2012, the Irish American Partnership raised $692,730 to support its mission

By Joe Leary
February 7, 2013
Joe Leary

BY JOE LEARY
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
Five Irish universities, ninety-four primary schools in the Republic, fifteen primary and secondary schools in Northern Ireland, and twelve community groups throughout Ireland received support from the Irish American Partnership in 2012 – a total of 126 schools and organizations benefitting from Irish America’s love of their heritage.
Revenue for 2012 – $692,730 – was up 15 percent over 2011 with 89 percent spent on the Partnership’s mission in Ireland.

The Irish Social Club is ready for the future

By Ed Forry
February 7, 2013

BY JACKIE GENTILE
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
The Irish Social Club of Boston is back and offering a thousand welcomes to members, guests, and inquisitive minds alike at its West Roxbury home. The club acquired a permanent liquor license early last month and so the 119 Park St. fixture, which earlier had obtained an entertainment license, is once again open for business.

BC High’s Mary Madden, math teacher, had a goal: Help my students to excel beyond their expectations

By Greg O'Brien
February 7, 2013
Greg O'Brien

BY GREG O’BRIEN
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
Veteran Boston College High School Principal Stephen Hughes doesn’t play favorites at the prestigious all-boys Jesuit prep on Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester, an institution rooted in the 16th century teachings of the Spaniard St. Ignatius Loyola. Unless, of course, Hughes is talking about the best teacher he has encountered in his 30 years at the school.
Hands down, that would be Mary Madden.

Connemara’s charming Lough Inagh: More home than hotel

By Ed Forry
February 7, 2013

BY JUDY ENRIGHT
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
Would I ever steer you wrong about Ireland and all things Irish? No, I never, ever would.
So, I love it when I mention my favorite tourist attractions and accommodations and others agree. For instance, Ireland’s hospitality industry magazine, Hotel and Catering Review, recently chose my favorite hotel – Lough Inagh Lodge in Connemara – as the best country house for 2012. This was the second consecutive year that Lough Inagh won the Gold Medal, the top award. They were also runner-up another year.

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