Walsh Plans Trip to Ireland in the Spring
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February 2014 Boston’s hometown VOL. 25 #2 journal of Irish culture. $1.50 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2014 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. bostonirish.com RunnIng foR MaRtIn Walsh plans BAA Marathon team is raising funds to trip to Ireland honor memory of Dorchester boy in the spring By Bill Forry eDitor By Gintautas Dumcius A tight-knit group of neighbors and family news eDitor friends will form the nucleus of the inaugural Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Team MR8, a squad of 100-plus runners who who boasts roots in Co. Galway, will run in April’s Boston Marathon in memory always keeps an eye on the of Martin Richard, the eight-year-old Dorchester ould sod, but this spring, as he boy who lost his life in last year’s terror bomb- rounds out his first few months ing attack. in office, he plans to check things Each member of the team will raise thousands out personally. of dollars for the newly formed Martin W. Rich- “I haven’t even focused on it ard Charitable Foundation, whose mission is yet,” Walsh told the Reporter “to honor Martin’s message of ‘No more hurting this week as he continues to people – peace’ by investing in education, athlet- settle into his new job. “I do want ics, and community.” to go, though, probably in May.” Among those hand-picked by the Richard fam- He added that he wouldn’t be ily and their foundation are close friends and making any other stops while neighbors, including Lisa Hourihan Jackson, Jose over there. Calderon, Mike McCarthy, and Harry Benzan, The mayoral trip across the Atlantic was first floated as a -ru of Rosmuc, and her son has a who coached both Martin and his younger sister sign in his new office with the Jane, who lost a limb in the attack. mor in Irish America magazine, which celebrates the rise of the words “Rosmuc” on it, a nod to “When this awful thing happened, Bill and his family’s heritage. Denise [Richard] said that they really wanted Dorchester native with a cover story in its February/March Walsh’s campaign and elec- some privacy. And we honored what they wanted,” tion were closely tracked in explained Benzan. “So now this opportunity came edition. Walsh, who served as a state representative from Ireland, often making the and this is what they’ve asked for. It’s a wonderful front page of newspapers, and way to show that we’re there for them.” Dorchester for 16 years before running for mayor, has made the inauguration in January The other Dorchester and OFD runners named attracted elected officials and to the squad this week include Colin Butler, Bob Harry Benzan, who coached Martin Richard many previous trips to Ireland. on the soccer fields of Dorchester, will be a Irish America noted that residents of Galway, including Cleary Dave Gilmartin, Michelle Griffin, John County Mayor Liam Carroll and Hanlon, Michelle Hobin, Edmund Kelly, Katy member of the newly-formed team that will after his victory, the mayor run this year’s Boston Marathon in Martin’s spoke to the Irish broadcast City Mayor Padraig Conneely. Kelly, James Keefe, Suzanne (Morrison) McDe- After he was elected, Walsh vitt, Rachel Moo, Patrick Ryan, and Steve Wilkins. memory. Photo courtesy Harry Benzan medium Raidio na Gaeltachta and pledged a visit this year. talked to a Boston Globe cor- The full team, which was expected to be fi- approximately $7,500 [each], said 47-year-old respondent in Ireland about his nalized and announced last week, will include Mike McCarthy, a father of four from Dorchester “When he returns, Walsh will be assured a royal welcome acquaintance with the Conne- as many as 108 runners, among them a mix of with close ties to the Richard family. “I’m pretty mara region on the fringes of charity runners, who will receive bibs through determined and set my mind to things. After what befitting a native son who has done Connemara proud,” the Galway. “Oh, I’ve been over the foundation. The team will also include quali- happened last year it inspired me. I just wanted there at least a dozen times,” fied runners who already have a bib through the to do it more. It motivated me even more to run magazine wrote. The mayor’s mother Mary and he said. “Every summer I’d go Boston Athletic Association (BAA). the marathon.” over as a kid to my grandpar- In a statement announcing plans for the team Mike and his wife Sheila are planning an Irish- his late father John are natives of Connemara, a legendary re- ents’ house in Rosmuc, where earlier this month, Bill and Denise Richard themed fundraiser event to help him raise the my mother is from. I loved explained, “This foundation will be a legacy for requisite donation for the MR8 team. The party gion of Galway, although they didn’t meet until both were liv- it there: planting cabbage or Martin, allowing us to ‘pay it forward’ and make will be held at Florian Hall on Thurs., Feb. 27. sowing potatoes in the fields, a difference in ways that would make him proud The event will include a 50-50 raffle, a silent ing in Boston and ran into each other at a local dance hall. Mary feeding the chickens or fishing but also be a source of healing and purpose for us.” auction, step-dancing performances, and “tons on the pier.” “As a team member we’re supposed to raise of Irish music,” according to McCarthy. Walsh was born in the village Lenahan O’Connell of Ja- justice, humor, hard work, and a Rita, devoted considerable time the Commonwealth’s most maica Plain, who died on Jan. commitment to people, whether and resources to a wide range powerful political leaders of Irishmen 5, celebrated his 100th birthday his law clients or those in society of Irish cultural and historic his generation. Mr. Quinn, 85, last June. While a handful of who needed the most help. organizations, giving special was a state representative from people achieve the centenarian Dr. William T. O’Connell of emphasis, much time, and Ward 13 who became speaker at the core, milestone, not many do so hav- Duxbury, a podiatrist who was frequent lectures to educate, en- of the Massachusetts House ing lived a life so large as Mr. known to many as Dr. Bill, led tertain and raise funds for the and, later, state attorney gen- O’Connell. From family and an active life well into his 80s. Deer Island Famine Memorial. eral. He was a pivotal figure 3 stalwarts the law to the very history and He traveled extensively, tour- Robert H. Quinn, a Savin in bringing the University of politics of Boston from the 20th ing Russia and South America, Hill, Dorchester, native, re- Massachusetts to its present to the 21st centuries, this rock- among other places while mak- covered from a life and death home on Dorchester’s Columbia pass away ribbed Boston Irish Democrat, ing 21 trips to Ireland. He skied bout with tuberculosis as a Point in the 1970s. did it all, with a keen sense of into his 70s, and, with his wife young man to became one of Stories, Page 2. When you need a mortgage... Your dream home... you need Mt. Washington Bank. We’ve made our home nancing process so smooth, our applications is in the palm of your hand so easy and our turnaround so quick, the only think you need to worry about is what mover to hire. Contact our Loan Center Today at 617.268.0379 Oces conveniently located in South Boston, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, South End, and Allston. Partners In Com munity Banking Member FDIC www.mtwashingtonbank.com Member DIF Page 2 February 2014 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com ‘Dr. Bill’ took on many causes William T. O’Connell, shared a zest for life and dolph Ski Club of North University College of Po- or Dr. Bill as he was known a dedication to all things Conway, NH, the Holy diatric Medicine in Ohio. to many, led an active life. Irish. Bill became an ex- Family Choir in Duxbury Later he rose through the He traveled extensively, pert historian and gave and founding member of ranks at the MBTA where touring Russia and South frequent lectures to edu- the Irish Cultural Centre he met Rita. Over the America, among other cate, entertain and raise where he and Rita enjoyed course of many summers, places while making 21 funds for the Deer Island many an evening listening they also served as a host trips to Ireland. He skied Famine Memorial. Some to Irish music and playing family for the Cape Cod into his 70s, and devoted of the multiple organiza- along on the bones. Irish Children’s Program considerable time and re- tions he belonged to in- Born in Boston and which brought children sources to a wide range of cluded the Ancient Order raised in Dorchester of from both Catholic and Irish cultural and historic of Hibernians, Plymouth Irish- born parents from Protestant traditions to- organizations. Chapter, the Corkmen County Cork, Bill cher- gether for an extended Always at his side was and Lady’s Association, ished his heritage as a visit to the United States. his beloved late wife Rita, the Knights and Ladies Bostonian and Irish Amer- Dr. Bill’s funeral Mass who was the light of his life of St. Finbarr, voting ican. He served in the U.S.