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Massport Celebrates the 2024 Cruise Season at Flynn Cruiseport, Honors Maritime Champion Award to State Rep David Biele

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Norwegian Gem, photo courtesy of Massport Today, Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) joined elected officials and community stakeholders to celebrate the start of the 2024 cruise season at Flynn Cruiseport Boston , which runs through November. Read full press release . Building upon the success of last year, Massport expects to welcome 169 vessels from 25 cruise lines, an increase of 15% over 2023. The Norwegian Gem (see photo) is just one of the eight ships homeporting in Boston this season and offers weekly sailings to Bermuda through August, followed by sailings to the Canada/New England coastline through October. Among the sailings this season are 79 homeport calls that bring cruise passengers to Bermuda, Canada/New England, and various cruises to Iceland/Greenland, Europe, and the Caribbean. Cruiseport will also welcome 90 port of call visits so that tourists on other itineraries can stop in Boston and explore all the region has to offer. State Representative David Biele Mass
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Gaelic Athletic Games (GAA) Taking Place at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, MA on May 4-5

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Photo Courtesy of Irish Cultural Centre The  Gaelic Athletic Association's Boston/Northeastern Division  has a full weekend of exciting games and activities on Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5 at the  Irish Cultural Centre  in Canton, as a ramp up to the  upcoming season . On Saturday afternoon, starting at 2:30 p.m., a full round of the  Pat O'Brien Cup  matches takes place, with teams from across New England playing in elimination matches in order to reach the finals. Photo Courtesy of Irish Cultural Centre Prior to the GAA matches at the Irish Cultural Centre, the GAA is offering a Referee's course on Saturday at 8:30 a.m., for those interested in becoming referees this summer or for just brushing up on the rules. At 11:30 a.m., GAA is offering a CPR course  for those who want to learn these important lifesaving skills. A new AED (automated external defibrillator) is located behind the scoreboard. The fee for the course is $50 and the class covers adult, children and infant
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New Exhibit on John F. Kennedy Jr. Opens at the John F. Kennedy Museum in Hyannis, Cape Cod

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A poignant exhibit entitled “ We Remember John F. Kennedy, Jr. ” is on display at the John F. Kennedy Museum in Hyannis, Cape Cod now through December 2024.   It features President Kennedy ’s beloved son John Jr. in an array of extraordinary images of John Jr. alone, and with his father, mother, sister, and wife.   Arranged thematically, the exhibit uses video, photos, quotes, text, and artifacts to lovingly portray John F. Kennedy Jr. who, like his father, had every gift but length of years.  Born two weeks after JFK was elected President of the United States, John F. Kennedy Jr. grew up in the spotlight. Whether it was at Hyannis Port, at the White House during his father’s presidency or years later in Manhattan, JFK Jr. captivated the world.  Along with his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and her sister Lauren, JFK Jr. died in a plane crash off Martha’s Vineyard on July 16, 1999, on the way to a cousin’s wedding at the Kennedy Compound on Cape Cod. He was 38 years old.  As his un
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Irish Traditional Music Festivals and Summer Schools in Ireland in Summer 2024

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FLEADH CHEOIL NA hÉHIREANN Ireland's traditional music is one of the world's most vibrant and enduring folk traditions, and retains its vitality and relevance year after year, producing new generations of musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers. Start your musical journal this summer by visiting these traditional music gatherings,  and also check out  live Irish music, readily found in pubs and cafes, street corners and town squares and concert halls across the island of Ireland.  GAIRLOCH The 52nd Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, from July 6-14, honors Ireland’s great uilleann piping tradition, exemplified by Clare’s own Willie Clancy himself.  This year the event welcomes the Canadian group Gairloch, to teach at the summer school and perform recitals and concerts throughout the week. MARY DILLON, DÓNAL O'CONNOR & NEIL MARTIN The 6th Annual Belfast Trad Fest and Summer School in Northern Ireland’s capital city, from July
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Upcoming Literary Festivals in Ireland, May through July, 2024

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  Bloomsday Celebration Ireland’s reputation as a wellspring of literary genius is well-known across the world. This nation of storytellers, poets, novelists and writers from every genre gather regularly to celebrate the written word, to meet other writers and to interact directly with book lovers. Check out one of the island’s storied literary festivals in 2024 to be inspired yourself. Alice McDermott The  Listowell Writers' Week  in Co. Kerry, from May 29-June 2 is Ireland’s oldest literary and arts festival. Since 1971, writers have been flocking to the festival to read their work to discerning audiences, take part in creative writing workshops, and soak up the incredible beauty of Listowel and the Kerry countryside. This year’s featured writer is New York novelist Alice McDermott, whose work brilliantly captures the Irish Diaspora’s deep connections to Ireland. Since 1994, Dublin’s James Joyce Centre has organized the annual  Bloomsday Celebration , taking place this year from
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On Earth Day, Ireland Announces its First Marine National Park in County Kerry

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Conor Pass, County Kerry   (April 22, 2024) Ireland announced today that it is creating Ireland’s first Marine National Park - Páírc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí -  in County Kerry, as part of the country's 2024 Earth Day celebrations. The Pairc includes the Conor Pass, as well as new sites at Inch Peninsula, Mount Brandon and the Owenmore River in Co. Kerry, and is enriched by the inclusion of nature and heritage places managed by OPW, Commissioner for Irish Lights and BirdWatch Ireland. It will be dedicated to the protection and restoration of its internationally significant biodiversity and archaeological heritage.  See the video here.   According to a press release issued today: The new Páirc, which is centred around Corca Dhuibhne in Co. Kerry, will unite some of Europe’s most ecologically valuable places in celebration of nature across 70,000 acres of lands and seas. It brings together new acquisitions by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, such as the Conor
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Massachusetts Senate Resolution Commends Boston Irish Tourism Association for its Role in Promoting Irish Culture and Heritage in March 2024

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Massachusetts State Senator Nick Collins and his colleagues in the Senate issued a Resolution commending the Boston Irish Tourism Association and its partners on celebrating St. Patrick's Day and Irish Heritage Month throughout the Commonwealth in March 2024.  The Resolution praised the Boston Irish Tourism Association for its work "with state and regional tourism councils, cities, towns and cultural venues to promote the Commonwealth as a visitor destination," and for its work "with Tourism Ireland and Massport to strengthen travel ties between the Commonwealth and Ireland throughout the year." The Resolution also recognized the  Boston Irish Heritage Trail  on its 30th anniversary this summer 2024 as "a premier history trail depicting more than 300 years of illustrious contributions made by Irish-Americans" in Boston and Massachusetts.  The Resolution was submitted by Senator Collins and co-sponsored by the following state senators:  Senator Micha
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