May 2016 Boston’s hometown VOL. 27 #5 journal of Irish culture. $2.00 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2016 bostonirish.com Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. “Riverdance” – 20 years, and still dancing strong Citi Wang dates: May 10 to May 15 By r. J. donovan SPeCIal to the BIr It seems like only yes- terday the international Irish singing and danc- ing phenomenon “River- dance” first blazed to life. Since opening in Dublin in 1995, the production has dazzled more than 25 million theatergoers across six continents. The milestone 20th An- niversary World Tour will be performing at Boston’s Citi Wang Theatre from May 10 to May 15. “Riverdance” originat- ed as a seven-minute dance number created for the 1994 Eurovision broadcast, the world’s longest-running inter- national television song competition. With a score by Limerick native Bill Whalen, the electrifying performance at Dublin’s Port Theatre was an instant hit, bringing the audience to its feet. Ironically, the extraor- dinary number was not part of the competition. Instead, it was meant The female dance troupe presents “Anna Livia,” an acapella number, in “Riverdance: The 20th Anniversary World Tour.” (Continued on page 13) Rob-McDougal photo Feeney brothers send young talent ‘All Changed, to college to study the gas industry Changed Utterly…’ By MaddIe KIlgannon By Peter F. StevenS BIr CorreSPondent BIr StaFF The Feeney brothers, Fifth of five parts. Greg and Brendan, who In Boston, as elsewhere in the United States, many operate a private utility Irish viewed the rebels as heroes from the first news contractor company in of the revolt. At four minutes past noon on Easter Dorchester, have been Monday, April 24, 1916, Patrick Pearse read the Proc- investing in their work lamation of the Republic from the steps of the General force through a training Post Office, declaring Ireland’s right to exist as a free program conducted at and sovereign nation. Bunker Hill Commu- The Boston Globe ran the entire text of the Irish nity College. The two-year “Declaration of Independence” on May 1, 1916; however, course, which trains stu- the eloquent document alone was not enough to sway dents in every aspect of the many readers – at least not yet. Supporters of Irish gas industry, will graduate home rule continued to denounce the Rising. A num- its first class this month. ber of Boston priests similarly castigated the actions The Gas Utility Technol- of Pearse, James Connolly, Michael Collins, Eamon ogy (GUT) Degree Option de Valera, and company as criminals against proper Program gives graduates authority, “traitors” against a nation [Great Britain] “more than just a piece at war against “the Hun.” of paper,” said Bill Egan, The company headed by Sligo-natives Greg and Brendan Feeney has pioneered a two year Gas Utility Technology program at a local community college. A great many of the Boston Irish did not yet know director of support services will be able to successfully Hill to complement its during school breaks that how to assess the doomed uprising. The local news- at Feeney Brothers Utility complete gas specific per- existing electrical utility allow for students to gain papers carried accounts of Dublin crowds jeering and Services. “The program formance skills and dem- program. Egan says the hands on experience and hurling invective at the ragged, bloodied rebels as they aims to give students all onstrate the ability to work program at Bunker Hill work with other profes- were marched through the streets to prison. Then, the the tools they need in order in teams to accomplish our is “truly a gateway to sionals in the gas utility reprisals by the British came – and everything changed to be safe and effective in objectives.” well paying jobs” in the industry. in Dublin and across the Atlantic in Boston. the field. Our expectation, Egan said that Feeney gas utility industry. The One of the three stu- In London, the Cabinet issued Major-General Sir John upon completion of these Brothers helped to create vocational program incor- Maxwell secret orders that the leaders of the Easter courses, is that graduates a GUT program at Bunker porates paid internships (Continued on page 9) (Continued on page 9) Brian W. O’Sullivan CFP®, ChFc, CLU Partner 234 Copeland Street, Suite 225 Quincy, MA 02169 Tel. 617-479-0075 Ext. 331 Fax 617-479-0071 Brian W. O’Sullivan, CFP ®, ChFC, CLU, is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC, Member [email protected] SIPC. Supervisory Address: 101 Federal Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02210 • 617-439-4389 www.commonwealthfinancialgroup.com Page 2 May 2016 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR bostonirish.com ICCNE remembers April 24, 1916 A large crowd gathered at the Canton campus of the the altar during Mass held 16 lilies, each labeled with reading of the proclamation. Irish Cultural Centre of New England (ICCNE) on Sun- names of those executed after the 1916 rising. Ciaran Nagle and Tara Novak were the final act day, April 24, to commemorate the 100th anniversary In other features, the Irish tenor Ciaran Nagle gave and what a finale! Their rendition of “The Fields of of the Easter Rising. Fr. Oliver Rafferty S.J., head of the event the solemnity and importance it deserved with Athenry” had all in attendance singing and waving Irish Studies at BC, celebrated the Mass, which fea- his singing of the Irish National Anthem; Fr. delivered their hands in the air! tured the music of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and an insightful and gripping speech on Catholicism and the beautiful singing of Maureen McNally. The Irish the Rising; Irish dancers from the Dunleavy, Boyle and Submitted by Maudy Dooher, ICCNE Director of Government was represented by the remarks given Connolly School of Irish dance captured everyone’s at- Programming & Membership. by Consul General Fionnuala Quinlan. Four vases at tention; and the actor Jason McCool’s gave a masterly At left, Ireland Consul General in Boston Fionnuala Quinlan. A special thank you to our two readers whose relatives had a direct involvement in the events of 1916. At right, Patricia O’Neill is a granddaughter of Cecilia Rose O’Neill, nee Conroy, and a grandniece of eileen Ho- gan, nee Conroy, both members of Cumman na mBan of 1916 emer Mezzetti, is a grandniece of elizabeth O’Farrell, member of Cumman na mBan of 1916. – Maudy Dooher Photos Tricia O’Neill Photography Fr. Oliver Rafferty, SJ talked about Catholicism and The Rising. bostonirish.com May 2016 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR Page 3 Dot native set to take CEO seat at Eversource By BIll Forry who is stepping down from ish, Judge and his wife maintained close ties to and today: These are first edItor the job next month. Mary (Cahill), who was his native neighborhood and second-generation Jim Judge, a native of The 60-year-old Judge also born and raised in throughout his career. immigrant parents trying Dorchester and the son of a is now the executive vice Dorchester, lived on Ash- “Still to this day, Jim to do the best for their Boston Police officer and a president and chief finan- mont Street after their is as comfortable on Ash- families. The objectives school librarian, has been cial officer for Eversource, marriage. He began his mont Street as he is on are the same. College named the new president which has a market value career in the finance of- Wall Street,” Hunt said. Bound and Mark Culliton and CEO of Eversource of over $18 billion, accord- fice of Boston Edison after “He’s never forgotten his and the staff have a pas- Energy, the utility com- ing to the company. He is graduating from Catholic Dorchester roots as evi- sion to shift the paradigm pany that serves 3.6 mil- expected to be elected as Memorial and Babson denced by his support for and interrupt a cycle of lion customers throughout chairman of the company’s College, where he also local organizations.” dysfunction and try to New England. He will board at an annual meet- secured a master’s degree Judge was honored by transform the community. succeed Tom May, the ing next year. in business. College Bound Dorchester They are engaging some company’s longtime chief Born in St. Peter’s par- In an interview with the at its annual gala in 2014. of the most disconnected Reporter, Judge credited He has served on the board youth and leading them the Sisters of Charity of the organization for the into college and a bright at St Peter’s Grammar last decade, according to future.” Joseph Corcoran School with giving him “a College Bound’s president Judge is engaged in tremendous educational Mark Culliton. many other civic endeav- foundation that got me “Jim is a quiet and hum- ors in his personal life, is choice for Robert started. I remember most Jim Judge ble champion for Dorches- serving on the board of of my classmates coming sued by the company ter who put our youth and the United Way of Mas- F. Kennedy honor out of eighth grade and last week. “I have every their future first in all that sachusetts and participat- getting scholarships to confidence in his ability he did,” said Culliton. “He ing on Eversource’s many Joseph E. Corcoran, the founder and chairman of CM or BC High.” to successfully lead Ever- is a Dorchester kid who corporate outreach efforts. the Corcoran Jennison Companies and a national St. Peter’s “was just a source into the future. His did well and understands The company leads an an- pioneer in transforming failed public housing projects great community to grow extensive experience in it’s his responsibility to nual walk for Children’s into successful mixed-income neighborhoods that of- up in.