Irish Massachusetts

Congratulations to Irish fiddler Seamus Connolly, winner of this year's Boston College Arts Council Faculty Award .  The prestigious award was presented to Connolly on Friday, April 25 at the annual Arts Festival that took place on campus. "Each year, the Boston College Arts Council recognizes an alumnus, a faculty member, and several students for their accomplishments and contributions to the arts in various disciplines," according to the Arts Council press release .  "Alumni and faculty award recipients serve as role models, inspiring and guiding developing young artists in the BC community." Connolly is the "Sullivan Artist in Residence" at Boston College, and one of the most accomplished Irish musicians of his generation, as performer, composer, publisher and educator.  The County Clare native formed BC's Gaelic Roots program in 1991, and since then the program has brought to campus the world's finest performers in Irish, Sco

If you’re looking to discover one of Ireland’s most authentic stops along the Wild Atlantic Way , then take the Spiddal Road out of Galway City and drive about a dozen miles until you reach Spiddal, a beautiful seaside village where students from around the world travel to learn the Irish language and to immerse themselves in pure Irish culture. It is here you’ll find Gannon’s Traditional Irish Music Shop , run by two outstanding traditional musicians, Colm Gannon and his wife Kelly Gannon . The shop opened last year, and already has become a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike who cherish traditional Irish music. With a fine selection of CDs, tapes and records, a variety of tune books, and some exquisite instruments, like the Bosca Ceoil button accordion made by Italian instrument master Manfrini, the Gannons specialize in instrument accessories and advice on where to find the best nightly music. A main feature of the shop is the music school on the premise

Irish uilleann piper Tommy Keane and his wife, concertina player Jackqueline McCarthy, are performing at the Burren Pub   in Davis Square, Somerville, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the show are $23 and can be reserved online , or purchased at the door.  The duo, based in Ireland, will be joined by friends and family on stage.  Jacqueline is part of a legendary musical family from County Clare, which includes her brother, fiddler Tommy McCarthy , who runs the Burren with his wife, musician Louise Costello. The concert is part of the Burren Back Room Series , a year round slate of intimate concerts featuring some of the world's finest traditional musicians.  Find year round details on Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts by visiting IrishMassachusetts.com. For visitor information go to BostonUSA.com and MassVacation.com .

Tempest, one of the world's enduring Celtic rock bands, is performing at the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance, and $15 the day of the show.  To reserve tickets call (401) 725-9272.  The band, based in San Francisco and originally from Oslo, Norway,  is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.  Combining Irish and Scottish melodies with Norwegian and world music influences, Tempest has a distinct sound that has helped to popularize the Celtic rock genre.  Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts at Blackstone River Theatre .  For year round details on Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com . 

Photo by Colette Quinlin  Materials and personal notes left by people from around the world at Copley Square park  in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 have been preserved and are being put on display at the Boston Public Library from April 7 through May 11, 2014. The exhibit, " Dear Boston: Messages from the Marathon Memorial ," was painstakingly preserved and then put into context and form, thanks to a close collaboration of the Boston City Archives , Boston Art Commission , N ew England Museum Association , Boston Public Library , and Iron Mountain . "Dear Boston represents our strength and solidarity not only as a city, but also as a community that supports one another through even the most difficult of times," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh . "I encourage people – residents and visitors alike – to visit the exhibition, experience the resilience of the people of Boston, and view the messages of hope and healing."

Irish music duo Matt and Shannon Heaton are performing at the Chatham Fiddle Company , in Chatham, Cape Cod, on Friday, April 4, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $20. The husband-wife duo, based in Massachusetts, has been praised by The Boston Globe for "masterful and inventive" playing, while the Boston Herald calls their music "brilliant, American-bred Irish folk." Located at 875 Main Street in the seaside town of Chatham, the Chatham Fiddle Company offers a variety of hand-crafted musical instruments, lessons, and ongoing concerts throughout the year.  For more information contact 508 348-1885 or chathamfiddlecompany@gmail.com. Find year round details on Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts and New England by visiting IrishMassachusetts.com . For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com .

Sean Tyrrell , one of Ireland's most renowned traditional singers, is performing at the Burren Pub in Davis Square, Somerville, on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the show are $23 and can be purchased online . The show is part of the Burren Backroom Series ,  which features world-class musicians from the Irish, Scottish, American and Canadian traditions.  The series is hosted by Brian O'Donovan   of WGBH's Celtic Sojourn radio program. Originally from Galway, Sean has toured the world as a solo performer and with some of Ireland's greatest musicians.  He has produced numerous albums, and issued a double-CD called Message of Peace, on the life of John Boyle O'Reilly , considered to be one of Boston's most influential Irish immigrants in the 19th century. The Burren Pub is owned and operated by Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello , two fine traditional musicians in their own right.  For more information about Irish cultural activities

The Boston Irish community is coming together this month for Katie O'Halloran of Cill Chiarain, Connemara, Galway, a talented young woman who needs prosthetic arms to help her reach her full potential in life.  The event takes place from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the IBEW Hall on Freeport Street in Dorchester. Katie was born with Femur Fibula Ulna Syndrome , a condition that left her without arms and with a deformed right leg.  She has overcome great physical challenges in her life and has become an accomplished young woman.  She traveled to New York to participate in a sports tournament for the physically challenged, and came away with nine gold medals.  In 2012 she graduated from the National University of Ireland in Galway, and is now earning a Master's Degree in Public Law. A group formed in Galway,named "Katie Born to Run," has been organizing road races and other activities to raise funds.  A number of runners from I