November 2015 Boston’S Hometown VOL

The Evans family (from left): Paul, William, James, Thomas and John with Mayor Walsh and Ed Forry. Margaret Brett photos

Boston Globe CEO Michael Sheehan, Boston Irish Reporter publisher Ed Forry and Bill Kennedy, who introduced Sheehan. Ed Forry of the Reporter with honoree Margaret Stapleton. Evans family, Mike Sheehan, Margaret Stapleton feted The city’s top policeman, a by the Boston Irish Reporter, South Boston has excelled the ranks of John Hancock leading media executive, and drew over 300 attendees. It in law enforcement, the fire Insurance and Financial a pioneering philanthropist included remarks from Mayor service, and business while Services to become a vice- were the honorees at this Martin Walsh, who introduced inspiring new generations of president before her retire- year’s Boston Irish Honors Boston Police Commissioner Bostonians to be engaged citi- ment and has been a leading luncheon, the season’s premier William Evans and his broth- zens. Also honored at the event donor and advisor to the Pine celebration of Irish-American ers Paul, John, Thomas, and were Michael Sheehan, the Street Inn. The program was achievement in Massachu- James — who were honored chief executive officer of the moderated by Boston Red Sox setts. The luncheon at the as an exemplary Boston Irish Boston Globe, and Margaret “poet laureate” Dick Flavin. Seaport Boston Hotel, hosted family. The Evans clan of Rev. Tom Kennedy Stapleton, who rose through Coverage, Pages 18-24 delivered the invocation.

Our experienced residential team is hard at work making sure you get the very best rate on the loan that’s just right for you. If you are looking to purchase or refinance your home, trust EBSB to put you in the mortgage program that fits you best. From ARM’s to Fixed rates including MassHousing programs, let us do the hard work so you can enjoy your home. WE KNOW Call one of our Mortgage Specialists today at 978.977.7100 or visit ebsb.com. MORTGAGES

NMLS # 457291 Member FDIC. Member DIF. Page 2 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com

Be there for Fenway Park’s first hurling event since 1954, and witness the world’s fastest and oldest field sport in the nation’s oldest ballpark. On 11.22, see Dublin play Galway and stay for a day of Irish food, fun, and even a performance by the Dropkick Murphys.

For tickets, visit REDSOX.COM/IRISHFESTIVAL

AIG FENWAY HURLING CLASSIC | DUBLIN VS GALWAY | FENWAY PARK | 11.22.15 bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 3 They’re lining up for the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic Ticket sales are said to be brisk for the the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic that is set for Fenway Park on Sun., Nov. 22. Gates will open at 11a.m. and the game begins at 1 p.m. Hurling, the world’s fastest field sport, returns to Fenway Park for the first time since 1954 as two of the sport’s biggest teams – Dublin and 2015 All- Ireland Finalist Galway – compete on the pitch. The festivities will include a lively Irish festival complete with Irish food, music, and dancing, featuring Bos- ton’s favorite the Dropkick Murphys. The game will form part of an Irish Festival at Fenway Park on that weekend where all aspects of Irish culture and music will be celebrated. It will be played the day after Boston College takes on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at Fenway Park in a much anticipated college football game. Dublin’s hurlers, of whom AIG Insurance of Ire- land are the official sponsors, will take on Galway, which recently lined out against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Hurling Final. The AIG Fenway Hurling Classic was in the planning stages for months and has the full support of the GAA, the GPA, both the Dublin and Galway county Mayor Marty Walsh and incoming Red Sox president Sam Kennedy unveiled plans for the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival at Fenway Park. Hurlers Dave Collins (Galway) and Mark Shutte boards, the North American GAA board and FSM. (Dublin) were on hand for the announcement in August. Ed Forry photo Aer Lingus, the official airline partner of Dublin GAA and the official travel partner of the GPA, are the Red Sox. Back then All-Ireland Champion Cork for their professionalism and co-operation in getting also backing the match and will provide flights for defeated an American Hurling selection. this event off the ground. the entire travelling party. Says General Manager at AIG Ireland, Declan Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group President Super 11s, the brainchild of the GPA, is an eleven O’Rourke, of the upcoming event: “We are absolutely Sam Kennedy added; “Hurling is one of the most aside format of traditional hurling. It was developed delighted and hugely proud to be able to bring hurl- electrifying sports in the world and we think fans specifically to allow hurling to be played in stadiums ing to the iconic Fenway Park in Boston. I don’t need are going to enjoy watching all the fast-paced action and venues all over the world where the pitch size to explain the close ties the city of Boston has to as two of the most accomplished and talented coun- is smaller than the traditional hurling pitch. Only Ireland and that is why it is a fitting venue to play ties compete on the pitch at Fenway Park. We are goals can be scored in the adapted game. Training host to one of our national games. always looking for opportunities to bring new and sessions to ensure the players become fully accus- “We have enjoyed a hugely successful relationship exciting events into Fenway and whether you’re a tomed to the rules will be organized by the GAA with Dublin GAA since late 2013 and this is another fan of hurling or new to the sport the AIG Fenway and GPA in advance of the trip. sign of our support for them. It also marks our first Hurling Classic and Irish Festival promises to be It will be the first time since November of 1954 that official partnership with the GAA at national level a great event.” hurling will be played at the world famous home of and also with the GPA and I’d like to thank them Irish Network/Boston hosting national parley Delegates from across those enduring links American Chamber of the United States will for the benefit of all,” Commerce Ireland. descend upon Boston said Sean P. Moynihan, Other notable partici- this month for Irish President of IN/Boston. pants include Johanna Network USA’s annual The conference will Murphy, CEO of Con- national conference, fea- focus on the economic, nect Ireland; Joe O’Brien turing plenary sessions, educational, cultural, of Crosscare Migrant a special celebration at and sporting partner- Project in Dublin; Pro- the State House, and a ships that have always fessor Liam Kennedy of festival celebrating Irish been such a critical the UCD Clinton Insti- culture and film. component of the rela- tute of American Stud- The four-day program tionship between the ies; John Cunningham, runs from Thurs., Nov. two countries. Trans- chairperson of the GAA 5, through Sun., Nov. 8. atlantic trade will be North America; and Registration details are a major focus with key Stewart Matthews of available at irishnet- participants to include: the Northern Ireland workboston.net. Gary Hanley of Invest Bureau. Irish Network Boston Northern Ireland, Mark “Since our first con- (IN Boston), in partner- Gallagher of Silicon Val- ference in 2013 INUSA ship with the Consul- ley Bank, Dave Greaney has continued to go from ate General of Ireland of Synergy Investments, strength to strength,” Boston, is hosting the Larry Naughton of Cho- stated Steve Lenox, weekend. “With 2016 ate Hall and Stewart, president, INUSA. “We marking the centennial and Ryan McDermott are grateful for all the anniversary of the Eas- of the Boston Irish Busi- work that IN Boston Irish Network/Boston president Sean Moynihan meets with Mayor Marty ter Rising, the confer- ness Association (BIBA). is putting into making Walsh as the five-year-old Irish group makes plans to host a national Irish ence will celebrate and The conference will INUSA15 a success, and Network conference in the city this month. Photo courtesy IN/Boston. analyze the importance bring together partici- are looking forward to Friday evening will House on Beacon Hill. traditional beef stew, of the past 100 years of pants for a high-impact having lively discussion mark an important In partnership with the Irish salmon, a unique the relationship between agenda featuring key- about where the future historical event for IN consul general of Ire- selection of Irish cheeses Ireland and the United notes by Ireland’s am- takes an organization Boston as the organi- land in Boston, guests from throughout Ireland, States, but more impor- bassador to the United that remains committed zation celebrates its will be entertained with and a selection of unique tantly, it will outline a States, Anne Anderson, to engaging the ‘Global 5th anniversary at the traditional Irish mu- craft brews. strategic vision to best and Mark Redmond, Irish’ in every corner of Massachusetts State sic, Irish fare including continue and build upon chief executive of the the USA”. A Charitable welcome Eire Society installs Jim Murphy, 1932-2015 Jim Murphy, a veteran for new consul general and professor of English The Charitable Irish new slate of officers and literature at Massa- Society will host a wel- chusetts Maritime Acad- come reception for the The Eire Society of Boston has announced its emy and Boston College, newly arrived Consul slate of officers for the 2015-2016 season.They are: and a lover of Ireland, General of Ireland, Fion- Thomas Carty, president; Robin Tagliaferri, first died last month. He is nualla Quinlan, and vice president, John Connolly, second vice president; remembered fondly in Vice Consul Meg Laffan Ann Doherty, Treasurer and Recording Secretary; this month’s Reporter by on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. at Mary Ellen Mulligan, Membership Secretary; and his longtime friend Bill the Union Club, 8 Park Barbara Smith Fitzgerald, Corresponding Secretary. O’Donnell on page 10. Street, Boston. Subscrip- The board is currently accepting recommendations Photo by Sarah E. tion for the event is $35 for honorees for the 2016 Gold Medal dinner to be Murphy per person, and registra- held in the spring. tion may be made online The next board meeting is scheduled for Mon., Nov. at charitableirishsociety. 16, at 7 p.m. at Insight Realty Group, 1427 Centre org. Street, West Roxbury. Consul Quinlan Page 4 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Publisher’s Notebook The Irish American Partnership: David Finnegan: Taking stock – 1986 to 2016 He made his By Joe Leary with their young students. Ireland’s universities have Special to the BIR received special grants to assist deserving underprivi- The year 2016 will mark the anniversary of several leged students achieve a college education. In addition mark with élan important Irish events. First and most important are the Partnership has funded extensive science teacher the 100th anniversary celebrations in Ireland and the training programs in coordination with teaching colleges David Ignatius Finnegan, a member of a prominent United States American of the famous “Easter Rebellion.” in Dublin and Limerick. political family with deep roots in Dorchester, died on Another event will also be remembered by many: the A special program focused on school leavers and non- Oct. 12 in Bluffton, S.C. at age 74. The cause of death beginning of the Irish American Partnership in early college graduates has received funding for many years. was given as lung cancer. 1986. The program is called “A Fast Track to Technology” Some 70 years ago, Mr. Finnegan was a lively pres- It was then, 30 years ago, that the first meetings of (FIT), taking advantage of undiscovered hi-tech talent ence in Neponset, his boyhood neighborhood where the men and women who dreamed of creating of such a in lower paying jobs. the streets were the best playgrounds. As a teenager partnership took place in Dublin. It was, from the begin- The Partnership works within the established sys- he joined his brother John in treks up to Wollaston ning, about a partnership representing both the North tem and Departments of Education in both Dublin and Golf Club across the Neponset River where he caddied and South of Ireland. Official Ireland, in both Dublin and Belfast. Almost 90 community groups in both the North with a certain panache while learning how to play the Belfast, thought this was a valid concept and proceeded and South have received grants for specific programs. game skillfully. to take steps to create the organization. Many of these are focused upon Northern Ireland and His education was The following year, the Irish Parliament under Taoise- promote cross-community understanding. all local: St. Ann’s ach Garrett Fitzgerald voted to encourage the idea with The thrust of Partnership funding is based on the School, Boston Eng- an IRL 50,000-pound grant to fund the early expenses. concept that an educated population is essential to a na- lish High, Stonehill And an elite group of Irish business executives, education’s prosperity. Partnership programs work to empower College, and Bos- tors, and political leaders from both the North and South the next generation of Irish leaders to lead their nation ton University’s law created the partnership in Ireland and began to enlist through the challenges a changing world will present. school – with a stint prominent Irish Americans to manage the organization There are 3,305 primary schools in Ireland, 509,652 at Harvard for a mas- in the United States. students and 32,489 teachers. This is where learn- ter’s degree later in General P.X. Kelley, United States Marine Corps (ret.), ing begins. The fact that over 50 percent of the life. While in college, became chairman of the American board of directors and schools have four teachers or less shows how small he held a steady job the former speaker of the US House, Thomas P. “Tip” and distant many of these schools are. It is these working nights on the O’Neill, became the spokesman for the partnership in schools that benefit from Partnership help the most. display desk at the the United States. The 15-member Partnership board of directors is made Boston Globe. The Irish American Partnership’s mission was to up of men and women from throughout the United Once out of the organize Irish-American support for Ireland, its people, States, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Several American groves of academe, and its future, specifically, by assisting Irish education, members have second homes in Ireland, indicating their Mr. Finnegan took starting with the underprivileged primary and secondary affection and involvement in their heritage. zestfully to public life. schools in the west of Ireland. The Partnership relies upon a directors’ standing He served two terms Today, 29 years later, there are 5,000 Irish American committee in Dublin and Belfast to provide advice and on the Boston School Partnership supporters, coast to coast and the organiza- guidance on all funding decisions. The board recently Committee, made sev- tion has raised more than $1.2 million, with 86.8 percent established a planned giving program and funded a David Finnegan eral unsuccessful runs going to its mission in Ireland. In answer to concerns modest but growing endowment program to insure that for the mayor’s office, about charitable spending, the Partnership notes that American support will be forthcoming for years into the most notably in a showdown with Ray Flynn. He was fund-raising and administrative expenses, including future. a broadcaster, hosting a radio show on WBZ in the salaries, are less than 14 percent. The dreams of those who began the idea of an Irish early 1980s and a television show on Ch. 7 later on. In Ireland’s Prime Minister Taoiseach Enda Kenny has American Partnership 29 years ago have been at least his later years, Mr. Finnegan was a lawyer and lob- said: “The Irish American Partnership has a great track partly realized. Much, much more can be accomplished. byist specializing in insurance cases before retiring to record in supporting worthy causes in Ireland, particu- It is fitting that we end with a statement from a leader South Carolina in the early years of the new century. larly in the area of education. I thank the members of of the American Partnership, Executive Director Mary On the private sector side of his ledger, Mr. Finnegan the Partnership for everything they do to promote and Sugrue, originally from South Kerry, Ireland: “The Irish was a raconteur and master of ceremonies who took support the great connection between Ireland and the American Partnership is pleased to provide a tangible no prisoners when roasts were in order at the many United States.” link for Irish Americans to honor their Irish heritage by dinners, luncheons, and functions that he attended As of November 2015, the Partnership has provided connecting them with schools and universities across in the course of his business. funds to nearly 500 primary schools in the North and the island of Ireland. The grants are appreciated by the Of David Finnegan the man and politician, former South of Ireland to help build and modernize their students and teachers who are encouraged by the gifts Mayor Flynn said on hearing of his death: “The best school libraries and provide science teaching materials received from the United States. We are honored and thing about running against David Finnegan was to assist teachers discussing multiple science programs humbled by the generosity of our donors.” after a hard fought campaign, you knew you made a good friend. Seventy six spirited and well attended neighborhood forums, debates and candidates nights Why black lives matter more throughout the neighborhoods Boston in 1983, but never a personal attack or a harsh word from David By James W. Dolan teach us what is right and wrong. Laws are a poor sub- or among any of the candidates. David was a man Special to the Reporter stitute for a sense of values learned at home, reinforced and a public official whom I had deep admiration and The “Black Lives Matter” movement in one form or at church, and practiced in the community. respect for. Whether on the School Committee, on another has gone on for decades. Today it is focused Despite progress in other areas, the influence once radio or in a tough campaign, Dave was an articulate on the actions of police officers who lack the maturity, exercised by those informal values-shaping mechanisms and well-informed competitor, but always a complete judgment, and self-discipline to use a weapon only as has declined. Our youth today are bombarded with gentleman. All the citizens of Boston can be grateful for a last resort. While the vast majority of police officers distractions suggesting that what’s right is anything David Finnegan’s outstanding record of public service. know when to exercise restraint, there are some only you want to do and what’s wrong is anything that in- The second-youngest of nine children born to Julia too willing to make a benign situation bad, or a bad terferes with that. and Joseph Finnegan, the latter a state senator in the situation worse. We go from one extreme to the other. While I was on Depression years, Mr. Finnegan leaves his wife, the A better selection process and improved training the bench, criminal justice reform consisted of stiffer former Ellen Olsen of Bluffton, S.C.; three sons, David should reduce instances of police overreaction. But po- penalties – longer, often mandatory, sentences imposed of Boston, Joe of Los Angeles, and Michael of Nash- lice officers are human beings, like the rest of us, and to deter crime and at least temporarily disable criminals. ville; a daughter, Trish Giampaoli of Naples, Fla.; four even the good ones from time to time may exhibit poor That approach provided some relief, but obviously in- brothers, Joseph and John, a former Massachusetts judgment and lack of self-control. In my experience, the flated the prison population. Now criminal justice reform state representative and state auditor, both of Naples, Boston Police Department is an outstanding example includes reducing sentences, putting fewer people in jail, Fla., Thomas, of Dorchester, and Stephen, of Milton; of setting and enforcing standards of police behavior. and relying on community-based correction programs. two sisters, Eleanora Golden of Delray Beach, Fla., But the police are only responsible for a fraction of The harsher “reforms” were due to increased drug- and Julie Matzel of Mashpee; and four grandchildren. violent deaths of black people. The number of murders related offenses and the violence associated with them. In 1967, the year he graduated from law school, Mr. of blacks committed by black perpetrators is overwhelm- The sale of drugs provided the money for guns that were Finnegan married Patricia Harden. They had four ing. That tragedy, so evident to me while I was on the used to establish and protect markets. With few job op- children and their marriage ended in divorce. bench, continues at an alarming rate. Drugs and guns portunities, black youth often chose the high-reward, A memorial Funeral Mass was said for Mr. Finnegan are a toxic mix, and the victims are often innocent by- high-risk path of drug dealing. Many of the murders on Wed., Oct. 28, in the Chapel of Mary at Stonehill standers, some of them children. were drug-related. College in North Easton, MA. Residents of high crime areas want police protection Will violence be better controlled with a more lenient – Tom Mulvoy while knowing the risk of black on black violent crime far policy, one that focuses on treatment and rehabilitation. exceeds the likelihood of an unjustified police shooting. Perhaps, but only if the money we now use to incarcerate Police officers also feel more at risk when patrolling such too many offenders is used instead to rehabilitate them. areas. They are apprehensive and, therefore, more likely Even that may not be enough unless we do something to overreact when confronted. Given that, supervisors about our disgraceful gun culture, which seems unlikely must carefully screen officers before assigning them to in this political climate. Boston Irish high crime areas. We’ve lost the “war on drugs” that has been going on The causes of black crime are many, and often related for over 30 years. In order to eliminate the financial REPORTER to circumstance beyond the control of the offenders. They incentive that generates the murders in the drug trade, The Boston Irish Reporter is published monthly by: include family dysfunction, drugs, health issues, poor we may have to consider legalizing drugs. The money Boston Neighborhood News, Inc., education, and the lack of job opportunities. Protest- spent on the “war” might then be used to discourage 150 Mt. Vernon St., Suite 120, Dorchester, MA 02125 ers claim that society undervalues black lives and cite drug use (look what we’ve done with cigarettes) and [email protected] www.bostonirish.com instances of police shootings. But the murder rate of provide rehabilitation services. It is an unfortunate Mary C. Forry, President (1983-2004) blacks by blacks is a much more serious manifestation choice, but the adverse consequences of legalization Edward W. Forry, Publisher of the problem. may be less onerous than the murders generated by Thomas F. Mulvoy Jr., Managing Editor their illicit sale. At the same time, more opportunities William P. Forry, Editor How do we as a society underscore what should be Peter F. Stevens, Contributing Editor self-evident: All Lives Matter. Since black people are must also be provided for disadvantaged black youth News Room: (617) 436-1222 more at risk within their own communities, greater to achieve financial independence. Ads : (617) 436-1222 emphasis should be placed on black lives. Unfortunately, Police behavior is only a small part of the problem. Fax: (617) 825-5516 [email protected] so much of what contributes to this problem appears to The community wants to be protected by officers who are On The Web at www.bostonirish.com be beyond our reach. both respectful and aggressive, a difficult balance that Date of Next Issue: December 2015 I am reminded of a favorite quote by Samuel Johnson: requires dedication, maturity, and good judgment. But unless the deeper underlying problems are addressed, Deadline for Next Issue: Monday, November 23 at 2 p.m. “How small of all that human hearts endure, that part which laws or kings can cause or cure.” So often we I fear the death toll will continue to mount. All lives Published monthly in the first week of each month. matter but black lives now matter more because they The Boston Irish Reporter is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements beyond must rely on our own resources to deal with intractable the cost of the space occupied by the error. The right is reserved by The Boston Irish problems. That does not mean we are alone. There is are more vulnerable. Reporter to edit, reject, or cut any copy without notice. faith, family, clergy, community, all the elements that bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 5 Full circle on the Irish Sea By Greg O’Brien John Joe, 79, of New father, Patrick Kennedy, hold court at such gather- Special to the BIR Ross in County Wexford, left New Ross in 1849, ings,” I tell him. “I thrived Duncannon, County ancestral home of the escaping the Famine, to on it. My nickname among Wexford – The tapering Kennedys, has a smile become a cooper in East friends was the ‘Senator headland of Hook Head that would light the River Boston, making and re- from Cape Cod.’ No longer. on the Irish Sea, at the Liffey and the handshake pairing wooden casks and I’ve left office; things have mouth of rivers Barrow, of a heavyweight champi- barrels. John Joe recalls changed.” Nore and Suir, is wholly on. He embraced me, eye- President Kennedy, in a What hasn’t changed inspiring in its rugged ball to eyeball, and I saw New Ross speech, point- about John Joe is his heart landscape, primeval his- the tears streaming down ing to a nearby warehouse and his gut Irish humor. tory, and the majesty this the side of his creased, and declaring that he’d Alzheimer’s drives one jagged peninsula evokes. righteous face—the two be working there if his from the mind to the place At its rocky tip stands of us in a fight against a grandfather didn’t have of the heart, the soul. “I the majestic 800-year-old demon of a disease, one the Irish passion to fight may have tears in my eyes, Hook Head Lighthouse, that we won’t win. on when he was down. “he says, “but I’m not cry- one of the oldest working I cried, too. John Joe has always ing out of sorrow. It’s part lighthouses in the world. “I know how it feels,” been a fighter, yet he has of what I’ve been handed. It rises like an ancient he said to me. “We fight an artistic soft side, a I was blessed with a good barbican—four stories together now as brothers, thriving right brain that family that gives me high with trademark right?” is guiding him back to his strength. I have no cause black and white stripes “Right!” love of art, a self-healing for complaint. “I laugh, and limestone walls up And so we are now therapy from the ravages like you, at how long it brothers, joined in a of a disease that robs a to 12 feet thick that will Greg O’Brien during a 2015 visit to Ireland. takes me to remember.” likely stand until end worldwide fight against sense of self. He spends I draw the analogy with times. Legend has it that Alzheimer’s, from Cape 1600s, Oliver Cromwell, trillion by 2030. hours now painting in John Joe, one he relates long before construction of Cod to the Irish Sea. The charged with defeating “I’m emotional about oils; it’s a passion and yet with, of comparing Al- the lighthouse, monks in battle is fully engaged, the rebellious Confederate this,” says John Joe. “I a challenge to remember zheimer’s with the base- the fifth century from the and if the tag-team, rope- Coalition, declared that can’t control that; it’s the what colors to use. So he ment of a house. “Ever nearby Dubhan monas- a-dope of John Joe and he would take Ireland “by card I was dealt. What can has devised a scheme of been in a basement doing tery lit fires to warn ships me are any indication, Hook or by Crooke,” a dec- you do about it? I refuse selecting the proper oil laundry at night when from the treacherous red Alzheimer’s in time could laration that would last in to give in. So I fight on. I colors, somewhat similar someone in the kitchen sandstone sarsens. be down for a hand count, the vernacular hundreds retreat into myself and to a carpet swatch display turns the cellar light out?” By hook or by crook, I if lawmakers worldwide, of years. fight on. It makes me where he has laminated I ask him. “You scream, was destined to connect committed parties, de- And so John Joe and nervous, the progression and labeled the colors to right, and you throw a few here, southeast of Dublin, voted caregivers, and I met by Hook or by I have to face.” choose the right ones. And ‘F’ bombs until someone with John Joe Vaughan— those with the disease join Crooke, in county Wexford Once quick-witted and he does. upstairs turn the light two brash Irishmen sepa- forces around the planet. whence my mother’s fam- gifted with the Irish nat- Art, whether paint- back on. That’s Alzheim- rated by a sea of blue, This was no brief en- ily hailed – she, as well, ter, John Joe is now ing, music, or writing, er’s. A light goes off, and roiling waters rushing counter with John Joe a victim of Alzheimer’s. slower to the draw, yet stimulates the brain, one goes into rage because to a horizon where water – a father of 8 with his John Joe’s mother also he uses humor to make stirs memories and re- it’s dark. At some point, flushes up against the sky. devoted wife Peggy (a died of Alzheimer’s and his fun of the fact that he duces agitation caused the light goes off forever.” It was God-ordained. champion Irish stepdanc- older brother is stricken can’t remember. As they by Alzheimer’s. By his John Joe laughs, the I had met John Joe al- er), grandfather of 17, a with the disease, and say in Alzheimer’s, he own admission, John Joe kind of gurgle one would most nine months earlier retired teacher and school now he doesn’t recognize makes new friends every is no Michelangelo, yet expect from a leprechaun. at Logan Airport upon principal, raised in rural John Joe, a situation that day. A remarkable man, his work is inspiring in I’m looking for the rain- my return to Boston from Marshalstown without awaits him, he fears. an incredible teacher – to so many ways. Upon my bow now. He’s on a roll. Dublin, an annual pil- electricity and paved The Lord works in mys- his children, his students, visit to Duncannon, he “If a cure comes,” he says. grimage to Eire. He had roads. He invited me to terious ways. and to me –John Joe al- presented me with an im- “It will likely come from just arrived himself with spend a week in this past Over a pint in Wexford ways had a fascination pressive painting of Hook America. I hope you call family to visit his daugh- summer writing and just Town, John Joe, named with the world beyond Head Light. It hangs now me up some day and say, ter Rena, who now lives hanging with him over a for his uncle John and his him. As a teacher and in my family room. ‘John Joe, I have a little in New Hampshire. While few pints at his family’s father Joseph, talked for principal, he encouraged “What scares me about pill for you…’” I was on the cellphone summer cottage on the one of the first times about others to broaden their this disease,” he says over “You’ll get the first call,” responding to a queue of Irish Sea in the fishing the horrors of Alzheimer’s, minds. He was principal another sip of his pint, “is I tell him. backlogged voicemails, village of Duncannon, which is consuming a at the National School in the loss of memory and Two Irish guys in a pub, Rena began waving at me. overlooking Hook Head generation worldwide, Courtnacuddy and Car- the inability to carry a full circle near the Irish She recognized me from Light at the mouth of one diagnosis of dementia lanstown where he also conversation. The brain Sea, separated by 2,992 a photo in my book, “On Waterford Harbor. about every minute, ac- taught fourth, fifth and just isn’t processing; it’s miles, connected for a Pluto: Inside the Mind of On this day, the Fresnel cording to the Alzheimer’s sixth grades. Now John stalled. It’s embarrassing. lifetime by a disease that Alzheimer’s.” lens of Hook Head Light Association. Globally, the Joe’s world is shrinking So I often avoid conversa- will take their lives. In “I want you to meet my flashes every three sec- number of individuals in disturbing ways, but tion. I retreat into myself, some ways, it doesn’t get father,” she said, noting onds; I counted the blinks living with dementia—a he presses on in muscle and at times deal with any better… that her dad had been di- in my bedroom each night death in slow motion, akin memory, indelible images, rage. People who know me Greg O’Brien’s latest agnosed with Alzheimer’s, as I tried to sleep. I was to having a sliver of your analogous to a palate of say, ‘He’s changed a lot.’” book, On Pluto: Inside the and was reticent to talk captivated by the night brain shaved every day— oil colors ready to paint I understand. I tell Mind of Alzheimer’s, has about it until reading sky flecked with infinite is expected to rise from a canvas. him about my daughter’s won the 2015 Beverly Hills “Pluto.” She had given him specs of white, reflecting the present 46 million to One of John Joe’s most wedding two summers International Book Award a copy. I was humbled, on the lighthouse and the more than 131 million in indelible images is the ago when I had to detach for Medicine, the 2015 but that was just the be- craggy peninsula called the next 35 years at a stag- memory of John F. Ken- myself several times from International Book Award ginning. Crooke, just across from gering cost of care. In the nedy’s visit to New Ross in family and friends to for Health, and is an Eric The Lord works in mys- the narrow strait. It is US alone, the cost of care 1963, a defining moment retreat in solitude and re- Hoffer International Book terious ways. a spot where in the mid- for those with dementia in both Irish history and a start the brain. “I used to Award finalist. is expected to rise to $2 family tree. JFK’s grand- Point of View Grand return to the greens of Royal Portrush

By Peter F. Stevens Open set the stage for the competition’s second-ever act professional tournament golf, for in 1895, Ireland’s BIR Staff outside Scotland and England, impressing the R & A first official match-play competition was held on the It’s about time. For the first time since 1951, the (the Open’s ruling body. It derives its initialized name course. A starry field of the game’s best descended British Open – “The Open” to the golf world of the UK. from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews) upon Portrush, their ranks including golf immortal and Ireland – will literally hit the links on the Emer- so much that they selected the venerable Northern Harry Vardon. Until 1900, when the Golfing Union ald Isle. The announcement that Royal Portrush Golf Irish links. First, however, Portrush needed upgrades of Ireland was formed, Royal Portrush’s members Club had a chance for the 2019 Open was announced and “contingencies.” If they were not met quickly, the organized professional competitions. in 2014, but not until late October 2015 did the official 2019 Open was out of the equation, as the 2014 R & A In 1951, Portrush was chosen to hold the first Open nod arrive. Royal Portrush was the first and only previ- announcement stated. off Scottish and English turf. Hopes were high through- ous site of the Open outside of Scotland and England. Royal Portrush has obviously met the challenge. out the North and the South that Fred Daly, winner of Throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of High on the “to-do list” was for course designers to the 1947 Open would duplicate the feat on his home Ireland alike, legions of links lovers reveled in print carve out two new holes to bring the par-71 layout to links, Portrush. A genial man but a fierce competitor, and online headlines at the news that the Open was 7,337 yards in the era of the longest drivers the game he had honed his game as a youth beneath glowering indeed coming back to Irish shores. Still, a turf war has ever seen. Of equal importance to the R & A, the Dunluce Castle. Daly overcame a lackluster opening of sorts colored some of the coverage in the North. In two new holes can accommodate the requisite huge round and battled tricky winds for the claret jug, but a front-page article, the Belfast Telegraph proudly and grandstands for the tournament. at the end of the fourth and final round, Englishman justifiably noted that in 1947, countryman “Whistling Graley continued: “It will be the biggest sporting Max Faulkner stood atop the Portrush leaderboard Fred” Daly became the first Irishman from any corner event ever to be staged here in terms of prestige and with a three-under-par 285, good for the top prize of of the isle to hoist the claret jug, the legendary winner’s global media exposure. It will also provide a massive 300 pounds (about $850 in US dollars). Daly tied for trophy of the Open. The Telegraph’s Jim Gracey wrote, boost to the tourism economy, well beyond the north fourth place with a 292, pocketing 62 pounds (about “The numbers, organisation, technology and, indeed, coast, with tens of thousands expected to descend.” $175 in US dollars). the money involved - the event will be worth millions To golf-mad Northern Ireland, his words peal not In a statement following the R & A’s decision for to the whole Northern Ireland economy - are a world with hyperbole, but with pride. 2019, Tourism NI Chairman Terence Brannigan said: removed from when The Open last visited here in 1951, Royal Portrush is a fitting venue for The Open’s “The north coast will provide a dramatic and stun- in the heyday of our own late, great Fred Daly, the return to Irish soil for a wide array of historical rea- ning backdrop to the event when it will be hosting first Northern Ireland winner of the Championship, at sons. The club merits the appellation “Royal” both in an expected 200,000 visitors from all parts of Great Hoylake in 1947. Clarke and Rory McIlroy ended our terms of that rich history and the course’s spectacular Britain, the Republic of Ireland and overseas....Tourism long wait for another in 2011 and 2014, respectively.” vistas. Looming above the tract is Dunluce Castle, a NI and our industry partners will be pulling out all Not to carp, but it seems that even though he hails 13th-century Norman fortress hugging the very edge the stops to stage the best ever welcome for an Open from the Republic, Padraig Harrington’s two Open of a seaside cliff. In 1693, a chunk of the castle toppled Championship.” triumphs – in 2007 and 2008 – deserve at least a into the ocean during a savage storm. If Rory McIlroy or Graeme McDowell can pull off what passing nod from golfers in any corner of the island. The site, once the haunt of warlords, provided the eluded Fred Daly at the 1951 Open at Royal Portrush, Just saying... backdrop for the Royal Portrush Club in 1888. One there is virtually no way to measure how welcome that The 2019 Open will unfold across Royal Portrush from of the link course’s earliest patrons was King Edward would be to the throngs of their Northern Irish fans. July 18-21, and many of the game’s sagest observers VII. Not surprisingly, many Irish golf historians believe that the club’s topnotch hosting of the 2012 Irish have anointed Royal Portrush as the cradle of Irish Page 6 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Congratulations Two books to the 2015 Two Boston Irish Legends Boston Irish Honorees The EVANS Family William, Thomas, Bill Brett’s The Boston Irish Dick Flavin’s Red Sox Rhymes James, John and Paul Buy your signed copies today at the MIKE SHEEHAN Boston Irish Honors to support Mary Casey Forry Foundation MARGARET STAPLETON

Call 617-436-1222 x12 to place your order

Your donation will support this foundation named for the late co- founder of the Boston Irish Reporter. The foundation endeavors to support hospice programs in and around Greater Boston.

A Charitable Foundation in loving memory of the founding publisher of the Boston Irish Reporter Mary Casey Forry Foundation Greg and Brendan Feeney Feeney Brothers, Inc. 150 Mt. Vernon Street, Suite 120, Dorchester, MA 02125 marycaseyforry.org Proudly doing business in Dorchester since 1988

Building stronger communities, neighbor by neighbor.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is proud to support the Boston Irish Reporter.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachuestts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 7

Harbor Point on the Bay Boston MA

C O R C O R A N Congratulations to the Companies winners of this year’s is proud to support Boston Irish Honors: The Boston Irish Reporter and congratulations to honorees William Evans Family Mike Sheehan Michael Sheehan Boston Globe Margaret Stapleton William Evans Boston Police Commissioner and his siblings Margaret Stapleton Former VP at John Hancock and Philanthropist of Pine Street Inn WE’RE PROUD TO CALL YOU OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. corcoranjennison.com | cjapts.com 16.248SW

Congratulations to American Repertory Theater Trustee Mike Sheehan on this well deserved recognition.

XO from all of us at the A.R.T.

American Repertory Theater at Harvard University is pleased to announce it will kick o The Abbey Theatre of Ireland’s U.S. tour of The Plough and the Stars in September 2016.

EXPANDING THE BOUNDARIES OF THEATER americanrepertorytheater.org Page 8 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com

By Special Arrangement… Irish Music Legend Congratulations PAUL BRADY Friday, Nov. 13 / 8 PM Mayor WWalsh!ls ! This is Paul Brady’s last stop on his U.S. The Children’s Trust is proud to honor tour, before he returns to Dublin to the Mayor for his dedicated support receive The National Concert Hall Lifetime Achievement Award. of children.

childrenstrustma.org BUY TICKETS ONLINE Use code BRADY for discount on best seats. www.TheCabot.org 286 Cabot Street, Beverly • 978-927-3100 30 Minutes from Boston by Auto or Train

Geraghty ASSOCIATES PROPERTY MANAGERS Studio and 1-Bedroom Apartments Available in the desirable Cedar Grove section of Dorchester. Studios reasonably priced; There’s Only One Boston 1-bedroom units; Boston’s community is constantly evolving, but the heat and hot water included. unique spirit of the city is unchanging. For over 150 years John Hancock has stood for integrity, commitment, Short walk to the Red Line. and excellence — just like our hometown. We are proud to support the Boston Irish Reporter as they honor the stories of three dedicated Bostonians, including Free off-street Parking. John Hancock’s own Margaret Stapleton. Washing Machines and Dryers in building. Call Michael at 617-364-4000 Geraghty Associates, Inc. Property Managers For more information on our community P.O. Box 52, Readville, MA 02137-0052

BRAN-3307-01_Boston Irish Honors Ad_01a.indd 1 10/9/15 12:42 PM bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 9 BRETT’S BOSTON By Harry Brett Exclusive photos of Boston Irish people & events The Charitable Irish Society presented its 2015 Silver Key awards to Margaret Stapleton and the husband- and-wife artist team of Vincent Crotty and Kieran Jordan in ceremonies on Oct. 14 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. The Society’s central mission is to assist newly arrived Irish immigrants to Boston, most recently by providing support in the areas of employment, housing, education, finance, health, and law. The proceeds from the Silver Key Award Reception are used to underwrite the Society’s efforts in helping individual Irish immigrants on an as-needed basis. In recognition of the Society’s mission, the Silver Key Award is conferred annually upon individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication in helping new immigrants. 1.) Vincent Crotty, Dorchester; Donna Doyle, Barrington, RI; Kieran Jordan, Dorchester; Kevin Doyle, Barrington, RI; 2.) Ronnie Millar, IIIC; 1. Anne Auerbach, Chelsea; Neil Hurley, Somerville; John Rattigan, Newton; 3.) IIIC volunteers Deston Hudson and Honor Moody; 4.) Patrick McShane and Tim Kelly, Holliston; 5.) Ellen Woods, IPS, Melrose; Megan Carroll, IPS exec. dir., Wellesley; 6.) Fionnuala Quinlan, Irish Consul General 7.) Margaret Flagg, W. Roxbury; Sheila Gagnon, Marshfield; 8.) Vincent Crotty and Kieran Jor- dan, Dorchester; Dolores Jordan, Philadelphia, PA; Elizabeth Dooley, Short Hills, NJ; Ed Forry, Dorchester; 9.) Meg Laffan, Vice Consul; 10.) Christopher Duggan, Pres., Charitable Irish; 11.) Tim Carty, Dedham; Lyn Ferrara, Scituate; Edris Kelley, Marshfield; 12.) Keiran Jordan, Vincent Crotty and Margaret Stapleton, Scituate.

4. 5.

9. 10.

11. 12. Page 10 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Boston Irish Reporter’s Here & There

By Bill O’Donnell saw hurling on a trip to Ireland with his parents when about the shortage and the outspoken priests in the To A Good Friend – Jim Murphy and I were pals he attended a Cork-Clare Final. He was hooked. At the national association would be willing to ease the Irish for 40 years, and both of us being mouthy, it was a time Rhode Island was the only New England state priest shortage by opting for married priests, or by miracle when one of us took time between exhorta- without a hurling team. While Walsh was preparing beginning to ordain women? tions to grab a breath. Jim was one of a kind. He was his HS graduation project on hurling, he learned that Paramilitary Report: Some Concern, Some generous with his time, and he had a comedic ease that a neighbor, Michael Kenneally, who had been on Shrugs – With former US Sen. Gary Hart newly back allowed him to blow kisses one minute and damn the a team in Hoboken, NJ, knew a lot about the game. as an advisor in the North to see if there is a way to pharisees when it came to that. He was the funniest Walsh distributed brochures and found some young bring the parties together and save Stormont, it is a man I knew who never charged a performance fee. people in the east side of Providence, and the rest, as moment to look closely at the new government report Jim had a distinguished career, or maybe several, they say, is history in progress. A Rhode Island team on the status of the paramilitaries (not dissidents) and he was a crackerjack in is organizing and will hold a fundraiser for uniforms that still exist 17 years after the Belfast Agreement. each of them. Together he on Sat., Nov. 14, at Patrick’s Pub on Smith Street in The findings: spent over half a century Providence. • None of the groups is planning or conducting ter- doing what he was born to Former AIB Chief, Drumm on Hold In Boston rorist attacks. do: teach. He was a professor – Former Irish banker David Drumm, who recently • IRA members remain involved in criminality, in- of English and public lost his bid for bankruptcy in a Boston court room, is cluding large-scale smuggling and have been involved speaking for 25 years at being held by US marshals as he tries to avoid extradi- in murder the Massachusetts Mari- tion to Ireland. Drumm is wanted by Irish authorities • Despite decommissioning, the IRA continues to time Academy, and he on 33 charges, ranging from fraud to false accounting. have access to some weapons, but had not procured spent another 28 years as Nothing for the arrogant tape recordings? new ones since 2011 a professor of literature at In his defense, Drumm says he cannot get a fair • Provisional IRA members believe that the Army Boston College, stirring the trial there due to adverse media courage and that his Council oversees both PIRA and Sinn Fein with an juices of hundreds of young extradition to Ireland is for “a political purpose.” Legal overarching strategy creative writing students experts in the US strongly suggest that Drumm will be • Most of the IRA members have nothing to do with with his bywords, “Yes, You unlikely to avoid extradition for several legal reasons, dissident republican paramilitaries Bill O’Donnell Can.”’ In between he wrote chief among them being that Dublin wants him back • Some UDA members continue to have access to an armful of novels on the to answer charges and the US would be reluctant to “some weapons”, but their leadership tries to steer Irish and New England. He had another ready when keep him from being returned to Ireland and an insult members towards “peaceful initiatives.” he left us. an ally that has legal procedures similar to our own. These represent the main assessment of both re- In his teens, he served his country as a grunt in the If Drumm’s lawyers succeed in their fight to keep him publican and loyalists paramilitaries. Army and if you called him a patriot, he would redden in Boston through an “unlawful detention” petition, To Little Surprise, North Drops Adams Case – but never flinch. He was in country in combat in Korea Drumm could be kept in custody for a “couple of years,” The decision to drop the McConville murder charges when the truce was announced. Jim had instincts that hardly an outcome that he would likely desire. against Gerry Adams was hardly a surprise to were old-fashioned, but never out of date. He adored Drumm’s attorney, Tracy Miner, who is seeking Northern legal experts but it was a sad reminder his wife, Margaret Ann, and their six children. He his release, said outside the courthouse that “it was of the power of the public prosecutor’s office to take loved Cape Cod and Falmouth and liked nothing better outrageous that he was picked up on a Saturday of a whatever time they need to gather “evidence” and other than to come upon a good conversation, expected or three-day weekend...” Yes, as Ms. Minor says, it might flimsy underpinnings and then wait for cooperative otherwise. Jim had legions of true blue friends, and if be outrageous, but banker Drumm walked away with witnesses to surface. they were anything like me, receiving a phone call or a tens of millions of euros when he departed Anglo-Irish The North’s chances of trying and winning a guilty letter from Jim Murphy was a refreshing tonic, full of Bank, the same bank that the Republic of Ireland was verdict on Gerry Adams was, as the years passed, an fun and facts and thunderbolts attacking pomposity, forced to take over with tax revenue paid by Irish unlikely outcome. As the Boston Globe’s Kevin Cullen selfishness, and hypocrisy. People with those traits citizens. Get banker Drumm a hankie. so brilliantly illuminated in his Sept. 30 column, it were deserving of a special corner of Hades in his Irish “Biggest Losers” in World Recession – In was “payback” for a politician that loyalists despise. personal Murphy’s Law ledger. And he loved Ireland, a report recently published by the Irish Times, an Adams was the Big Kahuna and key loyalists, who the gorse, the seashore, the nod of a farmer at his ECB analysis shows that the Irish lost more of their have equal scorn for the Republic and its citizens, gate to a passing stranger, the stories on ghosts and personal wealth than any other euro zone country in would say anything and wiggle their way through myths that new-found Irish friends would excitedly the crash. Germany and the Netherlands gained the whatever the legal niceties if they could just have relate to a grateful Murphy ear. He returned often most. The per capita Irish loss, the ECB study says, Adams in their clutches. on business, and on pleasure, of course. is 18,000 euros or nearly $20,000 per person with the Who is running the distant northern province these Yet Jim, crowded life and all, held other commit- economic collapse in 2007. The Irish loss is greater than days? Anyone? Hello, anyone! ments that were personal, private – a missionary bent Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, and Latvia. RANDOM CLIPPINGS that allowed him to face challenges and maybe do some Radio’s Howie Carr Shamed By Media Mat- Remembrances of two great men, one a poet for the good for others along the way. In his earlier years Jim ters – The national service MediaMatters monitors, ages, the other a writer who born with an awful hand met head-on with unruly demons that he confronted researches, and reports on radio, television and print but who was determined to be heard and fought his with courage and constancy and out of that came a abuses that appear in or on the media and publish way out of Kimmage and profound physical disability decision to help the addicted and the alcoholic. So their findings for free to everyone on mediamatters. to write one of the classic Dublin tales, “Down All the often in his earlier and middle years, before diabetes org/research. They are the mortal enemy of Fox News Days,” will soon be open to the public. Dublin’s Christy and the gathering years took their toll, Jim would and other far right-wing outlets that omit, alter, lie, or Brown’s exhibition at the American Irish Historical volunteer to counsel and mentor the addicted. That make egregious and oftentimes intentional mistakes Society, 991 Fifth Ave, New York will be presented meant trips to strange settings, hours of long, pain- or errors without correction. from Nov. 11 to Nov. 24. Some time next year, Seamus ful periods at one end of a phone line with anguished Media Matters focuses mostly on those conservative Heaney’s artifacts will be on permanent exhibit at a sufferers. Jim used his humor, his understanding, outlets that reach a national audience or who have new site at the Bank of Ireland on College Green. … and his empathy with strength to help people in need a national listener base. Generally, Howie Carr’s The Irish-born scientist William Campbell of Donegal turn a desperate corner. He did it again and again, weekday radio program, which is aired on WRKO in is a co-winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize for Medicine. … getting the call, saving lives, and helping give people Boston, wouldn’t normally qualify, but his high level Does anyone care that US Sec of State John Kerry back their reason to live. of conservative misinformation, history of mocking uses private email? … A Belfast-Boston link between I cannot think of a calling – clerical-collared or white- rape victims, Muslims, Catholics, and the LGBT com- young people in these two cities has been set up by frocked – that deserves to be honored more. And that munity, among others, is so objectionable that Media the Boston City Council and Mayor Marty Walsh. was what Jim did, with no credit lines, no vainglory, Matters has started looking and listening to the Carr More news on this initiative to come. … I haven’t tried no self-congratulations. He simply answered the call output in the Boston Herald, and at WRKO Radio, for it yet, but something called nomorobo helps block out from the new friend in need that needed Jim. as long as he lasts there. hated robocalls. ... The Vatican Synod is closed and it’s I lost my youngest brother to an addiction centered Carr is a bottom-feeding predator with little or no jump ball on divorce and homosexualty between Pope on booze and pills. He was in his mid-thirties and concern for truth or civility. He delights in character- Francis and his Curia. Status quo? … A new film out harmless as a hippy hoe-down. He died with an entire izing the homeless as “bums.” He blames the rape of the North. “The Journey,” with Colm Meaney charts unrealized life in front of him. Young Steve O’Donnell victim for her own rape and attacks people based on the friendship of the late Ian Paisley and Martin never met or knew Jim Murphy or a facsimile, but I their races and religions. An anti-Catholic, he is an McGuinness. … You can’t make this up: in Texas wish it might have happened. outspoken nativisit who insults immigrants. Carr is college dorms Nerf guns are banned, and real ones are And, finally, a belated “well done” to one of life’s a destructive and divisive force in local media. People okay. Wow! … There is a strong to middling chance gentlemen, James F. Murphy, Jr., for finding should know what drivel their advertising dollars go that Pope Francis will be heading to Ireland for the the time and the compassion to reach out in life, to towards paying for. The more we know about these 2018 World Meeting of Families. be there in those dark, lonely hours. We honor his media slugs and what they are peddling, the better we Shannon Airport is far from dead. It just won “Airport memory, his years with us, his smile, and, always, will be at refuting their lies and racist rants. of the Year” for the second year in a row. … Dublin’s his generous spirit. Importing Priests Brings Warning – The Irish Trinity College has produced more entrepreneurs than Costello In Boston On ‘Shared Famine” – Frank Catholic Church, like the churches in America, are any other university in Europe sine 2010. … Four Costello and a loyalist Great Famine scholar, Jona- suffering a priest crisis. They are, as the churches are Irish hotels in Top Ten Euro resorts: County Clare than Hodge, who is working with Dr. Costello in currently structured, unable to find enough priests to Golf Links, Ashford Castle, Powerscourt Hotel, and raising the awareness of the tragedy of the mid-19th officiate and provide services at a level similar to what Kerry’s Sheen Falls Lodge. … The PSNI may have to century famine will be in Boston this month. There has been offered until recently. Many churches in the re-introduce 50-50 police recruitment to attract new will be a breakfast and book -signing fundraiser on United States are moving with increasing speed to Catholic officers. …Nancy Soderberg, of Bill Clin- Thurs., Nov. 12, on “Sharing the Past,” which is work- church clusters, where priests who had been curates ton’s National Security Office, urged northerners to ing with the youth from both traditions to update or pastors serving in a single church are now sharing get past flags, parades, etc. and focus on investment, Famine history and broad scope. All proceeds from religious duties in two or more churches. This devel- technology, and good schools. Sounds about right. … the fundraiser will go to Building Communities Ltd. opment has not met with universal acceptance in the Former Irish Minister Michael McDowell says that for youth programs in the North. US or Ireland, and in Ireland, particularly, there is the Dublin government had a mole in Sinn Fein ten The breakfast/book signing and a talk by Dr. Costello criticism from within such high visibility groups as years ago. … The 2019 British Open golf tournament will take place at Slowey/ McManus Communications, the Association of Irish Priests. is set for Royal Portrush in Antrim; it’s an event Suite 340, 11 Beacon St. in Boston from 8 a.m. to Due to priest shortages, Bishop John Kirby re- that is expected to boost the local economy. … Peter 9:30 a.m. If unable to attend, donations can be made cently invited two African priests to serve in Galway, Robinson, just back from a few weeks of R & R as to Building Communities, Ltd. c/o Bill O’Donnell. 47 Roscommon, and Offaly. And the dioceses of Ballinasloe Stormont heads to oblivion, says there are only weeks Cold Spring Place, Woonsocket, RI 02895. Suggested and Creagh and Loughrea have welcomed two new left “to save Stormont.” Well, he would know. … Mitt donation: sponsors $100, patrons $50. All are welcome. priests from Nigeria. Romney almost had steady work. He was piped as The thrust of the tour event in Boston will focus on The Association has warned that bringing in priests next US House speaker, I read somewhere. … Airbus the hidden effects of the Great Hunger and its impact from abroad to minister in Ireland will not solve the says the next Concorde could be crossing the Atlantic on youth in both traditions in wide swaths across vocation crisis in the Church. One priest offered that (London-New York) in a hour flat. … Nobel Laureate Ulster. For information about the youth programs or bringing in foreign priests is not the same as trans- John Hume and Ivan Cooper were both in Derry the Famine tour in Boston call 401-651-0800 or send ferring footballers, while another says “Priesting is for the unveiling of an updated civil rights mural at an email to [email protected]. different; language matters, culture matters, tradi- Glenfada Park. … Headline of the Week: “Benghazi Hurling Comes To Rhode Island – It all began tion matters ...” bubble bursts, GOP befuddled! with a high school student, Michael Walsh, who first I wonder how many of the bishops complaining bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 11 Irish International Immigrant Center Immigration Q&A The Waiting Game: IIIC 2015 Solas Celebration Immigration Thurs., Dec. 3, at the Seaport Hotel Our Solas Awards Cel- processing ebration will be held at the Q. I’m planning to file an application with US Citi- Seaport Hotel in Boston zenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adjust on Thurs., Dec. 3. This my status to that of legal permanent resident based on annual event, hosted by my marriage to a US citizen. I understand that this the Irish International can take a long time, and I heard that there is a way Immigrant Center, gives to pay a special fee to get an application on the fast recognition to men and track. Is this true? women whose leadership A. Currently USCIS offers what it calls “premium and service make a differ- processing” for a $1,225 fee (in addition to the normal ence in the community. application fees) only with regard to certain employ- This year, the recipients ment-based visa petitions. Other applications, such of the Solas Award will be as those to adjust immigration status based on family The Hon. Martin Walsh, relationships, are processed on a first-come, first-served Mayor of Boston; The Hon. basis. Processing times vary with the type of application Linda Dorcena Forry, and the particulars of individual cases. Adjustment a Massachusetts state of status cases based on marriage to a US citizen, for senator; James Rooney, example, has been taking on average around three to President of the Greater four months from the date of filing to the adjustment Boston Chamber of Com- Jimmy Tingle: On the job interview in the USCIS Boston regional office. Appli- merce; and Robert Cough- Annually attended by entertainment, a network- please visit iiicenter.org cations for naturalization have generally been taking lin, President and Chief hundreds of IIIC friends ing reception, and a silent or contact Mary Kerr, a little longer. Executive Officer of the and supporters, the Solas auction. For seat reser- Development Associate, at USCIS does provide what it calls “expedited process- Massachusetts Biotech- Awards Celebration will vations, sponsorships, or 617-695-1554 or mkerr@ ing” for no extra fee in cases where its “expedite criteria” nology Council. also feature live music and auction item donations, iiicenter.org have been met. USCIS stresses very strongly that it will expedite processing only when there is, for example, IIIC Updates Art Reception: Please be served. Special thanks new immigrants to Boston an “extreme emergent situation,” or the likelihood of Legal Clinics join IIIC staff, volunteers, to our benefactor, Art Col- and Massachusetts from “severe financial loss,” or a humanitarian situation. • Tues., Nov 2, and and board members as lection. Please RSVP by the 2015 Golden Bridges Our experience is that USCIS means what it says Tues., Nov. 17 – IIIC of- we share our current Nov. 3 to Mary Kerr at Alliance of Boston and about its strict criteria for accelerated processing, and fices, 100 Franklin St., work, plans for 2016, [email protected] or Northwest Ireland. The such requests are granted rarely. Still, cases do arise downtown Boston. Lower and a toast to our cen- 617-695.1554. reception was held on the when the agency will accept an accelerated processing Level. Entrance is at 201 ter’s newly donated art IIIC Receives 2015 closing day of the Seventh request. If you think you may have such a case, let us Devonshire Street pieces. Thurs., Nov. 5, Golden Bridges Award: Annual Golden Bridges know, and we can help you to evaluate your chances. • Mon., Nov. 9 – Green 5:30 p.m., 100 Franklin The staff of the IIIC were Conference. Here are some other points about case processing: Briar Pub, 304 Washing- Street, Boston (enter at on hand at the Seaport Ho- • Applicants can track the processing of pending ton Street, Brighton. 201 Devonshire Street). tel to receive an award cit- Happy Thanksgiving cases with USCIS online at uscis.gov or by calling the Open House and Light refreshments will ing its work in welcoming to All! agency’s customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. When checking case status, have the application receipt Matters of Substance number and other documentation from USCIS ready. • Make sure that USCIS has current address information for mailing notices of action and other important communications to applicants. Address changes can be ‘Happy Ever After’ in Recovery? submitted online; this should be taken care of as soon as an applicant moves to a new residence. We have Everything in Good Time seen numerous instances where applicants wonder why they have not heard from USCIS for many months, and “I have been sober from available to you. Your family members it turns out that mail from the agency was returned alcohol and drugs for over Addiction problems have their own recovery as undeliverable. four months now. I feel have a huge impact on us path. There is plenty of • Keep in mind that processing times refer to the physically much better individually and on those support in Al-Anon, Nar- amount of time it takes the government agency to get and go to AA meetings we are closest to. Being in Anon and Al-Ateen groups to a particular application that is actionable when filed. every day. I never believed recovery does not mean as well as individual, This is different from the waiting time, for example, for that I would have friends saying sorry to your fam- couple, group, and fam- visa numbers to become available in categories other without going to the pub. ily forever. However, the ily counseling. Ask your than immediate relatives of US citizens. The waiting I am delighted to discover hurt, pain, and upset that friends in the meetings time in such cases can last many years under current that at these meetings I am addiction can cause do not how they have coped with law, based on the limited number of visas that Congress able to talk and enjoy other disappear once the person re-building new relation- provides each year. people’s company without becomes sober. Think ships at home. Recovery IIIC can assist applicants with case status and pro- alcohol or drugs. However, about how long you had for your entire family is cessing time inquiries. If you have questions about this I feel very disheartened by a problem with alcohol/ possible. It takes time and or any other aspect of immigration law, visit one of our my relationships with my drugs – five or ten years? patience, but trust will weekly legal clinics for a free, confidential consultation. wife and my family. When Longer? grow again for all of you. I was in treatment, they That length of time is If you or a loved one Disclaimer: These articles are published to inform were very honest about also how long your family is struggling with addic- generally, not to advise in individual cases. US Citi- how I had hurt them and has been living with the tion to alcohol or other Gina Kelleher zenship and Immigration Services and the US Depart- I have since apologized to addiction. They did not drugs, please reach out ment of State frequently amend regulations and alter them all. I am beginning go into a treatment center in confidence to Gina at Learn2cope.org. This non- processing and filing procedures. For legal advice seek to feel that they want me and have not had a chance 617 542 7654, Ext. 14, or profit network offers fami- the assistance IIIC immigration legal staff. to apologize forever! My yet to let go of the hurt to [email protected] lies, support, education, three children still don’t and anger even though For more information resources, and hope when talk to me about their days the alcohol/drugs are about this issue, visit the dealing with recovery. in school or camp .When I out of your life. For your Learn to Cope website, come home from a meeting children, it can feel like I feel that no one is happy having a stranger in the to see me. I thought things house and they need time THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS RECRUITING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN would get better once I to get to know you again. TO SERVE AS BOSTON POLICE CADETS was sober but I feel that Everyone has to re-learn my family is still trying to how to live together. It become a punish me. What can I do?” may sound dramatic, but It is a huge achieve- just as you have learned to CADET ment to be able to stay get through a day without away from alcohol and drugs, to find friends and drugs day after day and acceptance without alco- your physical recovery is hol - your family needs a testament to your ef- time to learn how to live forts.Boston Congratulations!Irish Reporter It without the constant wor- soundsFoley Law as Offices if you Ad have re- rying about their husband April 2, 2015 ally embraced the support and father. Comedian, Commentator and Founder of Humor for Humanity Jimmy Tingle as emcee.

cityofboston.gov/jobs Poetry by Harlym 125 (Jamele Adams) to be eligible you must BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24 BE A CURRENT RESIDENT OF BOSTON, AND HAVE MAINTAINED BOSTON RESIDENCY FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS  BE A CITIZEN OF THE U.S. (617) 973-6448 8 Faneuil Hall Marketplace Boston, MA 02109 HAVE A VALID MASSACHUSETTS DRIVERS LICENSE TAKE AND PASS THE UPCOMING POLICE CADET EXAM, HELD ON NOVEMBER 14, 2015 AT THE BOSTON CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTER. Claim your Heritage. Apply for Irish Citizenship today! apply online at If your parent or grandparent was born in Ireland, you are eligible WWW.CITYOFBOSTON.GOV/JOBS to become an Irish citizen. Our attorneys will help locate your APPLICATION DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 1, 2015 documents and file your application. Contact Foley Law Offices FOR MORE INFORMATION call Honorees include: Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh; The Hon. Linda Dorcena Forry, Massachusetts Senate; to begin your citizenship application at (617) 973-6448. 617-343-4677 James E. Rooney, President of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce; Robert K. Coughlin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council

Page 12 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com EATING AND EMOTION Dr. Bernadette Rock Some easy rules for healthy eating

By Dr. Bernadette Rock Special to the BIR The days of calorie counting and low fat diet foods have been replaced with clean eating, the new buzz phrase in nutrition. It can mean purchasing organic food, choosing ‘whole’ and ‘natural’ foods. Yet a part of it still seems a bit ‘diet-y’ to me, a euphemism for diet when the word ‘diet’ has become unfashionable. Our obsessive diet culture and clean eating is about extremes. I notice a strong habit among clients whereby restrictive eating is always followed by out-of- control eating or a binge. It’s an “all Buddy The Elf spreads his holiday cheer in “Elf The Musical,” playing The Citi Wang Theater from No- or nothing” mental- vember 17 - December 6. Joan Marcus photo ity, of either being “good” or “bad,” on the wagon or off. Some will “eat He makes “Elf” dance clean” and exercise By R. J. Donovan four times a week Special to the BIR for a month, and “Elf” first jingled to life as a holiday film in 2003. It then do nothing for immediately became an audience favorite, taking in another two months more than $30 million in ticket sales in its first week. but eat curry and go “Elf” tells the story of Buddy, a young orphan who out. Yo-yo dieting mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts only to be wreaks havoc on transported back to the North Pole. He’s unaware the body, and the that he’s human, but his enormous size and poor toy- ups and downs can making skills cause him to face the fact that he has be exhausting. never been an elf at all. Bernadette Rock and her Clean eating and With Santa’s blessing, Buddy embarks on a holi- daughter Keela. the ‘all-or-nothing’ day journey to New York City to find his birth father mentality is ap- and learn who he really is. Along the way, he spreads pealing to people a high-spirited dose of holiday cheer and helps Manhat- who have high expectations for themselves and tan discover the true meaning of Christmas. are perfectionists. If their eating isn’t perfect, it’s In 2010, “Elf The Musical” opened on Broadway, not good enough, hence “I’ve eaten a few biscuits, with a score by Tony nominees Matthew Sklar and I might as well finish the packet.” A problem with Chad Beguelin, and a book by Thomas Meehan (“The black-and-white thinking is that it skews your Producers”) and Bob Martin (“The Drowsy Chaperone”). perspective. Imagine if you spilt a few drops of A new holiday touring production, featuring Eric Pe- orange juice on your white shirt, and thought, terson as Buddy and Christiane Noll as Emily, comes “It’s a complete mess, it’s destroyed.” The reality to The Citi Wang Theatre from Nov. 17 to Dec. 6. is that it can be salvaged. It’s only a few drops. Choreography for “Elf” is by the affable Connor Gal- Part of a balanced approach lies in understand- lagher, who created the choreography for the show’s ing that different days require different ways first national tour. His many credits include “Into of eating. It’s normal to overeat some days and The Woods” for the Public Theater in Central Park, Connor Gallagher, choreographer for “Elf The Musi- under-eat other days. “But I need rules” you “The Robber Bridegroom” at Roundabout Theater, and cal,” playing The Citi Wang Theater from November might say. Here are some loose guidelines from Disney’s current “Beauty & The Beast” tour. 17 - December 6. Matt Murphy photo Heyday’s award-winning online program, which We spoke as Gallagher was putting the finishing re-trains your mindset around: touches on a new musical stage version of Disney’s • Try not to treat any foods as bad – This “Tangled,” set to open on Disney’s Cruise Lines on Q. Speaking of beating people down, what are your rarely works and often intensifies food craving Nov. 11. thoughts about shows like “Dance Moms” and “So you may have. Food is just food; it’s neither good Q. A name like Connor Gallagher certainly rings You Think You Can Dance?” Do they build genuine nor bad. It’s how we think about it that is often true as Irish. interest in dancing or is it more about the drama of the problem. You are not what you eat – “I’m A. And my middle name is Kennedy. It doesn’t get competition than the art? vegan,” “I’m paleo.” Once you merge your identity more Irish. I’m named after one of the characters A. I think it gets people excited and gets people talking with a diet, you’re locked in. in “Trinity.” My Mom was reading it when she was about dance, and taking an interest in dance more than • Reward yourself, but not with food – pregnant. ever before. The danger, I think, is when you’re watch- Finding other ways to reward and treat yourself Q. So how did you begin performing? ing a dance bite, which is 90 seconds, perhaps. You’re besides eating is absolutely essential. Will these A. I started as a competitive gymnast when I was a watching incredible dancers do things they wouldn’t other ways be as effective at soothing you as kid. My parents tried me in all the sports and gymnastics necessarily sustain for a two-hour performance. For food? Definitely not! The things you come up was the one that stuck. We had to take ballet classes 90 seconds, to wow an audience and to win a game with will help somewhat, but to manage your on Tuesdays and I gradually let go of gymnastics and show is one thing. The only problem I have with it, weight, it is crucial to distinguish and separate started doing a little bit more ballet. And then I sort really, is when people come to the theater expecting that 90-second dance bite to be sustained. mind hunger from stomach hunger. of fell into theater. I started studying dance formally Q. So let’s talk a bit about “Elf.” How did you ap- • Get as much of your nutritional intake as probably around 10 or 11. proach creating choreography for the show? possible from a variety of unprocessed foods Q. Do you remember your first time on stage? A. I was sort of given the dance arrangements, where – Include fruits and vegetables but also poultry, A. My Mom says I was always a bit of a ham. It’s always hard to tell when you’re a kid what your objec- in some shows – like in “Tangled,” the one I’m doing fish, meat and eggs that haven’t been altered or right now – I create from the ground up. For “Elf” . . processed. Choose brown rice over white rice, tive is, but I was always cracking jokes. I remember my first time on stage – I played Petey in “Petey and . it’s like scaffolding. I get to color it in with my own and whole grains over refined grains. Eating at [thoughts] . . . The script says Buddy and the Macy’s home allows you to avoid processed ingredients the Purple Caterpillar.” And my Mom thought, well, he’s a star. And my Mom is not a stage Mom . . . I do workers decorate the store. Through the course of the more easily. It allows you full control over what dance we’re supposed to learn how Buddy, through you eat, and allows you to choose the flavours remember just being very comfortable. I never had any problems up there. his magical infectious energy and spirit, transforms you prefer. Macy’s and its workers.” [There’s] “the New York • Eat with other people, as often as pos- Q. You eventually shifted from performer to choreographer. How did that happen? City Christmas we all seem to think we know in our sible – It will most likely make you eat more minds, where it’s perpetually snowing and beautiful slowly. Many of my clients notice they eat dif- A. I went to college at the University of Cincinnati, the Conservatory there. And I spent my summers and everyone’s happy and cheery. Through the course ferently when by themselves - faster, bigger of the dance, it’s my job to create that moment.” forkfuls, less chewing. Eating bowls of cereal working at the St. Louis Muny. I got my equity card and right out of school I booked a Broadway show (the Q. Do you find it’s a benefit that audiences come into when you know no one is looking can leave you the theater already loving the story, or is it a challenge feeling ashamed and guilty. final Broadway company of “Beauty & The Beast”). Immediately I knew I wanted to choreograph. I was to live up to their expectations? These rules are flexible and balanced, and try A. It’s funny, I didn’t really start to take that into to help you be more aware and deliberate about like 18. And that’s how I got to where I am. Q. Anyone special inspire you as you were coming consideration until after we had done the first produc- what you eat. It’s so easy to eat more than you tion . . . I love the film, but I guess I didn’t take into need and to believe that change should come in along? A. My dance teacher was a woman named Deb- account how iconic the characters were and how iconic the form of drastic dietary changes. Re-thinking some of the lines were. Of course we try to play true to and re-formatting our relationship with food is bie Pigliavento who was dance captain on “A Chorus Line” and “42nd Street” on Broadway. Her style of those . . . We’re honoring the original script, but also crucial to long-term sustainable change. we’re telling it in a completely different medium . . . Send your comments or questions to hello@ teaching and her work ethic were really strongly rooted in old school Broadway. It’s just practice makes Audiences have been surprised and delighted about heydayworld.com and check out heydayworld. what we’re able to do with it. com for further details. perfect. Truly, that’s all it is. It’s not about beating people down, nor is it about giving them false hope. R. J. Donovan is editor and publisher of onstagebos- It’s a very, very, tough industry and she always taught ton.com. Wishing you good health, ••• Dr. Bernadette Rock (PhD) me, ‘Work as hard as you possibly can, recognize your strengths, strengthen your weaknesses,’ and that’s “Elf The Musical,” Nov. 17 - Dec. 6, Citi Wang Theatre, still, to this day, even as a choreographer, what rings 270 Tremont Street, Boston. Tickets: 800-982-2787 or true in my daily process. citicenter.org. bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 13 For BCMFest, 13 is the number: Celebration set for Jan. 8 and 9

The Boston area’s annu- (fiddle) and John Coyne al homegrown celebration (bouzouki). of Celtic music and dance, • The Boston Urban BCMFest (Boston’s Celtic Ceilidh features partici- Music Fest), will mark 13 patory and social dances years when it takes place from the Irish, Scottish, this coming January 8 and Cape Breton tradi- and 9. tions, all with live music. This family-friendly No experience is neces- festival draws performers sary – all dances will be of all ages from around cap finale concert in First Rushy Mountaineers; and taught. Greater Boston, present- Church, Cambridge. Highland Dance Boston. • BCMFest’s Saturday ing music, song, and dance BCMFest is a program The BCMFest Nightcap “Dayfest” begins in the from Irish, Scottish, Cape of Passim, a Cambridge- concert will feature a num- morning at Club Passim Breton and other Celtic- based non-profit seeking ber of festival performers with songs, storytelling related traditions. Events to build a vibrant mu- as well as special guests. and other entertainment are held in Harvard sic community through As a bonus, BCMFest geared toward children Square’s Club Passim (47 its legendary listening will once again offer a and families. Palmer Street) and also venue, music school, art- series of classes taught • “Dayfest” also includes nearby at First Church, ist grants and outreach by festival performers on participatory events in Cambridge (3 Church initiatives. Saturday afternoon at the The Attic of First Church, Street) and The Atrium At press time, perform- Passim School of Music such as Irish and Scot- (50 Church Street). ers confirmed to appear (26 Church Street). Infor- tish music sessions and Performances begin at the festival included: mation and registration instruction in Scottish with the Friday night Lindsay Straw; Nathan will be available via the country dance. Roots & Branches Concert Gourley, Laura Fedderson festival website at passim. • BCMFest is noted in Club Passim, then con- and John Coyne; Kieran org/bcmfest. for its special collabora- tinue on Saturday – start- Jordan; Caroline O’Shea A look at some high- tions and workshops, in ing with children’s and and Tim Buckley; The lights of BCMFest 2016: which performers often family entertainment in Kelly Girls; Joe Deleaut; • Friday night’s “Roots unite around a particular the morning – at Club Pas- Scottish Fish; Realta and Branches” concert theme or focus. Among Multi-genre fiddler Mari Black makes her BCMFest sim and on three different Geala; Elizabeth and Ben at Club Passim offers a the showcases planned debut in 2016. Anderson; Audrey Bud- sample of the innovative, stages in First Church, for BCMFest 2016 are and Branches” concert es”/Boston Urban Ceilidh/ Cambridge. BCMFest ington and Clayton Clem- dynamic sounds to be “Sliabh Luachra,” a sam- etson; the Friends of Kyte heard in Boston’s Celtic – $28, $25 for Passim Dayfest/Nightcap) is $55, also features a number pling of the unique music members; Boston Urban $45 for Passim members. of participatory events, MacKillop; Mari Black; music community today. tradition from the west of Gus LaCasse; Buttons This year’s performers Ceilidh – $15 in advance, Beginning Dec. 1, the including the Boston Ur- Ireland, with The Rushy $20 at the door; Saturday combo pass will be $65, ban Ceilidh – BCMFest’s and Keys; Molly Pinto include singer/guitarist Mountaineers and the duo Madigan; Fellswater; Lindsay Straw, whose “Dayfest” – $15, $13 for $55 for Passim members. popular Celtic dance party of Caroline O’Shea and Passim members; BC- All ticket information, – which takes place on Royal Scottish Country repertoire spans Scottish, Tim Buckley, and “Sing- Dance Society of Boston; Northern Irish and Irish MFest Nightcap – $25, performer updates and opening night in The ing Along in The Attic,” $20 for Passim members. other details about the Atrium. Oran Mor; Jigs and Saws; traditions, and the Irish with Oran Mor and The Colleen White and Sean traditional music trio of Early-bird full festival festival will be available The festival’s crowning Kelly Girls. passes will be on sale dur- at passim.org/bcmfest. event will be the Saturday Smith; After the Morning; Nathan Gourley (fiddle, Individual prices for Liz and Dan Faiella; The guitar), Laura Fedderson ing November: a combo evening BCMFest Night- BCMFest 2016 are: “Roots pass (“Roots and Branch- For Low Lily, nee Annalivia, there’s a rebirth in the making By Sean Smith Simmons, who also has sung with Clancy, Special to the BIR worked with former Solas vocalist Karan Adieu, Annalivia. Hello, Low Lily. Casey and was a member of the (sadly) For the better part of a decade, the now-defunct all-female quartet Long Eastern Massachusetts-based band An- Time Courting; Schneckenburger, along nalivia presented an intriguing brew of with Cohen, is part of the occasional folk/acoustic music that encompassed Celtic band Halali, and also appears material from Irish, Scottish, Cape with the Boston-based fiddle ensemble Breton, English, and American tradi- Childsplay. tions, marked by a skillful level of ar- But make no mistake, the line-up and rangement and performance, at venues name change reflects a further, defini- and events such as Club Passim, Irish tive step away from what Annalivia was. Connections (ICONS), BCMFest ,and the For all its artistic and critical success, New Bedford Folk Festival. In their early Annalivia also exemplified the challenge years, an Annalivia set list or CD would of keeping a band together while balanc- include a brisk Cape Breton marching professional interests and personal strathspey-reel medley, a centuries-old considerations, in a day and age when ballad from the British Isles that found many folk musicians typically juggle its way to the Appalachians, a couple several different collaborations. of Irish jigs, even a Richard Thompson “Bands tend to be short-lived; you burn cover or two. hot for a while, then fizzle out,” says A series of departures and arrivals al- Simmons. “I thought that as wonderful a tered the band’s line-up – from quartet to thing as Annalivia was, because of all the quintet, back to quartet and then to trio roster changes, the potential ultimately – and over time its musical focus shifted, faded. We wanted to build something concentrating more on the American/ The trio Low Lily, formerly known as Annalivia, is (L-R) Lissa Schneckenburger, new, have a rebirth in terms of our mu- Appalachian branches than the Irish- Liz Simmons and Flynn Cohen. Andy Cambria photo sical identity and how we manage it.” Scottish-British roots. Annalivia also “We’re less self-conscious now about began to integrate more original songs its CD/EP with a concert on Nov. 11 at They are joined by fiddler-vocalist Lissa categorizing our sound,” explains Cohen. and tunes, further diversifying its sound. Club Passim in Harvard Square. Schneckenburger, a Maine native who “For us, it’s a multifaceted, inclusive And then last year saw several drastic Some things haven’t changed, notably has been part of the New England folk music that is a product of everything we changes for the band: yet another new the presence of Annalivia/Low Lily’s scene for some years. do. So while we certainly are influenced line-up, a new base of operations and, last co-founders, Flynn Cohen (guitar, man- Also unchanged are the band’s impres- by, and play traditional music, we’re but not least, a new name – Low Lily. dolin, vocals) and Liz Simmons (guitar, sive credentials from the Irish/Celtic not tied to it. We feel we can draw on Now headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., percussion vocals), whose musical domain: Cohen has played with John other interests and influences – even Low Lily will mark the recent release of partnership pre-dates their marriage. Whelan, Cathie Ryan and Aoife Clancy; Continued on page 25) A busy November schedule for Irish/Celtic music events Handmade since 1925 A look at some upcoming tive take on Celtic music the annual benefit con- Irish/Celtic-related mu- that includes swing jazz, cert for the Somerville sic events in the Greater bluegrass, baroque, and Homeless Coalition, Boston area: other influences. Flan- on Dec. 2. The concert, The Burren Back- nery won two top awards which begins at 7:30 room series will have at the 2004 US Songwrit- p.m., features local and a double bill on Nov. 4 ing Competition in Nash- visiting acts representing with the harp-guitar duo ville, and then went on to not only Irish and Celtic Máire Ní Chathasaigh capture the music world’s but also other musical and Chris Newman attention with his 2007 styles. At press time, at 7:30 p.m. and Cork debut, “Evening Train”; performers confirmed to singer-songwriter Mick he’s just released his fifth appear included Burren Flannery at 10 p.m. Ní album, “By the Rule.” owners Tommy McCarthy Chathasaigh and New- *** and Louise Costello, with man, who have released The Backroom series guests; klezmer musician, six recordings, perform also will host what’s be- composer and scholar a distinctive and innova- come a very special event: Continued on page 25) Page 14 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Take the Next Step

University of Massachusetts Boston TRANSFER OPEN HOUSE Thursday, November 5 Learn about our 100+ majors from college representatives 4–7 p.m. Attend a transfer credit presentation Speak with staff from Admissions, Financial Aid, Merit Scholarships, and Veterans Affairs

RESERVE YOUR PLACE! WWW.UMB.EDU/TRANSFERNOW 617.287.6000

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Famine Folios—four essays by distinguished scholars

ROBE R T S M A R T

IRELAND ' S G R E AT H U N G E R M U S E U M

3011 Whitney Avenue | Hamden, Connecticut

FOR MUSEUM INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT WWW.IGHM.ORG OR CALL 203-582-6500 bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 15

䜀䔀吀夀伀唀刀吀䤀䌀䬀䔀吀匀䄀吀爀攀搀猀漀砀⸀挀漀洀⼀椀爀椀猀栀昀攀猀琀椀瘀愀氀 Page 16 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com

Please join Irish Network Boston as we celebrate our IN Boston 5th Anniversary Celebration during the Irish Network USA National Conference Friday, November 6, 2015 • 6:30pm -10:00pm The Massachusetts State House Live entertainment, hors d'ouvres, and open bar

Tickets on sale at www.irishnetworkboston.net bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 17

CD Reviews ous rapport with one another that is simply joyous ley-ending to behold; they play fast, but under control. Then reel in A By Sean Smith there’s Mike Galvin, who supplies rhythm primar- that gives The Boys of the Lough, “The New Line” • ily through guitar but also plays bass, keyboards, the set one Over the past few years, several prominent Irish/ percussion and a bit of dobro; he’s experienced in last forward Celtic bands have hit significant milestones of du- different musical styles, but he certainly under- thrust (the rability, notably The Chieftains (50 years), Cherish stands how to drive traditional Irish tunes along late Johnny the Ladies (30 years), Altan and Dervish (25 years), energetically and tastefully. C u n n i n g - and Lúnasa (15 years), to name a few. So, let’s tip There’s not a lot of subtlety or variation to Break- ham always our collective hats to the Boys of the Lough, which ing Trad’s approach, and truth to tell, none is par- called A “the is well past the four-decade mark. ticularly necessary. Basically, the Murphys set a fastest key”) The Boys groove with their tight playing, and Galvin drives Somewhat have some- things along in a splendidly brisk manner, whether l e s s s u c - times been it’s a sets of reels (“The Long Drop/Naughton’s/Wing cessful is a overlooked in Commander Donald McKenzie”; “Jenny Picking rendition of latter years, Cockles/Heron on the Water/The Mortgage Burn”; Jay Ungar’s due in part “Farewell to Connacht/Sweeney’s Buttermilk/The “ A s h o k e n to periods of Boyne Hunt”) and jigs (“Katy is Waiting/Anton F a r e w e l l ” relative in- McKinney’s/The Rock”; “Humours of Ballyloughlin/ (you know, that tune from the PBS “Civil War” activity and Rógaire Dubh/Seanduine Dóite”), a trio of polkas or series) if only because it’s become such a staple few new re- a medley of slides. At some points, a fiddle and/or throughout the session world that you really could cordings – accordion is double-tracked – such as on “Donald do without hearing it for a while. On a similar note by contrast, MacKenzie,” with Niall playing a bassy, rhythmic are two frequently covered songs, “Silver Dagger” they put out counterpoint – or Galvin reaches into his grab-bag and “The Blacksmith,” with guest vocalist Pauline 11 albums of instruments to supplement guitar with, say, Hartigan: She’s got a fine set of pipes, honed through over their piano (“The Rock”) or dobro (“Shetland Reel”). But jazz and pop, and while there’s nothing wrong, per first decade the propulsion never lags. se, with her delivery or the band’s arrangements, or so – but You listen carefully enough, you hear those little ultimately neither track really advances the cause; there’s no question about their lofty place in the nuggets – a brief harmony there, a flourish from you just find yourself waiting for the next set of tunes. Irish folk music annals. For one thing, the list of Niall’s fiddle, a cracker of a triplet from Donal’s ac- Fortunately, though, nothing about “Breaking musicians who have been in the group is more cordion – that attest to virtuosity. And then there’s Trad” is sufficiently broken to require fixing. than a little impressive, including the likes of Dick the visceral joy of hearing the trio segue into a med- Gaughan, Aly Bain, Mike Whellans, Robin Morton, Christy O’Leary, and John Coakley. The band’s focus on the connections between the Irish (both north and south), Scottish and Shetland folk traditions was, at the time, a new and exciting perspective – in many ways it still is. And then there was their sheer technical brilliance and well-crafted ensemble playing, eschewing electric instruments and other rock/contemporary influences found elsewhere in the Irish folk revival, yet producing a fresh, vibrant sound. Charter member Cathal McConnell (flute, whistle, vocals) of Fermanagh remains the link to the band’s beginnings, and more importantly, to its Northern Irish character; fiddler Kevin Henderson replaced Aly Bain more than a decade ago, ensuring the Shetland and Scottish traditions are represented in the group. West Kerry’s Brendan Begley brought accordion and Gaelic singing into the mix when he joined in the late 1990s, and more recent arrival Garry O’Briain’s piano and guitar, along with his mandocello, diversify the Boys’ rhythmic texture. While Begley and O’Briain’s presence has served to broaden the band’s sound – especially through the addition of a strong third melody instrument in Begley’s accordion – what hasn’t changed is its attention to detail or the precision in getting just the right balance and tone among the instruments. From the get-go, a powerful set of four reels that begins with their signature tune – introduced flaw- lessly by McConnell and Henderson – the Boys establish (or re-establish) the fidelity and charm for which they’re known. Other highlights of “The New Line” include a rare version of the jig “The Gold Ring” that is led by Begley with O’Briain’s piano; a set of reels from the repertoire of legendary Donegal fiddler (and one-time Boston resident) Tommy Peoples; a quartet of slides that, rather than played at break-neck speed, are explored for fuller melodic and harmonic possibilities, courtesy of McConnell’s whistle and Begley’s accordion; and a delightful, whimsical take on the reel “Chase Her Through the Garden” that goes through seemingly every key in the book. One of the band’s most treasured constants has been the pure, sweetly-hued singing of McConnell, and his voice is in full flower on “Liffey Side” and “The Boston Burgler,” two tug-at-the-heartstrings songs penned by Mayo singer and collector Delia Murphy, and “The Cavan Road,” a Monaghan song with a particularly beguiling melody. Begley’s ornate Gaelic singing is equally compelling, and to great effect, on “Fill Fill A Rún Ó,” in which a mother pleads with her lapsed-Catholic priest of a son to renounce Protestantism and return to the fold. And here let’s pause to praise the masterful accompaniment on both songs and instrumentals by O’Briain – his sensitive touch on piano, along with his classical/jazz-influenced guitar style, suit the band perfectly. Somewhat disappointing is that there’s less of the Shetland/Scottish dimension here: Henderson gets a turn in the spotlight on the air, “Da Smug- glers,” and Begley closes the album with “Nuair a Ráining Mi ‘m Baile,” a tragic Scottish Gaelic love song he learned through Flora MacNeil from the Isle of Barra. But “The New Line” is a more-than-worthy entry in the band’s distinguished portfolio. The Boys are back. Breaking Trad, “Breaking Trad” • No, this trio doesn’t wear sunglasses and pork pie hats – and, thankfully, they do not run crystal meth operations, either – nor pay any homage to Bryan Cranston. What they do is churn out jigs, reels, polkas, and slides with alacrity and gusto. It certainly helps matters when the trio includes a pair of former All-Ireland winners in accordionist Dónal Murphy of West Limerick and fiddler Niall Murphy from South Armagh, who have an obvi- Page 18 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com The Boston Irish Honors 2015 for Excellence in Business and Philanthropy Margaret Stapleton’s credo: Work hard, be honest and faithful, and help others By Ed Forry weren’t careful it could blow your ears out. BIR Publisher “I sorted mail, dispatched the mailmen, Margaret Stapleton arrived in Boston from recorded them in when they returned, sold County Tipperary in July 1955, then settled with stamps, and gave the old age pensioners their cousins in Scituate. She accepted an entry-level checks. I learned Morse Code and transmit- job with the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance ted weather information up to Dublin. But I Co. and earned BS and MBA degrees by taking wasn’t very good at it, I must admit, and I evening college classes over more than a decade’s think it was the Morse Code that drove me time. She has been a longtime volunteer at Pine from the post office.” Street Inn and plays an active role with Irish or- When she was age 18, Margaret recalls, she ganizations including the Eire Society, Charitable reflected on her life at that point: “I was in Irish, and the Irish Pastoral Centre. the post office and behind the counter, and I thought to myself; ‘Am I going to spend the The early years in Ireland rest of my life behind this counter? Doing this Margaret Stapleton’s parents emigrated or what my mother spoke so fondly of: life to the states in the 1920s. Although they in the states?’ So I went home for Christmas both hailed from County Tipperary, William and mentioned it to mom.” Stapleton and Mary Anne Lyons first met in Her mother quickly wrote to her Boston New York, married, and settled down there cousins and asked them to look after her to begin their family. Mary Anne gave birth daughter when she arrived in Boston. to a girl and then a boy just as the Great De- “So I quit the post office,” said Margaret. “I pression began. sent in a resignation notice, and I got a letter Her parents became naturalized American back accepting my resignation, and in the let- citizens, and, says Margaret, her mother loved ter the last words were, ‘Don’t come back.’ I her life in this country. But her father struggled Margaret Stapleton: A long way from Tipperary. guess the letter had been written by someone to find work, so in 1933, the parents boarded the rabbits because they wanted the meat for in Dublin, a civil servant, I suppose, who was a ship and headed back to the Emerald Isle the soldiers, and the fur for their boots. That’s irritated with having to write this letter. The with their children. Three years later, Margaret what I remember about the war.” idea was, ‘We invested all this money and came into the world. Did she ever catch any rabbits to bring training in you, and you’re quitting on us.’ “My father wanted to come back to Ireland home? “Yes, in those years in the country in It was the best decision I ever made!” and my mother had inherited a small farm Ireland you know, there was no refrigeration. “Mother’s last words to me were, ‘No, you’re from her uncle,” Margaret said in an interview You had salt bacon every once in awhile, and not going to take a ship; you’re going to fly as she recalled some of her family’s history. we would tire of that. We were in the country over because you can get there faster and you “My father wanted to return but my mother and not close to the ocean so we couldn’t can get to work faster.’” did not – she was very happy in the states get fish; maybe a few in the stream, but that and she wanted to stay here. My brother Bill was it. So we would bring the rabbit into my New country, new life was two and Mary four when they returned. dear mother and she would stop whatever In that summer of 1955, Margaret boarded It was my mother’s family farm near the vil- she was doing so she could skin the rabbit a Pan Am plane in Ireland that stopped to lage of Burn Court in the butt of the Galtee and we would have fresh meat – that’s right. refuel in Gander before touching down in mountains in south Tip. Two years later I was What a treat! Boston after a 14-hour flight. The city was in born and then later it was my brother James.” the middle of a July heat wave as her mother’s Margaret lived her early years on that family A mother’s yen for education relatives greeted her at the airport. She had farm in Tipperary, but her father wanted to “My mother wanted her girls to be educated. never experienced such hot weather. Her move back to his old home area, and in 1945 She said to me, ‘You are going to get an educa- cousins drove through the Sumner Tunnel he bought a farm in north Tip, just outside of tion because you are not going to inherit the (on the wrong side of the road!), and emerged Thurles, and the family moved again. farm.’ My sister went to a boarding school. into the city, where she had her first view of As a girl, did Margaret work on the farm? But when I came along, I guess money was the tall buildings “all clustered together.” “Yes, I did! No doubt about that. In those days a little tighter, so they bought me a bicycle “I’m not in my country anymore,” she recalls there were a lot of mixed farms of all kinds and I would bicycle five miles each way to thinking to herself. – with livestock, it was chickens, geese, milk Thurles for secondary school. In the winter it Then it was on to Scituate, where her cousins, cows, calves, horses, pigs; for crops it was was dark all day; you would leave for school Mary Pearl Ritterhaus and Josephine Murphy, wheat, oats, turnips, potatoes, and sugar beets. that began at nine and be home after four. In made room for her in their home. “There was a sugar beet factory in Thurles – Burn Court it was a two-room classroom and Two weeks later, the teenage Margaret one of four in all of Ireland – and sometimes I later in Thurles it was a one-room classroom. Stapleton went to work in her first job in would go to town to bring the crops, and just “We were left to study on our own in sec- America as an entry-level clerk at the John to get off the farm. It was a great expedition, ondary school, and we had one nun for all Hancock Mutual Life Insurance company. a great adventure. four grades who was amazing. Her name was The position paid $8 a day. “Through World War II, we lived with lots Sister Rosaria, and she was from the Mercy or- “It was a whole different culture,” she of rations, but living on the farm we did have der. There were ten girls in this class: A couple recalled. “It was exciting. I was just 19, and enough for ourselves. I do remember them at (of them) dropped out for whatever reason, I was working within two weeks. I went in school telling us there may be planes flying six of us passed the civil service exam, one and I did well on the exam and I got a job in over, don’t you dare point a stick towards became a teacher, and one became a nurse.” the securities department as a clerk, working them or anything that would look like a gun. Sister Rosaria’s tutoring paid off: Margaret in the Berkeley building. I had never been in At home, my father would get the newspa- was one of six girls in her class to pass the civil an elevator before and I was never that high pers and read them aloud to us, so we kept service test, and at age 17, she was offered a up before, either. But I had a job to do – at up with how things were going in the war. job working at a post office in Mayo; later she $40 a week. “I remember, too, in the mountains we had was transferred to an office in Carlow “It seemed like a lot to me coming from what we called whorts – small bushes with “There were jobs for one female and for five Ireland, but basically it wasn’t. Because I was berries. We would go up in the hills and pick boys. We were post office clerks. We trained living with my cousins, I didn’t have to worry those berries and bring them down to the on the telephone; in those days the post of- about how much money I had because they little store and they shipped them over to fice had the telephone. It had the old crank were good to me. Basically they drove in [to England for the soldiers. We used to snare phone and you had to be careful because if you Boston] and took me with them. The job was bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 19 easy to learn because it was numbers and I had A Stapleton Family Album worked with numbers in the post office. We had to do numbers in school and we trained at the post office with numbers so I knew numbers. Numbers were no problem to me.” Margaret took to her new work with gusto, and, she says today, the work helped her to quickly learn about her new country: “I learned the geography of this country by the municipal bonds, the tax-exempt bonds that they had. In those early days you could get a promotion if it was a woman’s job –the lesser jobs, as a clerk (not as a supervisor.) “I remember a young man came in and I trained him and the manager came down to me and said there’s a supervisor’s job open and he’s going to get the job. Because, the manager said, ‘he’s a young man and he’s going to get married. I know that you can do it but he’s going to get your job.’ ” What did she think of that? Did her Irish come out when she heard those words? “Yes, yes it did – but what can you do about it? “ She later applied for other positions, and eventually won a job in the research department, where she would hone her skills with numbers by doing statistical analysis of public utilities. “Then, in July 1964 do you know what happened? Lyndon Johnson signed the Equal Employment Opportunity Act.” The new law opened doors for her and other women in the company. “There were a couple of women ahead of me, also sidelined for promotions. Women then had the opportunity to be equal and from there I did work hard and I had some wonderful people – male and female – who were really willing to help me. I tried to focus on the job and we became a team and that’s what it was.”

Enter Rev. James Woods, SJ After work hours, Margaret enrolled in the evening program at Boston College, headed by a Jesuit priest who would become a guiding force in her life, Rev. James Woods SJ, her longtime friend and mentor. After earning a degree at BC in economics, she enrolled in the night school at Babson College, where she earned her MBA. In the mid-1970s, Margaret advanced to a role as team leader, and later she became the first Irish-born woman at John Hancock to Clockwise from top, Margaret with her half-brother John and her younger brother James; her grandmother, join the ranks of senior management when Mary Lyons, and her grand-uncle, William Duggan; her grandmother, Margaret Stapleton; Margaret at work at John Hancock; Margaret and James; James and her older brother William. she was appointed a vice president and senior ing a shelter for women adjacent to the main investment officer, a role she held until her said Downie. facility in the South End. retirement after 46 years at Hancock. Margaret has remained a constant sup- “Lyndia Downie [Pine Street Inn president] “At St. Mary’s church in Scituate, there were porter, volunteering weekly for the women: is a marvelous person, and she wanted to see three groups that used to go up to the Pine “I’m not doing heavy lifting. They have a if they could house people and give them a Street Inn for volunteer work. One of them lottery system for the beds and I hand out new start, then work with them on programs would actually bring meals and the other the lottery numbers and I tell him that this to help them improve themselves. There was two would serve meals there. I joined one of is your lucky number and they laugh.” And a three-story building next to the Inn on Har- those groups. We donated money and they she adds, she has made many friends with rison Avenue, and they were building a lot would buy the food for them. the residents. of condominiums across the street. I said to “In Ireland, we had had what they called- Margaret Stapleton then reflected on her myself, ‘One day you know they’re going to with that politically incorrect term ‘the Tin- upbringing in Ireland, and the example that take this building as a condominium.’ I went kers.’ Now they’re called the Travelers, and her family set for her. “We are standing on the to Lyndia and I handed her a check as seed they would come and my mother always shoulders of people who were deprived, on money for that house.” felt that we have to share (with them). She the shoulders of people who had nothing,” Pine Street converted the building into an would give them potatoes, eggs, bacon and she said. “My grandmother worked the farm 11-room home for homeless who have been whatever other vegetables. The group would all her life. Going up the hill with the sheep on the street for 10 years or more. When the be the same each time and they would always and all, that’s hard work. No matter what facility opened in 2007, it was dedicated as come back and they would know us and ask your circumstances are, to prove yourself all the Stapleton House, in Margaret’s honor. how the family was. It was almost like a com- you have to do is make up your mind that At the opening, Downie told the Boston munity. Being Catholic, (we were taught to you’re going to do the work and be honest and Globe that Margaret’s generous contribution be) willing to share with people who don’t faithful. And also think about all the people helped the Pine Street generate many more have anything. It was part of giving. Pine around you that may not be as successful as donations, and, she added, the facility would Street was a wonderful place to share, so I you are and help them. not have been possible without her. “These got involved in that.” “To me, that is what our history is, and that’s are people who slept on the street, and now Margaret joined Pine Street’s board, and what we should be all about.” they have their own beds. Margaret helped after her retirement in 2001, she became a create a home, in the best sense of the word,” regular volunteer, and a champion for build- Page 20 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com The Boston Irish Honors 2015 for Excellence in Business and Philanthropy The Globe’s Mike Sheehan has proven a stand-up guy and a standout success

By Peter F. Stevens Wherever he has worked, Mike Sheehan has made a mark. Optimism and ad and business savvy are his trademarks, and to his new post, the CEO of the Boston Globe, he brings something else: a deep knowledge of the journalistic side of the business. Before he brought his skills to advertising at such prestigious outfits as Clarke Goward (Boston), Leo Burnett (Chicago), and Hill Holliday (Boston) and helped promote such high-stakes clients as Lotus Notes, Fidelity Investments, McDonald’s, and Dunkin’ Donuts, he thought his career path would wind its way to journalism – specifically newspapers. Sheehan was raised in Weymouth and proudly calls himself “a regular Weymouth guy.” He grew up with and played CYO basketball with Brian McGrory, now the Globe’s editor-in-chief, and the two remain close friends and colleagues. At the age of 15, Sheehan became a local sports reporter for the Weymouth News. After his graduation from Thayer Academy, he was accepted at the US Naval Academy, but decided after a semester to attend Northeastern. Michael Sheehan and his father, Frederick Joseph Sheehan, of whom the son said in a funeral service eulogy: Then, he went up to St. Anselm College, in “Dad wasn’t a great father, he was a perfect father. Without flinching, he would have sacrificed anything Manchester, New Hampshire, with a friend for any of his children. He gave Fred, Kathleen, Mary Claire, and me everything we ever needed to be suc- who was visiting the school, and decided “on cessful in life. We didn’t go to Disneyworld – we went to private school. He sacrificed to give us the best a whim” to fill out an application himself. He education, the best guidance, all the help we could ever need, and then he set us free to do whatever we was admitted and ended up graduating from wanted with it. He didn’t care if any of us – or all of us – followed in his footsteps. He just wanted us to work hard, take care of our families, and be happy doing whatever we chose to do.” Sheehan family photo the Catholic institution. During his years at St. nections, his time, and his creative business that way, at parties, dance halls, and parish Anselm’s, Sheehan worked on the weekends talents to help a wide array of charitable socials. My dad was born in 1924.” at the Boston Globe’s library, where he learned causes and fundraising efforts. Sheehan looks back on his young years as firsthand how a large newspaper works. In the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Mara- something out of a dream. “It was kind of Following his graduation, he took a night thon bombings, he stepped into the vanguard idyllic in its way. It was a good time to be a job as a reporter with Quincy’s Patriot Ledger of the community and business leaders who kid. We were always playing whatever sport and worked days at a South Shore ad agency. were determined to help the victims and was in season, and while there were leagues, It was at the latter that he found his calling. their families. He was instrumental in the kids then organized our own games. It seems He liked the optimistic energy of the business, founding of The One Fund Boston to do just like every waking moment outside home and which, to him, was in contrast to the innate that, enlisting and joining with his team at school was spent playing sports. It was great. cynicism of so many men and women in Hill Holliday to create the fund’s website, Like so many families then, we traveled just journalism. He also loved the sheer creativity logo, and message. The result? The effort about anywhere you could go by car. We had that drove the ad industry with its inherent raised millions and played an integral part a camper, and our family vacations revolved demand for effective writing. in the still-evolving process of healing while around it.” In Boston, Sheehan accomplished some- never forgetting. As to his schooling? “The Academy Ave thing that many business insiders viewed as Among the many corporate and nonprofit School in Weymouth, and then it was on to somewhere between improbable and impos- boards of which he is a member are Catho- Thayer. My parents were committed to our sible. He succeeded legendary Hill Holliday lic Charities, American Repertory Theatre getting the best private school education pos- co-founder and CEO Jack Connors and made (A.R.T.,) Thayer Academy, and the Raptor sible, and much of the family finances went to his own mark in a big way, ushering the Accelerator, a Boston company set up to aid that end. They wanted all of us – my brother company through dizzying technological promising new companies. Fred and my sisters Kathleen and Mary Claire advances – he crafted winning uses of Face- Sheehan and his wife, Maureen, are kept – to receive the kind of education that could book, Twitter, and smartphones for ad cam- busy raising their young children, Catherine give us an edge later in life.” paigns – and guiding it through the grim ad and Michael. Recently, he spoke with the It was in Weymouth that Sheehan came landscape of the worst economic downturn BIR about his career, his years growing up to know the young Brian McGrory, now since the Great Depression. He points out in Weymouth, his new work at the Globe, his partner as the editorial chieftain at the that when the nation’s other top ad agencies and the meaning for him of the Boston Irish Globe. “We go back a long way. He’s a great were laying people off during the financial Honors Award: guy and a great friend. I truly believe that it downturn, Hill Holiday kept its staff intact. was somehow Brian’s destiny to become the Sheehan has long evinced a personal credo A sturdy Irish heritage Boston Globe’s editor-in-chief. I’ve said this that any CEO should be limited to no more “My family comes from Counties Leitrim before about Brian, but in my brief time at the than a ten-year tenure. With him at the helm, and Kerry. The Sheehans are from Kerry, but Naval Academy, they used to describe two Hill Holliday attained record profits, but he it was ancestors from my mom’s side – her sorts of leaders: the ones whose command practiced what he preached, and stepped maiden name was Keaveny –who were the willingly follows them into fire and the ones down to pursue new opportunities. All of that first to come over to America – they came well whose command wants to push them into fire. would lead to a breakfast with John Henry, back. My grandmother came from Glenfarne, Brian’s the one you’d follow into fire. He’s the owner of the Red Sox and the Boston Globe. County Leitrim, in 1899. My grandfather came perfect newsroom and editorial leader for the He had never met Henry, who contacted him from Castleisland, County Kerry around 1921. paper at this important point in its history.” “out of the blue” to persuade him to take on “They met at a July 4th party at Hough’s Where does Sheehan see the Globe at the the role of CEO at the newspaper. Neck. So many of the young immigrants met moment and what does he see as the way for- Sheehan has similarly parlayed his con- bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 21

ward in a media landscape that has shifted so much and so fast, technologically speaking? “I believe strongly in the concept of the self- fulfilling prophesy,” he says. “If one believes that everything is doom and gloom, that’s what things will inevitably be. You have to believe that you can effect change that will transform things. Granted, changing a culture such as the Globe’s or any other major newspaper’s takes a long time. “With the Globe, we have a great opportunity that’s grounded in the past, present, and future,” he added. “The paper is a pillar of the city’s proud past – what I like to call “Olde Boston” – with an “e.” What we’re working hard to do is to seize the opportunity to take that tradition and make it the catalyst of the new Boston. We want to maintain the great journalism that informs readers both in print and online, but we also want the Globe to become an active part of the new Boston taking shape around us every day. Taking on that role offers us almost limitless possibilities both journalistically and business-wise.” Top, Mike Sheehan and his sister, Mary Claire, in Back to roots at the Globe Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim. At right, Mike’s parents, Fred The 142-year-old Globe has taken many and Claire Sheehan. forms in its longtime role as provider of community’s very core. We’re adapting and news to citizens of Boston and the region. For optimistic about the future. I’ve also said it most of its history, it reported national and before, but there is nothing more important international news via wire services and kept to a city than its newspaper except the city’s its staff closely tied to the city where it was government.” established, save for a stretch of almost 50 Sheehan’s takes that optimism and his ad- years, from the mid-1960s to the first decade vertising background to advance another big of the new century, when it turned its focus goal for him and the paper: How to make the more widely, setting up a well-staffed bureau Globe more relevant to advertisers and how in Washington and single-staffed coverage of to convince them that the newspaper is still international cities like London, Jerusalem, the best outlet for them to get their message and Mexico City. And now, the focus is nar- out to the public. row one again, and rightly so, days Sheehan. “One of the things I learned in advertising,” “The paper has to be Boston-centric. The he says, “is that the more creative, the better national and international news has got to the product – the Globe now – the larger the be more through the lens of Boston. Our audience you’ll draw. That has huge appeal current newsroom is a leaner but tightly fo- to advertisers willing to pay to reach that cused team. It’s inevitable that we have to audience. The more revenue that comes from cover less ground outside the city, but I really advertisers means more revenue to put into believe that today’s readers buy the Globe the newsroom.” to get information about Boston. No matter While keeping very busy in Boston, Shee- what, the solid and outstanding journalism han often casts his gaze across the sea. “I’ve that the paper provides – has always pro- been over to Ireland at least a dozen times. It vided – remains the core. Brian deserves so is so moving to walk where one’s ancestors much credit for the progress we’re making. walked. When they left, they were hoping for We’re more than holding our own, and it’s a better life in America and, I think, they were and his siblings, Fred, Kathleen, and Mary going to grow. optimistic they would find that, even though Claire, by his parents, Frederick J. (“Fred”) “For me, optimism is the key,” Sheehan says. leaving everything behind was so hard. and Claire Sheehan. “People still ask me what the difference is “My parents and grandparents were so In 2013, Kennedy notes, Fred Sheehan between a newsroom and an ad agency. The proud of their Irish roots, but the roots they passed away at the age of 88, and Mike eulo- basic difference is that journalists are trained put down here in America were just as im- gized his father in a poignant, often humor- to be cynical. Think of the best reporters going, portant. My father won a Bronze Star and ous remembrance that emphasized how that and they’re probably cynical. They have to a Purple Heart as a staff sergeant in France sense of place, so important to father and son, be. I learned early on that for me, advertising during World War II. And he was in the FBI included both the family’s ancestral home and was a better fit. To succeed there, you have for a while. His family was so proud of him, the new country that became, and remains, to be optimistic. If you don’t believe in the so proud that he and they were so completely their home. pitch and campaign you’re making, no one vested in America and the opportunities that “Everyone at Fred’s service still remembers else will either. their hard work and sacrifice earned them. My Mike’s eulogy,” Kennedy said. “When he “What I’m working with everyone in both grandmother was so Irish that she watched was describing the family’s Irish roots, he the news and business ends of the Globe is and followed the Celtics religiously – the had everyone laughing with the Irish accents to infuse the optimism into the cynicism. I’m team’s name did it for her.” he used. His words just showed how much confident that we’re on our way to achieving love he had for his father, who always placed that and ensuring that the Globe remains the The model of an immigrant story his country and his family first. must-read for anyone in or around Boston. In many ways, says Sheehan, his family’s “As I’ve worked on my introduction for “I do believe,” he added, “that the pessi- is “the classic immigrant story.” Mike at the Irish Honors event, I’ve been try- mism that was at the Globe for the past five Presenting the Boston Irish Honors honoree ing to come up with some witty comparison years or so has evaporated, and that’s exactly will be William F. Kennedy, a prominent of Mike to “Mad Men’s” Don Draper. It’s what I want to keep going. The paper is so Boston attorney and a partner at Nutter Mc- hard, though, because Mike is really such a important to the city and the whole region. Clennen & Fish LLP. Kennedy knows Mike great guy, he’s someone who gives so much Maybe it’s because I remember the days when Sheehan as a friend, a family man, and as back, who does so much good stuff for people the Globe and other newspapers were such someone who translates his business success and causes. His immediate leadership in the a fixture on everyone’s doorstep, everyone and acumen into community service. Ken- One Fund came as no surprise to anyone who on the subway, and everywhere around here nedy also notes how deeply that sense of knows him. That’s Mike.” you went that [I see] the paper as part of the family and community were imbued in Mike Page 22 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com The Boston Irish Honors 2015 Distinguished Public Service

Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans (far left) is shown with his brothers (from left) John, Paul, Thomas and James at the baseball field in South Boston that is named for their brother Joseph who was struck and killed by a car in 1968 when he was age 11. Bill Brett photo The Evans boys: All for one, one for all By Jack Thomas confidence in America, their and when I visited him, I was own families. November 1967 was a somber loyalty to one another, and their shocked because his legs were as What the brothers want to talk month in American history. adherence to the best of Irish thin as pencils. But he regained about is not themselves, but their Five hundred thousand Ameri- values. Today, the five surviving his strength, and, like his father, father. can troops were in Vietnam, and Evans brothers count among their Tommy became a Boston cop and “People say we had a tough life, Gen. William Westmoreland was achievements the service of three won decorations, only to be killed but no, never,” says Tom. “Sure, insisting that the United States of them who served in combat by a train in 1988 while search- we had crises, but we had great was winning the war in Asia, during the Vietnam War (Paul, ing for some stolen weapons in times just growing up as a family. which Americans would fight James, and John, who won two Brighton. We had no girls, and our father for another seven years, then bronze stars), two who joined the “We used to kid him and say, did a tremendous job bringing abandon. On Nov. 19, a Sunday, Boston Fire Department (Deputy ‘Tell us some war stories, Tommy,’ us up. Every night we sat down while the Jets and Joe Namath Chief James and District Chief because the poor bastard was in to a full dinner, more food than were at Fenway Park, beating the John), and two who became Vietnam only a few days.” you could eat, and every morning Patriots, 29-24, in Vietnam, in the police commissioners of Boston Next month, once again, as they he was up to make us breakfast, Central Highlands, the battle for (Paul, 1994-2003, and, currently, have done every November for 27 pancakes, eggs, sausage.” Hill 875 began, a four-day siege William). All five brothers scoff years, the four surviving mem- The family flat on the middle with American casualty rates of at the notion of living anywhere bers of that clique who joined the floor was small – kitchen, parlor, 60 percent. On the same day, 9,000 but South Boston. Marine Corps together will gather two back bedrooms, and a small miles away, in South Boston, six at the Morton’s on Boston’s wa- room in front not much bigger teenagers agreed to enlist together Six boys, six Marines terfront, and they will request a than a closet. “I don’t remem- in the Marine Corps, and soon The loyalty that runs deep in table for six, the two empty chairs ber having a certain bedroom,” they were off to South Carolina, their neighborhood is reflected memorializing their lost buddies. recalls Tom. “It was first come, to boot camp at Parris Island, and in what happened to the six boys “We’ve done this every year first serve.” then to Vietnam. who collaborated that day to en- since Tommy was killed,” said Single fathers have a significant One of the six was Paul Evans, list together in the Marine Corps. Paul. “We drink a toast to all of challenge, especially when there eldest son and nominal head of One of them, Johnny Cole, came us, but especially to Tommy and are six sons, and by the testimony the Evans clan of South Boston, home in a coffin. Another, Paul Johnny. We tell the same stories of his boys, Paul Evans Sr. rose to recipients this year of Boston Irish Evans, was slogging through the every year, and the waiter will the challenge with devotion and Honors 2015. A family of five sons jungles near Khe Sanh when he come over and say, ‘Are there two discipline. Whatever the tale, and ranging from 66 to 56, they are learned that a hit-and-run-driver others?’ And we’ll say, ‘They’re no matter who is telling it, recol- acquainted with grief. In 1962, had killed his little brother. A here, don’t worry about ‘em’ ” lections about life in the cramped when they were aged 13 to 3, their third, Tommy Gill, was shot in three-decker revert to their father, mother died of ovarian cancer. the back by a sniper a few days Growing up on East Sixth Street who was hard-working, auto- In 1968, when they were aged 19 after his arrival in Vietnam, and On a brisk autumn afternoon, cratic, given to pranks, protective to 9, a hit-and-run driver killed was airlifted to Japan with col- the sun is shining off Dorches- of his sons, and determined to 11-year-old Joey, a Little League lapsed lungs. ter Bay and into the venerable give them a normative boyhood. All Star. In 1974, when they were “Doctors told his mother and Puritan Canoe Club, founded in “All of us went to Gate of aged 25 to 15, their father died father by telephone, ‘Don’t bother 1888, and around a long table, Heaven School, and in those days, unexpectedly of a heart attack coming to Japan. He’ll be dead three of the Evans brothers are we’d come home for lunch,” says at age 53. before you get here,’ Paul re- reminiscing about their boyhood Tom. “So, my father would leave The Evans family survived calls. “Well, they underestimated at the family home on 529 East his job at the Boston Herald, and those heartaches by drawing Tommy Gill. Later, when my Sixth, a three-decker that has been he’d probably get fired for this on familiar resources, their faith little brother was killed, I came converted to a two-family house today, but he’d come home and in Gate of Heaven Parish, their home to Southie on emergency where two of the brothers, John prepare our lunch and have it on neighbors in South Boston, their leave. Tommy was recuperating, and James, now live with their the table every day at 11:30 – soup, bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 23

sandwiches, tuna fish, and then we’d have to be back to school by 12:15. For supper, he’d cook so much food that it was ‘take off your shirt and unbuckle your belt,’ because you couldn’t get any more food on your plate.” From his job as forklift opera- tor at the Boston Herald Traveler, their father slipped away frequently for the meaningful mo- ments in the lives of his sons. With six of them playing baseball, basketball, and football, there was always a ball game to attend. “If one of the older brothers was playing on one field, then my father would go and stay at that game for a while,” recalls James. “And then, he’d leave to go to another field where another one of his sons was playing, and then to a third field, from Columbus Park, to M Street Park, to the Babe Ruth League Park, and then back again to Columbus Park.” The boyhood years at the Evans house: Left to right, youngest to oldest: William, When John became captain of Joseph, Thomas, James, John, and Paul. Right, Joseph, the Little League all star who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in 1968 at age 11. Evans family photos the South Boston High School baseball team, his father would a deep love. Tom, plucking from his endless write letters to the nuns at Gate “Here’s an example,” says Tom: file of anecdotes. “Now, my father of Heaven School, asking that “In those days, the style for guys made us lunch for school every John’s brothers be granted early was hair to the shoulder, and one day, and one day, at breakfast, he dismissal in order to watch him day, my brother John sat down to gave me my lunch and he also play. breakfast, and he was half asleep gave me five bucks. ‘What’s this The father knew how to punc- when my father grabbed him by for?’ I asked, and he said it was in ture their pomposity, too, and the hair at the side of his head case I wanted something at school. when Paul introduces a story and lifted him off the chair and he So, okay, all morning, I’m feeling about the day John hit three home said what he said so often: ‘This pretty good. I got my lunch. I got runs in one game, his brothers is what I don’t like. I’ll give you five bucks in my pocket, and then, burst into laughter. “They weren’t until this afternoon to get it cut.’ when it’s time for lunch, I sit down in the war.” just home runs,” says James. “Now, my brother had a short in the cafeteria with my buddies, They also inherited a fervid “John hit every one of them out fuse, but he wouldn’t say a word and as we open our lunches, ev- patriotism, which explains why of the ballpark, except that on his back to my father. Nobody had erybody says, ‘what do you have, three of them served in the armed fourth time at bat, he struck out. the courage, ever, to speak up to and what do you have?’ When I forces during the Vietnam War, When he arrived home late that my father, nobody that I knew of. open mine, what do I have but a and it’s dramatized when they afternoon, my father greeted him So, even though all my brother’s raw [expletive] potato, not even overlap one another in telling by calling him the K-O kid,” -- a friends had hair to their shoulders, cooked, right out of the bag, and what they agree is the classic story reference to the symbol in baseball John went to the barber shop and although I could buy a lunch with about their father. that scorekeepers use to indicate got it all cut off, and when he came the five bucks, my friends were “He was a Navy veteran of a strikeout. home with his ‘boy’s regular hair- laughing like hell at me.” World War II,” says Paul, “and cut,’ pouting like hell, my father The boys had their way of get- after school one day, when we Life, and love, with their father looked at him and said, ‘Boy, you ting even, though, just by being were about to sit down to dinner, As the anecdotes and laugh- look foolish.’ And we all laughed.” boys. “He’d go to work on Satur- he insisted we eat in front of the ter ripple from the memories of The home with seven males day morning,” recalls Tom, “and TV. So there we were, watching the Evans boys, life at the their sounds like a frat house, and in a we’d head for his bedroom and, the six o’clock news, and all of a three-decker sounds like a blend manner of speaking, it was. using rolled up socks as a ball, sudden, on comes a story about of “Boys Town” and “National “Dad loved hitting people with we’d run the bases, on and around draft dodgers burning draft cards Lampoon’s Animal House.” a wet dish towel,” recalls Paul, his bed, turning the bedroom into at South Boston District Court, “We grew up next to a home with “and he knew how to push but- mayhem.” and as the camera pans the scene, three girls, and what they must tons, although with some of us, he my father yells, ‘There I am.’ And have seen,” says Tom, “because couldn’t push our button because Always, a fraternal competition sure enough, there he was. As one we never pulled a curtain, never we knew him and we expected In addition to their acidic guy lights a match to burn his draft closed the bathroom door.” the ribbing.” tongues, senses of humor, and card, from out of the crowd my The father kept the boys on edge. His favorite target was “Mouse,” loyalties to one another, the Evans father sucker-punches him. “What When report cards from Gate of the nickname he gave his young- boys also inherited from their a shot,’ my father said proudly. ‘It Heaven were ready for distribu- est son, William, and even though father a competitive streak so caused a riot.’ The Boston papers tion, nuns required a parent to William has been Boston’s police strong they contest everything, were on strike, but it was played come to the school after the eight commissioner since 2013, and even down to who makes the best up in a New Hampshire paper,” o’clock children’s Mass, and it was even though he was acclaimed meatballs. says Paul, “and I still have the a day the Evans boys dreaded. nationally for his role in the inves- “Our father told us that all we clipping.” “On the morning report cards tigation of the Boston Marathon have is each other,” says Tom, It was not until the early Six- were to be handed out, my father bombing, in South Boston, he is “and we’ve stuck by that.” ties that their father invested in a would be getting our breakfast,” still known by many as Mouse. Paul, who was a cop and a Ma- Chevy station wagon, and for the says Tom, “and to remind us of “My father loved red peppers,” rine, shakes his head. “Except in family’s entertainment, he’d pack what we faced, he’d walk around he says, “you know, the ones with one aspect,” he says, wryly. “We a lunch and then pack the car with and say, ‘Hello, Sister,’ and ‘Yes, the hot seeds in them,” recalls have a lot of give and take about kids and head to Nantasket Beach Sister,’ ‘Thank you very much, Paul, “and when Mouse wasn’t the police department versus the and Paragon Park, or perhaps to Sister.’ ” looking, my father would mix fire department, and the Army Salisbury Beach. “If their father, by today’s stan- those into Mouse’s mashed pota- versus the Marine Corps. My “Not so much my older brothers, dards, seems to have been tyran- toes, so the next bite would make brother John, who was in the but with me and my two younger nical, his sons remember him with him gag.” Army, tells me the Marines think brothers,” says Tom, “on a Sunday affection, respect, gratitude, and “Here’s another example,” says they’re the only ones who fought my father would go up the street Page 24 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com The Evans boys: All for one, one for all and buy two large sub sandwiches, five bags If there’s a Martha Stewart in the family, of chips, and all the tonic you could drink, it’s John. and he’d take us to Fenway Park to watch “He’s a hell of a cook,” says James. “He’s the Red Sox. In those days, you could watch been cooking for us since he was 12 years old. a double-header, starting at one o’clock, and He inherited it from my father.” Continues you’d be good till seven. When he dropped us Tom: “He’s the type of guy that for 25 years off, there’d be a lamppost on the corner, and now, I can call him and say, ‘John, I’m put- he’d say, ‘See this lamppost. When the games ting a 20-pound turkey in the oven. What are over, you come back to this lamppost, and temperature, and how long? His best dish? do not move from there until I come back to My father’s meatballs. I’ll be honest with get you.” you, they’re phenomenal, but don’t tell him The brothers don’t talk about one another I said that. Don’t encourage him. Tell him my for very long before the competitive streak meatballs are better.” appears. As a result of his role in the aftermath At every family outing, says James, John’s of the Boston Marathon bombing, William ap- got to bring his meatballs. “We tell him, peared in Runners Magazine and then, after ‘don’t bother. We’ve got plenty of food,’ but he appeared in GQ, he said to Paul’s wife, he always shows up with meatballs.” Karen, “Was Paul ever in GQ?” Be careful, warns Paul. “He’s liable to show up at the Irish lunch at the Boston Seaport Commissioner’s just one of the boys Hotel with a bowl of his meatballs. He’s more In the eyes of his family, being police com- proud of the meatballs than he is of his combat missioner does not give William immunity medals from Vietnam.” from family barbs, and his absence from the interview at the Canoe Club leaves him ad- Keeping in touch is a priority ditionally vulnerable. Paul and Catherine Evans on their wedding day. The brothers get together regularly, often “Have you seen his picture in full uniform?” The mother of six boys aged 3 to 13, Catherine suc- on Friday nights, at the Shamrock Pub, at H asks Paul. “How does he look in that hat? It’s cumbed to cancer at age 37. Paul died at aged 53 in and Eighth Streets, where their father drank. 1974, leaving behind five boy aged 15 to 25. oversized, right? He looks like somebody who Evans family photo Later, after the interview in the Puritan Ca- stole his father’s uniform.” noe club, Paul calls to say they should have The comical caricature is then followed, as spoken more about their mother, Catherine, always, by praise. “When Paul was commis- who died when he was 13. sioner, he always took care of Mouse” says “Her family came from Ireland, from Sligo Tom. “I mean, he had a lot of influence on and Cork,” he says, “and she adored her sons. him, but Mouse earned his own way.” Someone saw her one day with her six boys Here’s an example of Mouse’s dedication, and said, ‘don’t you wish you had a daughter, says Paul. and my mother said, ‘No, I love my sons.’ “When Mouse was a teenager, he was play- “She was a spitfire, too. My father got his ing softball at M Street Park and someone marching orders from her, and I’m sure she slid into first base and tore up Mouse’s knee admonished him to take care of us. It was my so bad they had to operate on it. When he father who went to the games, but it was my decided to go on the police department, I told mother who taught every one of us how to him he’d better do something to strengthen Commissioner pairing: William and Paul in uniform throw a football and how to catch a baseball his knee, because there’d be physical exams. in earlier times. Evans family photo and how to hit a baseball, too, except for my Well, Mouse is like Forrest Gump, because brother James, who still can’t hit a beach ball.” he’s been strengthening his knees ever since. and James topped the exam for deputy chief “After my mother died, it was my father He’s up every morning at 4:30, and he runs of the fire department. who kept us together,” says Paul. “He’d prob- eight miles or so. He’s run in more than 50 The family anomaly is Tom, who declined ably kill us for talking to you the way we are, marathons, and he’s run Boston more than to follow his brothers into the military or into because it was a rule of thumb – whatever 20 times, sometimes under three hours. He the fire or police departments, and instead en- went on in our house stayed in our house.” looks small, but there isn’t an ounce of fat on joyed a successful career at Boston Edison Co. What would Paul Sr. say today about his him, and if he were here, he could drop down “My brothers did well,” says Tom. “James family? and give you 100 pushups and 200 sit-ups. went as far as he could in the fire department as “I don’t think he’d say anything publicly,” “I was his brother, and I was obviously up deputy chief, and John was district chief, and said Tom, “and he wouldn’t be too happy in the ranks in the department, but he made I was kind of like the screw-up. When people that we’re talking to you. He always told us sergeant because he topped the list. As part of realize what my brothers had done, people that we should look out for one another, and my job, I’m promoting my brother, so there’s would say to me, ‘Jesus, what happened to I think if he could see us today, it’s not the an ethical question, and I remember praying, you?’ And this question would come from titles and the successes that would make him please, let him do well in the exam,” said Paul, some bum whose job was cleaning streets, proud, but it’s the fact that we’re still together. putting his hands together prayerfully, and and here I was working for the Edison and That meant more to him than any honor or lifting his eyes to heaven. “Well, he made life getting pretty good dough.” achievement. If my father could see us all easy for me, because every exam he took, he After castigating their brother John in lan- together now, what would make him proud topped the list.” guage that does not lend itself to recitation in is that we’re still doing what he taught us to Topping the list runs in the family. Paul, a newspaper, the brothers then heap praise do. We’re still taking care of one another.” too, topped exams in the police department, upon him. The Boston Irish Reporter gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors:

Emerald sponsors of the sixth annual Boston Irish Honors luncheon include: Bank of America Feeney Brothers MassPort Bank of Canton Geraghty Properties Inc. Quinnipiac University Boston Global Investors Inc. John Hancock The Boston Globe Corcoran Jennison Companies Lexington Insurance UMass Boston bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 25 For Low Lily, nee Annalivia, there’s a rebirth in the making (Continued from page 13) Cohen and Simmons “”We knew we wanted music, and based on what by gorgeous harmonies supernatural qualities popular music – that have welcomed not only a someone who not only was I’d already heard, I knew from Cohen and Simmons heightened by Cohen’s been part of our musical friend and kindred spirit, an excellent musician but it would be fun to experi- – a Low Lily hallmark mandolin picking and development.” but also someone who, could share the lead in ment with arranging the – with a mellow chorus Schneckenburger’s eerie The band’s name, cho- like them, has a family singing,” says Simmons. next generation of songs.” of trombones (played by fiddle backing. The other sen via a contest on so- life as well as a musical “Lissa fit that description, Another attraction for Simmons’ father Fred) tracks are a Cohen instru- cial media, was a way of one. The couple wound and she also is in the same Schneckenburger – also a adding a poignantly warm mental, “Northern Spy,” acknowledging its past up moving from Glouces- domestic situation we are, songwriter and tune com- undertone. that has the character while moving forward. ter to Brattleboro, where where you want to stay poser – was the prospect of Simmons’ “Adventurer” of a Tim O’Brienesque “‘Annalivia’ was a refer- Schneckenburger lives close to home as much as incorporating more origi- and Cohen’s “All Roads progressive bluegrass ence to Anna Livia Plu- with her husband, string you can.” nal material into the band Lead to You” (which he piece; and a medley of the rabelle, from Finnegan’s bass player Corey DiMa- Schneckenburger didn’t repertoire. “My last solo co-wrote with Aram Sin- old-timey reel “Cherokee Wake, which besides be- rio (a former member of need a lot of coaxing to join record was all pop/rock nreich) are something of a Shuffle” with another Co- ing the name of a female Crooked Still), and their the band. “Since I have covers, and I found that set-piece – they follow one hen tune, “Lucky.” character was supposed son. This made working known Liz and Flynn for all the up-close work with another on the track list If one sets one’s mind to be an embodiment of together easier and had so many years, part of the other people’s gorgeous – in that both have to do to it, he or she can still the River Liffey,” says the additional benefit of attraction was that they material really made me with traveling, but where probably detect a hint Simmons. “A low lily is a putting them in a more were a known quantity of think more deeply about distance is measured in of the genealogical line type of flower that grows central geographical lo- personalities. I knew that writing songs myself. I something other than extending from Ireland in New England, so we’re cation, notes Cohen, who I liked them, and we’d get used that recording as miles. Simmons credits and the British Isles keeping that feminine still makes frequent for- along on the road, which a bit of a study in how her son’s interest in ad- through Low Lily’s music personification in a con- ays into Greater Boston is a big part of being in a my favorite songs were venture/fantasy stories for – if not a traditional song text that’s closer to home.” and elsewhere in Mas- band together. But I was crafted, and what I like inspiring her composition, like “House Carpenter,” In Schneckenburger, sachusetts. also already a fan of their about them. That set in which a journey leads maybe a word, a phrase, me up perfectly to focus back to the starting point, a theme, an instrumental more intently on my own with enlightenment and passage that hints of links songwriting in the follow- wisdom as homecoming from across the ocean. All A busy November schedule ing years.” gifts. Cohen’s “All Roads” well and good, but from The Low Lily CD/EP, is more about traveling the band’s perspective, it’s say the band members, as metaphor for growing probably not something in for Irish/Celtic music events represents a continuation older: As he puts it, the which to get too caught up. (Continued from page 13) help families find housing vard Square on Nov. 4. along the route estab- song came about during “A fresh start allows and stability, and all the O’Brien has frequently Hankus Netsky and his lished by Annalivia’s 2012 a visit with Sinnreich and you to say, ‘OK, what do while treating people with collaborated with Irish/ ensemble; folk and Celtic album, “The Same Way their families – “Our kids we want to sound like?’” respect and dignity. Celtic bands such as vocalist/guitarist Mary Down,” which included and wives were hanging Simmons says. “For us “This concert will be a The Chieftains, Cherish Casey, who has performed the traditional ballads out, and we sat off in the now, there’s not as much great way to come together the Ladies, and Grada, extensively in Boston and “False Sir John” (which corner and wrote some- of a connection to the Irish as a community, and all among others. Opening for across New England; and at one point was the most- thing grown-up.” or other Celtic traditions the proceeds will go to O’Brien will be Old Man the Contemporary Improv played track on folk music As with “The Girl’s Not as before. They certainly SHC. If people are unable Luedecke, a Nova Scotian Ensemble from New Eng- radio, Cohen notes) as well Mine,” “Adventurer” and influence the way we play, to make it, we’re hoping singer-songwriter whose land Conservatory. as tune sets and songs “All Roads” have unmis- but the material we choose they can do something in songs mix folk, bluegrass “Last year was phe- from, or at least partly takable pop music hooks is more the style of home- the spirit of the occasion: and pop. For tickets and nomenal: We had people inspired by, tradition. and riffs peeking out grown and American, with Maybe instead of having other details, see passim. like Matt and Shannon Schneckenburger’s “The from amidst the acoustic some traditional but also an office holiday party this org. Heaton, Robbie O’Connell, Girl’s Not Mine” is one of guitars, mandolin, fiddle a very contemporary vibe. year, or to honor some- *** Aoife Clancy, Tommy Mc- three original songs on the and string bass (the lat- It’s folk/acoustic for the body’s memory, they’ll The Gaelic Roots se- Carthy and Louise Costel- new CD. She describes it ter played by DiMario). modern age.” consider making a dona- ries at Boston College lo, Ry Cavanaugh, Cat and as a reimagining of Rick Yet these fit comfortably For tickets and other tion.“ will host a concert of tradi- the Moon, and Danielle Springfield’s hit “Jessie’s alongside the CD’s lone information on Low Lily’s For information on the tional Irish music on Nov. Miraglia and Tom Bi- Girl,” written in her own traditional song, “House Nov. 11 concert at Club Burren Backroom series, 12 with Paddy O’Brien anchi – quite the mix of voice; but here, the theme Carpenter,” an American Passim, see passim.org. see burren.com/Back- and Nathan Gourley. sounds,” says Backroom of yearning for what you variant of the British room-Series.html. O’Brien, a highly regarded series co-coordinator and can’t have plays out in Isles ballad “The Demon *** master of the Irish button host Brian O’Donovan. gentler tones, suffused Lover” that here has its Dublin-born Declan accordion, is known for his “We actually had to turn O’Rourke, who has en- vast repertoire of tunes, down other musicians who tered the growing circle many of which he has really wanted to play. And of Irish singer-songwrit- shared through a series the tickets sold out very ers that includes Paddy of recordings. Gourley quickly. This is something Casey, Gemma Hayes (fiddle, guitar), a former people want to be part of.” and Damian Rice, will Minnesota resident who *** play on Nov. 3 in The has been living in Boston An additional attraction Red Room at Café 939, for almost three years, has for the event is a raffle, Berklee College of Mu- played with O’Brien as with the top prize a night sic. O’Rourke appeared part of the trio Chulrua. at the Boston Harbor on the “Transatlantic The concert will take place Hotel, with breakfast; Sessions” series with at 6:30 p.m. in the Theol- other prizes are being con- such luminaries as Alison ogy and Ministry Library. firmed. O’Donovan’s wife Krauss, Jerry Douglas, See bc.edu/gaelicroots. Lindsay, a co-organizer for and Amos Lee, and his *** the benefit, says the event debut single, “Galileo The fiddle ensemble offers more than enter- (Someone Like You),” has Childsplay returns to tainment. “At that time of been covered by numerous the stage after a hiatus, the year, early December, artists, among them Eddi with a tour from Nov. with the holiday season Reader and Josh Groban. 17 to Nov. 20 that will approaching, a lot of us Also performing that include a stop in the are thinking about home – evening will Boston-area Boston area. The group whether it’s where we live native Molly Pinto Ma- comprises two dozen or now or where we grew up. digan, whose songwriting so musicians, singers So being together at this draws on many folk and and dancers – many from concert is an opportunity traditional themes and Boston or elsewhere in for us to really consider styles. See berklee.edu/ New England – perform- just what ‘home’ means, red-room-cafe-939. ing fiddle music mainly especially if someone *** from Irish, Scottish, Cape doesn’t have one.” One of the most leg- Breton, Scandinavian, Losing one’s home is not endary Irish folk revival French Canadian, and as far-fetched a scenario bands, the Irish Rovers, American folk traditions, as it may seem, she adds, will play at the Chevalier and using violins created referring to a talk at last Theater in Medford on by Cambridge resident year’s benefit given by Nov. 29. Since forming Bob Childs, who also Somerville Homeless Co- in Canada more than 50 plays in the ensemble alition Executive Director years ago, the group has and serves as its artistic Mark Alston-Follansbee. produced more than 40 director. This year, Irish “Mark pointed out how so albums and a multitude singer Karan Casey many people live from pay- of songs that became clas- will be performing with check to check these days. sics, such as “Black Velvet Childsplay, whose regu- Serving breakfast, lunch Just imagine if something Band,” “The Unicorn” and lars have included Laurel were to happen like your “Whiskey on a Sunday.” Martin, Hanneke Cassel, car breaking down, which The North American tour Steve Hickman, Sheila & dinner every day of the week means that it’s harder for that includes the Cheva- Falls, Mary Lea, Mark you to get to work; because lier Theater performance Simos, Lissa Schneck- Kitchen open nightly of that, maybe you wind is one of the band’s rare enburger, Naomi Morse, up getting fired from international trips. See Dave Langford, Amanda until 10:45 p.m. your job, and you can’t chevaliertheatre.com/ Cavanaugh, Katie Mc- pay the rent, so you and event/the-irish-rovers for Nally, Kathleen Guilday, your family get evicted – more information. Mark Roberts, Shannon and next thing you know, *** Heaton, Keith Murphy, GERARD’S ADAMS CORNER you’re in a shelter because Singer-songwriter Tim Kieran Jordan and Nic 772 - 776 Adams Street there’s nowhere else to O’Brien, whose American Gareiss. go. It’s very fortunate roots style of music is For information on Dorchester, MA 02124 that an organization like full of Irish and Scottish the Childsplay tour, see the Somerville Homeless influences, will perform childsplay.org. 617-282-6370 Coalition is around to at Club Passim in Har- – SEAN SMITH Page 26 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com The Irish Language by Philip Mac AnGhabhann

This month we will start a review of the “irregular” Irish verbs – and the EIRE most commonly used verb is bi, “to be” in a “not permanent” sense. By “not permanent” state we mean something that has a finite end such as “going”. “sitting”, “learning a topic” or a body position. Bí is used for descriptions such pub as “fat” and “thin” since them are viewed subject to change. Is, “to be”, on the other hand is a more permanent state such as a location, a family relationship, or a profession. This is not an unusual arrangement, even shared with other Indo-European languages such as Spanish and French. 795 Adams St. • Dorchester

Here are the forms of bi in the three tenses that we have learned so far – there are more but we will not bother with them for now (if ever). Present Past Future “President’s Choice” Affirmative: Tá Bhí Beidh “is, am” “was, were” “will be” Negative: Níl Ní raibh Ní bheidh Serving Lunch & Dinner “isn’t, aren’t “wasn’t, weren’t” “will not” Interogative: An bhfuíl? An raibh? An mbeidh? “Is?, Are?” “was?, were?” “will?” Every day, Neg. Interog: Nach bhfuíl? Nach raibh? Nach mbeidh? “Isn’t?,aren’t?” “wasn’t?, weren’t?” “won’t?” Subordinating Conjunctions: go and nach. 7 days a week A reminder that bhfuíl is pronounced /weel/ as the f is silent and raibh is / roh/ as the ending –bh is also silent. Bhí is /vee/ while beidh is /behy/, bheidh is /vehy/ and mbeidh is /mehy/, Irish Social Club of Boston, Inc. 119 Park Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132 617-327-7306 or 617-549-9812 Some examples of bí include: Incorporated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, June 27, 1945 Tá Nóra ag a lón. “Nora is at (her) lunch.” An raibh an garda ag an siopa? “Was the policeman at the shop?” SUNDAYS 8-11 pm with $10 admission except where otherwise noted. Nach bhfuíl muid ag caint Gaeilge? “Aren’t we speaking Irish?” Socials every Doors open at 6:30 pm; live music from 8-11 pm. Free Admission Nach mbeidh tú ag caint Gaeilge? “Won’t you be speaking Irish?” Sunday Evening Email us at [email protected] Beidh siad sa stáisiún. “They will be in the station.” at 8:00 pm Cá bhfuíil tú? “Where are you?” SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Níl a fhios agam. “I don’t know.” NOVEMBER 2015 13 Friday the Sean Folan and Tom Clifford’s Bhí mo mháthair bho hÉirinn. “My mother was from Ireland.” 1 Sunday 23rd Annual West Roxbury Friends Ireland On the Move TV Shows of Rosie’s Place Harvest Brunch Annual Fundraiser. In contrast, there are far fewer forms of Is since there is no future tense. and Raffle catered by Roche Bros. Music by Margaret Dalton. $15 10am until noon. Admission only $15. admission. For more information, The present tense can be used with a future meaning but there is no “future For more information, please call the please call Sean Folan at tense” per se. However, there is a difference between colloquial or “spoken” Club at 617-327-7306. 857-719-6979. Irish and the “Official Standard” Irish. Make up you mind which you will 1 Sunday traditions 14 Saturday Pub Night with Ireland the Band. learn – both are presented here. In the exercises below we will mostly use the 5 Thursday 5th Annual West Roxbury Roslindale Free Admission “Official” forms but be prepared to hear and/or use the “spoken” forms. Kiwanis Dinner and Auction. Call Bob 15 Sunday Wild Rovers McNeill for more information at 21 Saturday Mass for Deceased Members and 617-327-3100. 6 pm. Donation $15. Installation of Officers. Music by Present & Future “Official” Spoken Past 6 Friday holy Ghost Fathers Annual Fundraiser. Mossie Coughlin. 7 pm. Affirmative: Is, ’S Ba Ba Doors open at 7 pm. Admission only 22 Sunday Erin’s Melody Negative: Ní Níor + lenition Ní ba $10. Music by the Andy Healy Band. 29 Sunday Fintan Stanley Interogative: An Ar An mba Great raffle prizes and more. For Neg. Interogative: Nach Nár Nach mba information, please call Fr. Peter Nolan DECEMBER 2015 Subordinating Conjuctions, “Official”gur and nar, “Spoken”, go and nach. at 617-947-1057 or Cathy Coppinger at 3 Thursda Members Meeting at 7:30 pm. Please 617-323-2800 bring your membership card. 8 Sunday Here are a few examples of the uses of Is with some of the Past in spoken Andy Healy Band sales at 617-549-9812 Irish and some in “Official” Irish. Follow us on Twitter @irishsocialbos Follow us on Facebook: Irish Social Club of Boston Is mise …. “I’m … (My name is …)” ‘S mise le meas. “I am sincerely …” (sign a letter) Ba dochtúr e. “He was (a) doctor.” Subscribe Today to Boston’s Own Hometown Newspaper Nach mba Yeats scribhneoir? “Wasn’t Yeats a writer?” Ba sé. “Yes” or “He was” Ar Liam múinteoir? “Is Liam (a) teacher?” Boston Irish REPORTER Níor mhúinteoir, sagairt e. “Not (a) teacher, (a) priest.” A Subscription to the Boston Irish Reporter Makes an Ideal Gift for Any Special Occasion. Dúirt sé gur ba Yeats dochtúr e. “He said that Yeats was a doctor”. Why Not Order One Today for Yourself, or for That Special Irish Someone in Your Life?

Translate into Irish. You will have to choose between bi and is and among the Order today, and we will send a gift card in your name. tenses. 1.) “Collins was not a priest.” 2.) “Sincerely” 3.) “It’s a beautiful day.” Enclose $35.00 for each gift subscription. 4.) “Will you be here on Sunday?” 5.) “I’m Mary.” 6.) “Thank you.” 7.) “It’s Name______very cold.” 8.) “Would you like a cup of tea?” 9.) “No. I like black coffee.” 10.) Spoken “Wasn’t she a teacher?” 11) “No. Nora is a nurse.” 12.) “They were Address______eating the bread and the butter,” 13.) “She was sick on Tuesday.” 14.) “He City______State______Zip______says that Yeats was a teacher. 15. ”Weren’t the children in the street?” 16.) “He says that Sean was a doctor, probably.” Gift from______Charge to Visa______Mastercard______Answers: 1.) Níor Collins sagart. 2.) Is mise le meas. 3.) Tá an lá breá. Card #______Exp______4.) An mbeidh tú anseo Dé Domhnaigh? 5.) ’S mise Máiri. 6.) Go raibh maith agat. 7.) Tá sé an-fhuar. 8.) An maith leat cupan tae? 9.) Níl. Is maith leam caife dubh. 10.) (Spoken) Nach mba sí múinteoir? 11.) Ní mba. This year, give a gift that comes in the mail each month! Is Nóra banaltra. 12.) Bhí siad ag ithe an t-arán agus an t-im. 13.) Bhí Mail to: Boston Irish Reporter, 150 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 sí tinn Dé Máirt. 14.) Déir sé go ba Yeats múinteoir. 15.) Nach raibh na We accept phone orders with your Visa or Mastercard. leanaí ar an tsráid? 16.) Déir sé gur ba Seán dochtúr, is dócha. Call 617-436-1222 Or Fax this order form to 617-825-5516

JOHN C. GALLAGHER Insurance Agency Burials in AUTO INSURANCE Specializing in Automobile Insurance for over a half Massachusetts century of reliable service to the Dorchester community. or Ireland New Accounts Welcome 1471 Dorchester Ave. at Fields Corner MBTA Phone: 617-265-8600 “We Get Your Plates” Gormley

AUTO BODY REPAIRS (617) 825-1760 Funeral Home (617) 825-2594 FAX (617) 825-7937 617-323-8600

2055 Centre Street Free Pick-Up & Delivery Service West Roxbury, MA 150 Centre Street Dorchester, MA 02124 www.Gormleyfuneral.com bostonirish.com November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 27 Traveling People Where to stay in Ireland? You can count on hospitality experts

By Judy Enright the original artwork, and Special to the BIR the well-tended environ- Nothing enhances an mentally friendly grounds Irish experience like hav- are just a few of the many ing a wonderful place to other equally appealing stay – and no one knows aspects of this lovely that better than the own- hotel. It is a relaxing and ers of assorted types of inspiring place to stay, accommodation whether and merits the highest hotels or bed and break- praise.” fast homes. We could not agree more Visitors and Irish trav- with every compliment. elers, too, are looking for Even though Gregan’s is comfort but also value, lo- expensive, it’s well worth cation, a warm welcome, a splurge because it’s a and charm. Thankfully, fun, relaxing, and elegant there are still many plac- place to stay with excep- es where you will find all tional food. Simon credits of the above – and more. Frederieke for the interior EXPERTS design of the hallways and There are many travel rooms, which are beauti- and accommodation spe- fully done with original cialists in Ireland who art, classic fabrics, and have been writing about antiques. the hospitality industry And Frederieke’s sense for many years. Sup- of humor shines through ported by research from in the full size papier-mâ- assistant editors, some ché ram proudly standing experts write books and near the windows in one newspaper articles and living room and the wild, others present awards bright green wallpaper to their chosen favorites. with silly running cows It’s generally viewed as a Above: Lovely Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel in Recess, Connemara, was cited in Georgina Campbell’s annual that decks the walls of great honor to be chosen awards as Pet-Friendly Hotel of the year. Below, left: Every year, Irish food writer Georgina Campbell the ladies’ room off the by the likes of John and and her staff of hospitality professionals name award winners in numerous categories. Temple House front hall. Both make you Sally McKenna or Geor- in Ballymote, Co. Sligo, was awarded best Country House Breakfast for 2016. Below, right: Irish food laugh. gina Campbell. writer and guidebook author Georgina Campbell named Gregan’s Castle Hotel in Ballyvaughan, Co. CAFÉ RUA The McKennas, who Clare, as 2016 Hotel of the Year and also for having the best Hotel Breakfast of the Year for 2016. We were happy to see own Estragon Press in Café Rua in Castlebar Durrus, Co. Cork, are – an outstanding eatery among the best known where we’ve dined many authorities. Each year for times – win as “Just Ask” many years, the McKen- Restaurant of the Year nas published a book of for 2016. (“Just Ask!” is their annual “100 Best” a public awareness cam- Irish places to stay, shop, paign to encourage diners and eat. The books were to look for information on always on my “must buy” where food - especially list when I was in Ireland meat - comes from, and because they were such encourages chefs to pro- fun to read. John is not vide the information on short on opinions nor is their menus.) he timid about sharing Rua stands out from the them, so it was always in- crowd for many reasons, teresting to read his take Campbell wrote, “not about the many uses of Hotel of the Year” for travel with your dog - yet manor house rather than least the leadership that on the various aspects many pet owners decide to a castle like Ashford or of Irish tourism and ac- the ocean algae that are so 2016. And aren’t dogs two generations of the common along Ireland’s such great conversation go somewhere else that’s Dromoland. Campbell has McMahon family have commodation. For those more welcoming when chosen Gregan’s as the top familiar with the McKen- many miles of shoreline. starters as well as a shown in seeking out and See guides.ie for more. little reminder of home? deciding where to take a 2016 Hotel of the Year and supporting the very best nas, they were formerly break. But there are some has also given Gregan’s published as Bridges- AWARDS Whether you own a dog of foods from the region. Another well-known or are just a dog lover, really lovely places that do kudos for best hotel break- Other Campbell award tone Guides but are now welcome dogs and, while fast of the year. McKenna’s Guides. They authority on all things it’s hard to resist striking winners for 2016 include: Irish is Georgina Camp- up a conversation with that includes a few pretty Campbell’s award says: James Street South in have an app for Apple high-fallutin’ hotels offer- “As we have great inde- and Android and are also bell, author and present- someone who’s sharing Belfast, Restaurant of the er of Ireland’s longest- the holiday with a best ing doggy welcome packs pendent hoteliers [such Year; Dylan McGrath, of on Facebook. I have not and even pet pampering as Gregan’s owners Si- seen printed versions of running and extremely friend or two. Taste at Rustic in Dublin, prestigious hospitality Over more than a de- while you’re at the spa, mon Haden and his wife, Chef of the Year; Mac- their “100 Best” for the plenty of dog owners re- Frederieke McMurray], past few years, but that awards. Award winners cade of staying at Lough Carthy’s Bar, Castletown- were chosen after anony- Inagh, I have made ally prefer the fuss-free an important aspect of bere, Co. Cork, Pub of the could mean my chosen places that [with a few this country’s unique bookstore just doesn’t mous inspectors visited friends and still stay in Year; Teach Nan Phaidai and paid their own way. touch with a lovely lady necessary restrictions] appeal will be in safe on Inis Mór, Aran Islands, have them. treat your pet pretty much hands.” Campbell said The McKennas recently Several of this year’s top named Orla from Dublin Cafe of the Year. places – Gregan’s Castle and her sweet, small dog like one of the family.” the editors “don’t look Some of the other hopped on the Wild Atlan- Further, says Campbell for perfection and we tic Way bandwagon and Hotel in Ballyvaughan, named Polly, and with a awards include: Taste of Co. Clare, and Lough couple, also from Dub- about Lough Inagh, “A certainly don’t expect to the Waterways Award to published a book high- small owner-managed find it, but occasionally lighting restaurants and Inagh Lodge Hotel in lin, and their handsome Larkin’s, GarryKennedy, Recess, Co. Galway – are large dog, Zeus. And, of Irish hotel is a wonderful something comes pretty Co. Tipperary; Seafood accommodation along thing - add a wild West of darn close … and, if the the route, promoted by among my favorites, too. course, Lough Inagh’s Restaurant of the Year, Both are privately owned owner Maire O’Connor’s Ireland setting and pet- Guide’s recent experience La Cote in Wexford; Wine the Tourist Board, that friendliness to the mix is anything to go by, this stretches along the West and operated by the own- pup, Sophie, is one of my Award of the Year, Stan- ers, who often greet you favorites, too. and it becomes irresistible second-generation family- ley’s in Dublin; Fam- Coast from Donegal to to a surprising number run hotel is certainly one Co. Cork. And Sally re- at the door and make you Campbell writes in her ily Friendly Restaurant, feel so welcome. Lough Inagh award: “In of people. And Maire of them. Stonecutters Kitchen searched and wrote a O’Connor’s lovely, un- “Thoughtfully looking highly acclaimed book, Campbell’s Ireland Ireland we lag way behind in Doolin, Co. Clare; Guide named Lough In- our UK neighbors when it derstated country house out onto its unique sur- Country House of the “Extreme Greens, Un- hotel, Lough Inagh Lodge, rounding landscape [the derstanding Seaweeds” agh as the “Pet Friendly comes to pet friendliness; Year, Greenmount House, if you Google an area in is that kind of place. It’s Burren], the hotel offers Dingle, Co. Kerry; B&B Britain looking for some- beautifully located in a quiet haven of discreet of the Year, Strandeen, where to stay, chances deepest Connemara and opulence, warm hospital- Portstewart, Co. Derry, are that pet friendly op- many guests bring their ity, and caring service. and named Hideaway of tions will pop straight dogs because it’s in a bril- The exceptional food has the Year, Bervie on Achill up. Water bowls are put liant area for walking and drawn many new guests Island in Co. Mayo. See out at doors and in bars other country pursuits. in recent years, and their ireland-guide.com for wherever you go and dogs “But even if you do none long-established policy of more information. are genuinely welcome of that, it’s just so relaxing showcasing local produce IRELAND almost everywhere. that pets are welcome in has given well-earned It’s nearly the end of “Although it is far from some areas of the hotel support to producers as 2015 but there are still the norm, many establish- [in the cozy bar, for ex- well as highlighting the many great reasons to ments here have quietly ample] and to come in at area’s unique foods. visit Ireland and there is welcomed dogs for years, night, ” Campbell writes. “Yet Gregan’s Castle still much to see and do and our Pet Friendly “Well-behaved owners are deserves to be seen more there. For information on equally welcome, it should in the round, as the Maire O’Connor, who owns Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel of the Year [Lough activities and more, visit Inagh] is one of them.” be said.” beautiful rooms - all refur- Ireland.com, the tourist Hotel in Recess, Co. Galway, with her dog, Sophie. GREGAN’S CASTLE bished with understated Lough Inagh was named by Georgina Campbell as PET PAMPERING board’s website. And, Campbell adds, “It’s a Gregan’s Castle Hotel elegance in recent years, watch for great deals on “Pet friendly hotel of the year for 2016.” is beautifully located at with constant reference It isn’t every hotel that has a ram (real or otherwise) pity that Ireland is not airfare and ground travel in the living room, but you can find this proud crea- very well supplied with the bottom of Corkscrew to the surrounding land- in this shoulder season. ture at Gregan’s Castle Hotel in Co. Clare. pet-friendly places to stay, Hill in Co. Clare’s Bur- scape - the cozy bar with Judy Enright photos as it’s a great place to ren region, but it’s a its welcoming open fire, Page 28 November 2015 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com