February 2017 Boston’s hometown VOL. 28 #2 journal of Irish culture. $2.00 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2017 bostonirish.com Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. ‘BEAUTY QUEEN IS BACK’ Combative parties stir more unrest in the North BiR Staff Once again, the pot is boiling in Belfast. The dissolution last month amidst recriminations over a heating scheme of the power-sharing government of the Democratic Unionist Party’s Arlene Foster, who stepped down as First Minister, and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, the Deputy First Minister who had previously resigned in disgust, mandated a new election for the Northern Ireland Assembly. Voting has been set for Thurs., March 2. Once the ballots are in, the new Assembly will have three weeks to organize itself and elect two new First Ministers. For its part, Sinn Fein has settled on its new leader and its candidate for First Minister Joe Leary analysis Page 4 in the follow-up to the election. She is Michelle O’Neill, who has been serving as health minister for Sinn Fein. The 40-year-old mother of two from Co. Tyrone called her new post “a huge honor.’’ She will be the first Sinn Fein leader with no ties to Marie Mullen and Aisling O’Sullivan clash in Druid Theatre’s production of Martin McDonagh’s “The Beauty Queen of Leen- the era of The Troubles and the ane,” at the Paramount, February 8 - 26. Craig Schwartz photo subsequent halt in the Irish Re- publican Army’s armed struggle Marie Mullen talks about ‘Mag,’ the manipulative mother against British rule in the North. Since the partition of the island By R. J. Donovan offices. Penned by a little-known extraordinary. She was struck “The Lieutenant of Inishmore,” in 1922, Northern Ireland and its Special to the BiR writer, the play would become by the compelling dialogue and and others. people have been in constant con- Druid Theatre Company — “The Beauty Queen of Leenane.” riveting characters. This was Directed by Hynes, “Beauty flict. The Good Friday Agreement founded in Galway in 1975 by Set in a bleak house in rural not a rough draft from a fledging Queen” opened in Galway, trans- of 1998 set up a power-sharing Garry Hynes, Marie Mullen, and Ireland, the dark-but-comic author but a taut, tense, fully ferred to London’s West End, and Assembly to allow all parties the late Mick Lally — stands not subversive thriller examined realized work from someone with then moved on to Broadway. In to feel included. To govern the only as one of the world’s most the cat-and-mouse relationship an exceptional voice. New York, the production was 108-person elected Assembly the respected arts organizations, but between a tyrannical, house- The author was Irish play- nominated for six Tony Awards agreement installed two co-equal also at the forefront of the devel- bound mother and her lonely, wright Martin McDonagh, today and walked away with four. leadership positions called the opment of Irish theatre. isolated daughter. internationally renowned for One went to Ms. Mullen as Best First Minister and the Deputy More than 20 years ago, an As soon as Hynes read the such stage works as “A Skull in Actress and one to Ms. Hynes, First Minister. unsolicited script landed in their piece, she knew the play was Connemara,” “The Pillowman,” (Continued on page 12) April gala to support Ireland’s amateur athletes BiR Staff similar dinners that have been an epic brawl to boot. The Boston Friends of the held in New York, seek to build The real winners— no ques- Gaelic Players Association, in on the momentum of the hugely tion— were fans of the Gaelic partnership with the Irish Amer- successful hurling match be- Games, who hope that the sport ican Partnership, have planned tween Galway and Dublin that will return to Fenway in the near an evening gala in support of the was held at Fenway Park in future for another go. GPA for Fri., April 7 at 60 State November 2015. The April 7 dinner will begin Street in Boston. The Fenway Hurling Classic with a 6 p.m. reception, with A committee of more than 40 drew a crowd of more than 27,000 dinner to follow. Business attire Boston Irish leaders expect as fans to the hallowed grounds — is encouraged. For additional many as 400 guests to celebrate the first such match held in the information and tickets, contact alongside elite amateur Gaelic confines of Fenway since 1954. Therese Murray at the Irish Smiling faces and rugged play dominated the scene at Fenway Park on Nov. 22, 2015 as Galway beat Dublin in an exhibition players past and present. Or- Galway bested the Dubs 50-47 in American Partnership at 617- a bruising battles that featured 723-2707 or [email protected]. hurling match under drizzly skies. ganizers, hoping to replicate Photos courtesy of Fenway Sports Group I work in Hollywood but I keep my money in my hometown-Kevin Chapman Check out City of Boston Credit Union - visit CityofBostonCU.com Page 2 February 2017 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR bostonirish.com BRETT’S BOSTON By Harry Brett Exclusive photos of Boston Irish people & events Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith discussed her new book, “The Nine of Us: Growing Up Ken- nedy,” with her son, Stephen Smith, at a Kennedy Library forum on Jan. 24. The event took place in Stephen Smith Hall, the function hall dedicated in memory of her late husband. Pulitzer Prize- winning former Boston Globe columnist eileen McNamara moderated. 1.) Steven Rothstein executive Director JFK Library Foundation; Ambassador Jean Kennedy 1. Smith, Steven Kennedy Smith, eileen McNa- mara, Brandeis University; 2.) Cheryl Gillespie, Waltham; Ann O’Connor, Cambridge; 3.) N.H. State Rep. eric estevez, Tim Mizell, So, Boston; 4.) Former State Rep. Carol Donovan, Woburn; Pat Deal, Arlington; 5.) Pat McSweeney, Dorothy Latour, both Taunton; 6.) Pat O’Leary Thorpe, Kevin Thorpe, Melrose; 7.) Anne Leeds, Newton; Mary Joe Clark, Dedham; Susan Smith, Carlisle; 8.) Cornelius Sullivan, Anchorage Alaska; Terry and Pat Sullivan , Winthrop; 9.) John McDonough, Colleen Mohyde, both Winchester; 10.) Curt and Susan Gilmore, Back Bay; 11. Nancy and Joe Lee, So. Boston; 12.) Geri McGlone, Michelle McGlone, both Brockton; 13.) Susan Thifault, Woburn; Marilyn Gagalis, Winchester; Janet Allison, Wilm- ington; Theresa Christerson, Woburn; 14.) Frank and Carol Dobek, eastham. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. bostonirish.com February 2017 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR Page 3 Looking ahead: The March parades 14th Year for BCM Fest Eire Society cites Sunday, the 19th Tòibìn for its 2017 at 1 p.m. – Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will kick off from Broadway Gold Medal Award Station in South Boston. The Eire Society of Check out southbostonpa- Boston has announced rade.org for information that Colm Tòibìn, novel- regarding the history of ist, short story writer, the parade, the parade playwright, journalist and route, parking restric- literary critic, is the win- tions, and how to get ner of the society’s Gold there. Medal award for 2017. Saturday, the 4th Tòibìn will receive his at 11 a.m. – Cape Cod – award at a ceremony on Yarmouth. March starts Sat., April 29, at 6 p.m. at Colm Tòibìn at the intersection of Long the Hyatt Regency Boston, thoughtful positions on Pond Drive and Route 28 where he will offer a pre- matters of social impor- in South Yarmouth. Info: sentation. tance make him a vision- 508-362-7239, capecodst- “We are particularly ary spokesperson for the patsparade.com (L-R) Owen Marshall, Joel Wennerstrom and Laura Feddersen got in some pleased to present the 2017 citizenry of Ireland and its Saturday, the 11th at rehearsal before their BCMFest set. Gold Medal to Professor worldwide diaspora.” 1 p.m. – City of Lawrence. Tòibìn,” says Thomas W. For more information Parade starts at Essex / The 14th annual Boston’s Celtic Music Fest (BCMFest) took place January 13 Carty, ppresident of the on the Gold Medal Din- Amesbury Street. and 14 in Harvard Square, featuring many local performers of Irish, Scottish, Eire Society of Boston. ner and Award Ceremony Saturday, the 11th at Cape Breton and other Celtic and Celtic-related music, dance and song. The “His accomplishments contact Cathleen McGrail, 11 a.m. – Rain or Shine, events included an opening-night concert and Boston Urban Ceilidh, a full day of have vaulted him to the Event Chair, at events@ 61st Annual Newport St. performances and participatory activities, and a “Nightcap” concert to close out forefront of the Irish liter- eiresociety.org or call 617- Patrick’s Day Parade. the festival. ary scene. His direct and 739-6484. Stars at Newport City Hall. Info: discovernew- port.org; NewportIrish. com On immigration: Today’s Irish should recall our story Sunday, the 12th at noon – City of Worcester. By veRonica KeyS in the presidential election of 1856 and this ones. Starts at Park Avenue. iRiSh paStoRal centRe signaled the end of the party’s popular appeal. Fr. Dan Finn conducts many services for Info: 508-753-7197. The Irish story of immigration to America It would have been difficult back then for people who are grieving the death of a loved Sunday, the 19th at 1 started in the second half of the 19th century people to imagine an America that has been one on the other side of the ocean and he sees p.m. – Town of Abington. when Irish peasants fleeing theIn famine as good to the Irish and so embracing of the first-hand the trauma associated with living Starts at St.