November 2018 Boston’s hometown VOL. 29 # 11 journal of Irish culture. $2.00 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2018 bostonirish.com Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. NE’s Irish organizations focus on giving a boost to outreach efforts Congratulations The agenda to the centers on many issues 2018 Boston Irish Honorees By Dan Sheehan BIR Staff How can Irish diaspora orga- nizations from across New Eng- land find some common ground on how they tell the stories that matter to those who cherish their The gathering at the ICCNE campus in Canton last month. heritage? That was the overrid- Ed Forry photo ing topic last month (Oct. 13) at and how to promote community Quincy or Braintree.” It also a conference sponsored by the welfare. There was also discus- means “getting more kids, not From left: Bob and Mary Scannell, and Helen, Henry, and Brian Danilecki. Bill Forry, Aidan Browne, Dr. Trevor McGill, Ed Forry. Consulate General of Ireland in sion about the Ireland-New just Irish-American kids,” she Boston and the Irish Cultural England relationship; Irish noted, adding, Centre of New England at the studies, the Irish language; and “It’s all basically your heritage centre’s facilities in Canton. Irish history. and getting people to come back. Delegates from dozens of When it comes to raising mon- And they do.” groups, including Boston Col- ey, Mary Sugrue, Boston CEO of The ICCNE said that it was lege’s Irish Institute and Burns the Irish American Partnership, “delighted to host such a dy- Library, the Celtic Studies offered this: “The key to fund- namic day at the Irish Consulate programs from both Harvard raising is building relationships conference. Collaboration was and University of Vermont, the From left: Bill Forry, Supt. Nora Baston, Deputy Supt. Gerard Bailey, Rev. Doc Conway, Commissioner William Gross, Capt. Jack Danilecki and Ed Forry. with individuals. You have to be one of the recurring words of Charitable Irish Society, Irish passionate about what you’re the day. This gathering will help The Boston Irish Reporter gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors: Network Boston, the Boston asking them to support.” Speak- forge stronger relationships & Irish Business Association, the ing on a panel on managing indeed promote the emergence Irish Pastoral Centre, the Irish successful events, Ellen Joyce of new relationships between American Partnership, and of the GAA Continental Youth local organizations.” the Amherst Irish Association Championship host committee, Added the office of the Consul- offered their opinions on such touted inclusivity as a key part ate General: “Dear All, Thank Eire Society topics as: of expanding an organization’s you for attending the Conference How best to protect and reach. of New England Irish Organiza- promote Irish heritage; how to For her, success is about tions at the Irish Cultural Centre Irish American Partnership Mike & Maureen Sheehan better collaborate with other “being inclusive and getting in Canton, MA. We feel it was a groups; how to better raise funds; out there to other areas and huge success, and hope everyone how to manage events; how to towns, and not thinking it’s found it just as rewarding and See Pages 7-16 use social media to best effects; just Canton and Dorchester or insightful as we did.” For Áine Minogue, it’s all about Eve and what she has meant for all of us By Sean Smith Minogue’s work is marked by Special to the BIR a serene, meditative sound, The Boston-area Irish harp- with elements of new age and ist and singer Áine Minogue world music blended with those has a certain philosophy about of Irish and other Celtic tradi- brainstorms: If you have one, tions, and an abiding interest in don’t get in the way – just let the spirituality and mythology Michael F. Higgins: it happen and then figure it all found in the ancient Celtic world Irish voters’ choice out afterwards. So, a few years and its traditions and rituals ago, Minogue found herself in – as demonstrated in albums Higgins breezes what she calls “a mad writing such as the holiday-themed “To fit,” in which hundreds of songs Warm the Winter’s Night” and to second term seem to pour out. “The Spirit of Christmas,” and Ireland re-elected its leftist “I didn’t know what was “Circle of the Sun,” a collection president, Michael D. Higgins, going on,” recalls Minogue, a of songs and tunes that mark to a second term and voted Tipperary native. “Some of the the passage of seasons. overwhelmingly on Oct. 27 to songs seemed to come from my Here, however, Minogue’s remove a ban on blasphemy subconscious. They were coming focus is on the many iterations from the Constitution. out, and I was just along for the of Eve – not just as a Biblical Higgins won easily, with ride, trying to keep up. I felt I or literary character, but as about 56 percent of the vote, was the messenger, and so it the essence and embodiment despite a late surge by a former became a matter of figuring out of femininity itself, throughout reality show celebrity whose what I was meant to convey.” history and humanity. support soared after he criti- This surge of creativity be- “It’s about everything that cized an ethnic minority group. came the basis for her latest Eve represents, and not just as In a separate ballot, about 65 album, “Eve,” her 15th over- it applies to being a woman,” she percent of voters, or 951,650 all – and her first consisting Aine Minogue’s latest album, “Eve,” is her first of all-original explains. “There is the idea, as people, chose to abolish a con- entirely of original songs. songs. (Continued on page 18) stitutional ban on blasphemy. 34-Month 46-Month 58-Month

% % % 1.50APY* 1.85APY* 2.20APY* If our rates go up, your’s can too! * Rates expressed as Annual Percentage Yields (APYs), are accurate as of 1/1/18, and are subject to change without notice. The bump-up option can only be exercised once during the term of the certificate. The certificate term is not extended by the bump-up/APY increase. To initiate the one-time bump-up contact a Member Service Representative at any branch office. City of Boston Credit Union will use its best efforts to comply with all APY increase requests by the close of business on the next business day. APY increases are not retroactive, and will apply to the remainder of the certificate term. APY increases can be initiated on the 34-month certificate if the then current APY for City of Boston Credit Union’s 34-month certificate or 36-month certificate is above 1.50%, or on the 46-month certificate if the then current APY for City of Boston Credit Union’s 46-month certificate or 48-month certificate is above 1.85% APY or on the 58-month certificate if the then current APY for City of Boston Credit Union’s 58-month certificate or 60-month certificate is above 2.20%. In no event can the bump-up rate exceed the then current rate for the certificate. Dividends will be credited to your account and compounded every month. Upon maturity, 34-, 46- and 58-month Bump-Up Certificates will automatically rollover into the member’s City of Boston Credit Union share account. All other certificate terms and conditions will apply. Minimum deposit of $500. 617-635-4545 Deposits can not be made during the term of the account. Rates may change after account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings. Subject to penalty for early withdrawal. Not available for IRA Certificates. Must be a member of City of Boston Credit Union to open Cityofbostoncu.com certificate account. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Federally Insured by NCUA. Excess share insurance by MSIC. Page 2 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com

HURLING RETURNS TO FENWAY PARK NOVEMBER 18TH

TICKETS ON SALE NOW | REDSOX.COM/HURLING bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 3 Words to abide by from a Silver Key honoree of the Charitable Irish Society The Charitable Irish So- to work as a nanny. The ments and shopping. We ciety presented Silver Key people moved out west, encouraged this woman to awards to Paul Doyle, an leaving her with an ex- take driving lessons (she Irish community activist pired visa and the fear of was terrified), and she and a volunteer champion deportation. Fortunately, eventually received her of the St. Vincent DePaul we were able to provide license. We then gave her Society and other non- her with legal assistance a key—a key to a reliable profit organizations, and through the efforts of Tony used car, which to this day to Linda Dorcena Forry, a Marino of the Irish Inter- she is still driving both to former state senator who national Immigrant Cen- work and appointments. is now an executive with ter, who forwarded her “These are just several Suffolk Construction, at paperwork to Fragoman examples of the work we its annual Awards Recep- Law Offices, who took on do. … Looking out over tion at the Fairmont Cop- her case pro bono. We cov- this fine gathering, I ley Plaza hotel on Oct. 4. ered all the costs of filing would guess that most The Society was formed fees, transportation, and here are immigrants, in Boston in 1737 to “cul- a physical, which eventu- children of immigrants, tivate a spirit of unity ally led to her receiving a or grandchildren of immi- and harmony among all green card, which was her grants, many of whom ar- resident Irish and their key to opening the door rived mostly from Western Silver Key honorees Linda Dorcena Forry and Paul Doyle. descendants in the Mas- to opportunities, includ- and Eastern Europe in the sachusetts Colony and ing driving lessons and a 1800’s and early-1900’s raising families, paying use it? Will we use it to them what was offered to to advocate socially and full-time job. and were subjected to the taxes, and joining politi- lock inside these doors our immigrant ancestors morally the interests of “Another family is an harsh reality of not being cal parties, so they could anger, hostility, paranoia, – the opportunity to better the Irish people and their Egyptian father and moth- welcomed. … Eventually, share the benefits offered and fear? Or will we use it themselves by working cultural heritage.” er with a three-year-old with the help of various in their new home, called to help our fellow human hard, raising families, After he was presented daughter, who was born groups and organizations, America. All they needed beings who are coming to paying taxes, and becom- with his Silver Key, Mr. here. The father became like the AOH and the was a chance, a helping this country in search of a ing productive members Doyle, a New Haven na- a citizen several years Charitable Irish Society, hand, and the right key better life for themselves of our society? I sincerely tive who with his wife ago after fleeing Egypt these immigrants were to succeed. … and their families, by un- hope so! Margo raised their family with his wife because of able to assimilate into “Today, I believe each locking those doors, which “Let us not forget: We in Weymouth, congratu- religious persecution. the fabric of American one of us holds a key. The are now being slammed in are all immigrants!” lated his co-honoree, Sen. These people are Coptic society by getting de- question is: How will we their faces and offering to Forry, saluted his wife and Christians, living in a cent jobs, working hard, family and friends, then country which is 90 per- offered a few remarks, ex- cent Muslim. We helped cerpts from which follow: the mother with obtaining “I would like to cite a green card, helped her to several examples of where get a job, and now she is the Society of St. Vincent working at QCAP’s Head DePaul (SVdP), with Start Program in Quincy, financial assistance from and on her way to receiv- the Charitable Irish So- ing her designation as a ciety (CIS) were able to Child Development As- make positive differences sociate. We are paying for in the lives of others less her books and tuition and fortunate. other incremental costs. “There is a family con- “A third family we sisting of a mother, father, helped was that of an and six children under immigrant single mother the age of 17. The father from Brazil with three became a naturalized children, two with learn- citizen several years ago. ing disabilities. The The children were all mother had a job 1.5 miles born here, making them from her home to where US citizens. The mother she worked every day. She was brought here on a had to depend on The Ride visa from the Philippines for various doctor appoint- Consulate ‘fireside chat’ on Douglass, O’Connell scheduled for Nov. 14 The Irish Consulate in 1845 of Frederick Dou- will host a “fireside chat” glass and Ireland’s Daniel at 5:30 p.m. on Wed., Nov O’Connell, the Liberator. 14, with Dr. William H. The event will discuss Smith, founding executive the visit of Frederick Doug- to our director of the National lass to Ireland, his encoun- THANK YOU Center for Race Amity, ter with Daniel O’Connell – and the Irish author Don including an inspirational Mullan, of Hope Initiatives speech by O’Connell which International. Douglass transcribed and Sponsors The two men recently sent back to the Abolition- returned from Ireland ist Movement in the USA, where they completed a and the view that having four-province screening of come to Ireland as a single Dorchester Youth Soccer 54 Pleasant Street LLC Greenhills Bakery Smith’s documentary film issue campaigner (to help wishes to thank the Adams Corner Café and Butcher Guy A Carbone Attorney at law “An American Story: Race end American slavery), Shop Lamberts Amity and the Other Tradi- Douglass left Ireland as following sponsors: Ann M Foley Insurance Local 103 tion,” the “Other Tradition” an internationalist. Blaise Eckert DDS Lucy’s American Tavern being the experience of Smith and Mullan will Boston Trust Realty Group Maneikis Group amity and close cross/racial be reflecting on their ex- Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester Maureen Connolly Insurance collaboration to advance periences in Ireland, their Brilliant Tire Mayor Walsh equity and social justice. vision for a Frederick Dou- College Hype Michael Cronin The film focuses on the glass and Daniel O’Connell Commercial Insurance MR8 relations between pivotal “Season”, and their views Congressman Stephen Lynch Mudd House figures of different races on the issues facing the Councilor Annissa Essaibi George Neponset Circle Car Wash who worked together to US and Ireland in the area Councilor Ayanna Pressley Pipefitters Local 537 advance equality, includ- of race. Councilor Frank Baker Police Athletic League ing the meeting in Dublin Councilor Michael Flaherty Representative Dan Cullinane Councilor Michele Wu Representative Dan Hunt County Cork Club Mass D Mazzioli Assoc inc Rodman for Kids Foundation Delaney Insurance Senator Nick Collins set for Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. Diore Construction Signs By J The Knights and Ladies tea, sandwiches and Irish Don Bosco F.C. St Brendans GAC of St. Finbarr, the County baked goods will be served Dorchester Tire Sullivan McLaughlin Electrical Cork Club, will sponsor a after the Mass, followed Dorchester Youth Soccer Twelve Bens mass for deceased mem- by dancing to the music of Dotsmiles Valerie Insurance bers at 6:30 pm on Nov. 10 Erin’s Melody until 11 pm. Feeney Bros Wahlberg Foundation at the Malden Irish Ameri- Donation: $10. During the Friends of Andrea Campbell Yale Electric can Club. The service will evening the Fr. Dan Finn Friends of Donny Higgins be celebrated by club chap- award will be presented. lain Fr. Dan Finn. Coffee, Page 4 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Editor’s Notebook The BIR’s Irish Honors speak each year to a heritage of appreciation By Ed Forry A couple who have spent decades helping Boston kids stay safe and achieve their dreams; a Catholic priest who ministers to the city’s most vulnerable; and a pioneering ENT physician with roots in Dublin. These were the very worthy honorees at this year’s Boston Irish Honors luncheon, which took place on October 18 in the main ballroom of Boston’s Seaport Hotel. Founded in 2010 as a way to celebrate the contri- butions of Irish-American families and individuals who have brought honor and distinction to our city and region over many decades, this event has become a welcome tradition in our fall calendar. The event last month was our 9th annual gathering, and it has become one of the season’s premier celebrations of Irish-American achievement in Massachusetts. This year, we were thrilled to tell the stories of four Boston Irish Americans: Mary and Bob Scannell, who have become surrogate parents to thousands of children as they lead the amazing Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester; Trevor McGill MD, who trained in medicine in his native Ire- land and came to our city for a “brief stay,” and for more than 40 years has performed medical miracles here at Children’s Hospital; and Father Richard “Doc” Conway, a Roman Catholic priest of the Boston archdiocese whom Boston Police Commissioner Willie Gross has nicknamed “Rev. Clint Eastwood.” These honorees represent the best qualities of the Irish— devotion to our fellow Bostonians; a sense of compassion for all people, no matter their place of birth From the very first sample edition, published in the nedy, Joseph Corcoran family, James Hunt family, or station in life; and a deep connection to our common fall of 1990, the BIR has “told the stories” of hundreds, Mark & Tom Mulvoy and family. 2010 – US Sen. Ed ancestral homeland, Ireland. perhaps thousands, of our neighbors who share our Markey John Donohue, Jim Brett family, Mayor John In their personal and professional lives— as both in- Irish ancestral roots, and have led exemplary lives Hynes family. dividuals and with their families— they inspire us and right here in our midst. In today’s BIR, three gifted writers, Jack Thomas, our fellow citizens with their dedication to our country, Past Boston Irish Honorees include: 2017- the Ken- Peter Stevens, and Bill Forry have filed profiles of the to our Commonwealth, and to the neediest among us. nedy family, Nora, Annmarie, Bill; Tom Tinlin, Kevin 2018 honorees. We invite you to enjoy reading about In the almost 30 years since the first edition of this Cullen; 2016- Jim & Mary (Cahill) Judge, US Sen. Paul them on Pages 7 to 16 in this annual celebration of newspaper, we have been amazed to learn about the G Kirk Jr, Kevin & Joe Leary & family; 2015 - Mar- the best in our Boston Irish community. accomplishments of so very many of our fellow Boston garet Stapleton, Mike Sheehan, BPD Commissioner We are already planning for next year’s event, and Irish neighbors, and we have been truly privileged William Evans & family; 2014 - Katherine Craven, we hope to continue this luncheon celebration for years to tell many of their stories. People of my generation Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, the Burke family of South to come. We encourage you, dear readers, to send us will remember that phrase from a 1960s era television Boston; 2013 – State Senate President Therese Murray, your recommendations of other exemplary persons and program- “There are 8 million stories in the city, and Gerry and Bob Mulligan & family, John P. Driscoll Jr. families who help to make Boston’s Irish communities this is just one of them.” (posthumously); 2012 – Congressman Richard Neal, vibrant and strong. We welcome hearing from you. Brendan & Greg Feeney, Mary & Bob Muse family You can contact the BIR at [email protected] Joe Leary column Page 25. family; 2011- Kathleen O’Toole, State Sen. Tom Ken- A letter to my grandchildren Dear “Magnificent Eleven,” Having lived now almost 80 years, I thought it Off the Bench accidents without any rhyme or reason, is folly. While would be a good time to impart what wisdom I have I do not understand it, I believe there is planning accumulated in a long, happy, and productive life, the people of another over policies they do not understand and purpose (some call it “intelligent design”) behind happiness being in no small part attributable to you. and for which they are not responsible. Under differ- evolution. Without a creator, where did the stuff that To tell the truth, the reason your grandmother and I ent circumstances, they could be friends. I pray that initiated this ever-so-complex process come from? had children was to get to you. in your lifetime, mankind will finally see the utter I also believe in transcendent virtues. Truth, love, My life has spanned all or futility of war. and justice, are not mere artifacts, customs, or social part of the terms of thirteen On a related subject, our obsession with guns is ir- norms that evolved but can change over time. They presidents, from Franklin D. rational. They are efficient instruments to maim or are absolute, and further evidence of a deity. We may Roosevelt to Donald J. Trump. kill. Despite claims to the contrary, the reason this not do a good job of understanding and applying these From one of the best to one of country has such a high murder/suicide rate is the virtues, but they are not malleable, artificial, or subjec- the worst in our history. I rec- availability of guns. There are more guns here than tive. They are the standards by which our success or ommend that you study history. there are people. Nations that restrict guns have far failure as human beings will be measured. They are It provides context, perspective, fewer murders. Due to a dubious interpretation of the further defined in the Beatitudes, Ten Commandments insights into human nature, Second Amendment, there now exists a constitutional and the Declaration of Independence. and an awareness of things right to own a gun. Through the efforts of gun rights As a Christian, I accept the teaching that we are gained and lost. Progress, par- activists, gun ownership has taken on an almost reli- all ultimately accountable for our behavior; good is ticularly in the areas of science gious fervor. If only such devotion were displayed for rewarded and evil punished by a merciful God. Oth- and technology, is obvious. protecting human life! erwise, Hitler and Stalin would escape into oblivion Less apparent and often not I have always prayed for courage, fortitude (moral and never have to answer for their monstrous deeds. anticipated, is the price paid courage), wisdom, understanding, and self-control. Without absolute justice, the poor, sick, suffering, and James W. Dolan for it. More and more distrac- These virtues, along with integrity, honor, and humility, oppressed of the world would share the same fate as tions tend to overwhelm us. Lost is the time to think, are all part of what is known as character. A commit- despots. contemplate, or pray. Find time for simple things like ment to being principled should be an essential part The rich and powerful no more merit opportunities nature, quiet reflection, and connections. of your development. It provides a solid foundation for and success than the disadvantaged of the world deserve War is madness, mass murder on a gigantic scale. anything you do. their pain and suffering. True justice requires a final Too many have been fought in my lifetime, only two Be as generous to your parents as you would like your reckoning, a balancing, when a person’s capacity to do of which – World War II and perhaps Korea, in my children to be to you. We are all flawed and will make good or evil is measured against his or her actions. Only opinion – were justified. Where is the sanity when mistakes. Parents make mistakes, some of which they an all-knowing God can make that judgment. Human young people of one country seek to maim or kill young may not even be aware of. You, too, will make mistakes, justice is flawed in several respects: It is limited by an perhaps not the same ones as your parents, but you inability to always establish the truth, arbitrary in in will make them. Part of loving is understanding and its application, and more concerned with behavior than forgiveness. Remember: “Forgive us our trespasses as capacity. Legal or illegal is no substitute for knowing Boston Irish we forgive those who trespass against us.” It asks for right from wrong. understanding and forgiveness in the same portion Transcendent love is the paramount virtue from REPORTER that we provide it. Those who hold grudges for real or which all others flow. Because of obvious flaws in hu- The Boston Irish Reporter is published monthly by: imagined grievances usually expect antipathy in return man nature, mankind is incapable of selfless love, fully Boston Neighborhood News, Inc., and are often won over when, instead, they receive identifying truth or doing justice, individual or social. 150 Mt. Vernon St., Suite 120, Dorchester, MA 02125 love and understanding. Try throwing a “love bomb” Love, truth, and justice as we know them are only pale [email protected] www.bostonirish.com to someone who is angry or alienated. It often works. reflections of the absolute virtues embodied in God. Mary C. Forry, President (1983-2004) Avoid being drawn into controversies over matters Our job is to strive to achieve them as best we can. Edward W. Forry, Publisher unimportant, damaging, or senseless. Refuse to engage In my opinion, the fundamental weakness in human Thomas F. Mulvoy Jr., Managing Editor in personal disputes, the consequences of which may William P. Forry, Editor nature is not “original sin” but free will. We were given Peter F. Stevens, Contributing Editor be far more damaging than the underlying grievance. it as a gift and a burden. Without it, we would be like News Room: (617) 436-1222 Strive to be a peacemaker even to the point of apolo- robots, not responsible for our actions. Implicit in free Ads : (617) 436-1222 gizing for a real or imagined offense. Anger invariably will is the capacity to sin. Christian redemption was Fax: (617) 825-5516 [email protected] makes a bad situation worse. an act of supreme love wherein Christ died to atone On The Web at www.bostonirish.com There are reasonable arguments for and against the for the inevitable evil that would result in the exercise Date of Next Issue: December, 2018 existence of God. Both require a leap of faith. I have of free will. Deadline for Next Issue: Tuesday, November 20 at 12 noon concluded that the only thing more preposterous than Love you all! You have been life’s greatest gifts. Published monthly in the first week of each month. belief in God is to believe there is no God. To think – Papa The Boston Irish Reporter is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements beyond that the cosmos, nature, and life are the result of some the cost of the space occupied by the error. The right is reserved by The Boston Irish James W. Dolan is a retired Dorchester District Court Reporter to edit, reject, or cut any copy without notice. enormous cataclysm, an endless series of coincidences/ judge who now practices law. bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 5 Point of View A TALE OF TWO IRISH AMERICANS By Peter F. Stevens US Sen. Susan Collins has faith have been delusional or duplicitous about one other BIR Staff key aspect of the Kavanaugh hearings. It defies all “Trust” them. If you have a preexisting condition, that Kavanaugh will keep his word reason for anyone to profess that they believe both your fate may literally rest in the hands of an Irish Kavanaugh and Ford. Anyone who supported the American judge whom an Irish-American senator judge should man up or woman up and declare that sent to the US Supreme Court with her pivotal they believe Dr. Ford either lied or was and is crazy. confirmation vote. That senator, Susan Collins, of Also, don’t believe Senator Leader Mitch McCon- Maine, trusts that Judge Kavanaugh will keep his nell’s viscous praise of Collins as some latter-day word. After all, he “assured” her face to face that version of her self-professed Maine role model, the he would never, ever vote to strike down mandated late Senator Margaret Chase Smith. Smith took coverage for preexisting conditions nor to chip away on Joe McCarthy by castigating her own political at Roe v. Wade. His word is his bond, Collins snarled party; Collins merely fell in lock step with McCon- in her oh-so-righteous indignation that anyone could nell’s party line. McConnell blurted out recently have any doubts about Judge Kavanaugh’s honesty. just what that blueprint includes: slashing Social For the sake of her own political career and for the Security, Medicare, and Medicare to pay for the sake of millions of Americans who grapple with pre- president’s and the GOP’s trillion-plus tax giveaway existing conditions and agonize over the threat to to the wealthiest among us. life-preserving healthcare, Collins had better be right. Don’t hold your breath for any genuine profile in In 2017, Collins stood up for healthcare protec- general, the argument is that since Congress eviscer- courage to magically emerge in the US Senate. The tions with fellow GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski ated the ACA’s individual mandate, it follows that jaw-dropping parade of profiles in cowardice by both and, most notably, the late Sen. John McCain to what’s left of “Obamacare” must also be tossed out parties in the Trump Era trudges on. thwart their president’s and their party’s obsession as unconstitutional. That includes protections for Carping over the Man Booker Prize Winner with eradicating the Affordable Care Act—without preexisting condition. Born and raised in Belfast, Anna Burns has become offering any semblance of a real replacement. Ac- Perhaps Collins believes legal experts who as- the first writer from Northern Ireland to win the cording to Collins, Kavanaugh—despite his evasions sert that the case is shaky; however, if it comes to prestigious Man Booker Award for Fiction. Earn- and outright refusal to answer any questions about an actual vote before Kavanaugh and his new col- ing her the honor was her third novel, “Milkman.” his past views of Obamacare and its protections of leagues, she might discover that his word was as Burns grew up in the working-class Catholic preexisting conditions—Collins is convinced that the vague, even fraudulent, as when he was pressed in district of Ardoyne and now resides in East Sussex, jurist will safeguard them. the confirmation hearings about his alleged high- in England. Her work has drawn deeply from her Here’s the thing: What did Kavanaugh say in pri- school nickname—“Bart.” Even though a letter he coming of age in Belfast amid The Troubles, her first vate to the Republican Collins that was 180 degrees wrote as a teen was signed “Bart,” he still refused novel, “No Bones,” capturing the strife in ways that removed from what he asserted to Democratic Sena- to acknowledge the nickname was his. garnered comparisons to James Joyce. “Milkman” tor Sheldon Whitehouse, of Rhode Island, in their Of course, the seemingly innocent question came has drawn similar comments from reviewers. It is an closed-door meet and greet? Whitehouse told Politico against the larger and heated backdrop of Dr. Ford’s experimental work that challenges the readers, and reporter Dan Diamond that Kavanaugh “had told him allegations of sexual misconduct against the judge. for those who favor fiction that rips along, Burns’s privately—that he [Kavanaugh] could not commit to Wherever one comes down on – did Dr. Ford or Judge lyrical prose compels one to consider every word. upholding the pre-existing conditions protection.” Kavanaugh told the truth? – Kavanaugh stubbornly She pulls the reader into the complex emotional and In his confirmation hearings, Judge Kavanaugh refrained from admitting he was—by his own youthful physical world of her narrator, a nameless 18-year- bobbed, weaved, and slithered away from any and handwriting—“Bart” Kavanaugh. Someone so will- old depicted simply as “middle sister.” An ominous, all questions about the issue, hiding behind what he ing to “bend” the truth about something that obvious much older man relentlessly pursues her. A dreaded called “nominee precedent.” now sits on the nation’s highest court. Democrats’ para-miltary figure, he is known as “the Milkman.” Don’t worry, Collins contends. He gave her his fantasy that they can impeach him is lunacy. Col- A number of critics have derided “Milkman” as a word. One can either believe what he told her or lins does not deserve the death threats from those wrong-headed choice for the Booker, complaining what he told Senator Whitehouse. Both politicians enraged by her vote. No senator does. All of them, that it is everything from ponderous and unfocused can’t be telling the truth unless Kavanaugh told a though, deserve the judgment of their voters. In to pretentious. It is none of these. Challenging, yes, different story to both. 2020, Collins might well discover that her supreme but well worth the time spent in the author’s and If a case titled Texas v. Azar barges its way before confidence in Kavanaugh’s veracity was delusional. “middle sister’s” world. the Supreme Court, Collins’s trust in Kavanaugh will If so, her constituents will remember her guarantees. (“Milkman,” Anna Burns, Graywolf Press, pa- be put to the test. Filed by 20 Republican attorneys Collins and a great many other Republican senators perback reprint edition, Dec. 11, 2018, ISBN-10: 1644450003; ISBN-13: 978-1644450000, 360 pp.)

FUNCTION ROOMS AVAILABLE Our Function Rooms & Marquee Tent In house catering and full bar available. are available to rent for private functions Call Sophie to book at 781 821 8291 x111 Communions Irish Cultural Centre of New England Christenings 200 New Boston Drive Private Parties and Weddings Canton, MA 02021 - all welcome 781-821-8291 www.irishculture.org Page 6 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Irish International Immigrant Center An agency accredited by US Department of Justice One State Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109 (617) 542-7654 Fax (617) 542-7655 Website:iiicenter.org Email: [email protected] Preparing for winter with IIIC Wellness As we head into the cold- turnout, and provided er months and approach vaccinations to 50 mem- the holidays, IIIC’s Well- bers of our community, ness team is always avail- including Irish students able to problem solve and and immigrants from to figure out the next step. around the world. This Rachel Reisman, LICSW, was a great way for us to and Siobhan Kelly, BSW, prepare for the chilly New are here to chat with you England months ahead, and have great resources which is always accom- to help you along your panied by flu season! We journey. Never hesitate to appreciate the support be in touch, send an email, of our partners and all check out our Facebook, or who joined us, and look give us a call! forward to seeing you next IIIC’s Wellness team year! Stay healthy! would also like to sincerely Rachel and Siobhan, thank Carol Gaudreau of 617-542-7654, rreisman@ Cathedral Cares and the iiicenter.org/skelly@ BC School of Nursing for iiicenter.org. their wonderful partner- Follow us on Facebook: IIIC’s Case Manager, Siobhan Kelly, is joined by Carol Gaudreau of Cathedral Cares and nurses from ship with our recent free @IIICOutreachandWell- Boston College to host a free community flu shot clinic. flu clinic! We saw a great nessServices Irish student finds a home away from home in Boston When Paddy Clarke portunity that there was Paddy feared that his year at Queen’s. multiple games such as stepped off the plane at […] I was adamant that career choices would have There will be no home- the New England Revo- Logan Airport this year, I’d live here for a year.” been much more limited. sickness for Paddy, who lution, the Boston Celtics it was a dream come true. Determined to realize this The J-1 enables him to describes Boston as his and the Bruins. He loves Paddy hails from County dream, Paddy spent two “find a career path” and “home away from home” the great atmosphere and Derry and was about to years saving to be able to broaden his horizons: “In due to the city’s strong Boston’s “very passionate begin a year-long journey afford to move to Boston many ways you could say Irish heritage. His favor- sporting fans.” working in Boston. After on a J-1 visa. my work is almost pre- ite place to relax is Lo But he is able to keep spending a summer in A current Queen’s Uni- paring me better for final Presti Park, East Boston, up with his love of Gaelic America in 2016, he knew versity Belfast student in year than my previous two where there are “unparal- football here and says the J-1 Irish Work and mechanical engineering, years studying prepared leled views over the city” the most memorable part Travel visa was an op- Paddy knows the mean- me for work.” which he enjoys while of his J-1 experience has portunity not to be missed: ing of hard work and Paddy is currently an “shooting hoops and play- been “the network of “When I realized the op- dedication. He decided to assistant project man- ing soccer on the pitches.” friends I’ve built […] a lot take a year out of univer- ager for MG2 Group, an A keen sports fan, Pad- of which is down to join- Paddy enjoying all that sity to focus on his career investment property firm. dy has played Gaelic foot- ing Cork Boston Gaelic New England has to of- and understand what he He enjoys his position so ball in Ireland for twelve Football Club.” fer in the autumn on a wanted for the future. much he knows he now years. He couldn’t wait to recent hike. Without the experience wants to take manage- get involved in American of interning in America, ment courses in his final sports and has attended

Immigration Q&A Permanent residence through a marriage: right way, wrong way Q. I’m a US citizen who is engaged to be married to person had committed “visa fraud,” which, generally (2) Consular processing for an immigrant (perma- a man from Ireland. He is there now and we want to speaking, renders him ineligible for benefits such as nent resident) visa. With this option, you get married live in the US after we’re married. Can he just come permanent residence and indeed subjects him to re- abroad. Then you file a petition with USCIS and, again, here as a visitor on the 90-day visa waiver, get married, moval from the US and a bar to entering this country once it is granted the case is transferred to the US and apply for a green card? Or can we get married in from abroad in the future. State Department. Your future husband then files an Ireland, after which he comes to the US on the visa There, are however, two basic ways to get legal application for an immigrant visa, has an interview waiver and then files his application? permanent residence for your future husband without at the US Consulate, receives the visa, and travels A. Emphatically no in both cases. This is a funda- legal problems. In general terms, they are: to the US – only this time he enters with permanent mental mistake that is not at all obvious to people who (1) The fiancé visa. You, the US citizen, file a peti- residence already granted and no further applications don’t know the ins and outs of the relevant immigration tion with US Citizenship and Immigration Services need to be filed in the US. law, and it happens quite frequently. The problem is (USCIS) for your future husband. This process in- Which option is preferable for a particular couple that the visa waiver (as well as travel on most tempo- cludes providing proof that the two of you have met depends on the details of individual cases. You can rary visas) is granted on the basis of what the law calls personally during the last 2 years and intend to marry visit one of our weekly legal clinics as noted in this “non-immigrant intent,” that is, the person traveling in the US. Once USCIS grants the petition, the US edition for a free, confidential discussion of the options. honestly intends to stay in the US for no longer than State Department takes over the case. Ultimately Disclaimer: These articles are published to inform the period allowed by US Customs and Border Protec- your fiancé has an interview at the US Consulate in generally, not to advise in individual cases. Immigration tion at the port of entry. On the other hand, someone Dublin. He receives the visa and travels to the US, law is always subject to change. US Citizenship and entering with temporary permission but who actually after which he has 90 days to marry you. As soon as Immigration Services and the US Department of State intends to stay in the US – to apply for a green card the marriage has taken place, he can immediately file frequently amend regulations and alter processing and or for some other reason – has “immigrant intent.” So for permanent residence with USCIS and remain here filing procedures. For legal advice seek the assistance the immigration authorities would conclude that the while the application is being processed. of IIIC immigration legal staff.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE The Irish International Immigrant Center’s immi- gration attorneys and social workers are available at our weekly clinics for confidential, legal consultations, and case representation for all immigrants during this time of uncertainty and concern in our community. For information, or if you or anyone you know would like to speak to an immigration attorney, please call us at 617-542-7654. Upcoming Clinic Schedule (Clinics are in the evening – please do not arrive more than 30 minutes before your’s begins) Downtown Boston – IIIC, One State Street, 8th Floor, Boston – Tuesdays, Nov. 6 and 20 at 4 p.m; Brighton – The Green Briar Pub, 304 Washington Street – Mon., Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m.; Dorchester – St. Mark’s Parish, 1725 Dorchester Avenue – Wed.,. Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Citizenship Clinics – IIIC offices in Boston – Wednes- days from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. Walk-ins are welcome!

Our downtown Boston location is fully accessible by public transportation. Phone: 617-542-7654; Fax: 617-542-7655; iiicenter.org. bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 7

Congratulations to the 2018 Boston Irish Honorees

From left: Bob and Mary Scannell, and Helen, Henry, and Brian Danilecki. Bill Forry, Aidan Browne, Dr. Trevor McGill, Ed Forry.

From left: Bill Forry, Supt. Nora Baston, Deputy Supt. Gerard Bailey, Rev. Doc Conway, Commissioner William Gross, Capt. Jack Danilecki and Ed Forry.

The Boston Irish Reporter gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors:

Eire Society

Irish American Partnership Mike & Maureen Sheehan Page 8 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com The Boston Irish Honors 2018 for Distinguished Public Service Rev. Richard ‘Doc’ Conway, Shepherd of the Streets, man for others, sums up his life: ‘God was good to me’ By Jack Thomas Late one recent afternoon, while the rest of us were worried about the big things in life, like Kate Middleton’s net worth, Melania’s safari helmet, and whether A-Rod feels constrained by JLo, an elderly Roman Catholic priest named Fr. Richard Conway, or “Doc,” as everyone knows him, was doing what he often does, walking the streets of immigrant Dorchester, speaking in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and worrying about the small things in life, like whether Tony Barbosa would be deported, at age 30, to Cape Verde, a country he’s never seen, and whether Zamira, three, will sip booze from her great-grandfather’s plastic cup, and about the next tour Fr. Conway will lead for students of Boston College High School that will open their eyes to poverty, crime, and desperation in a part of Dorchester unknown on the hard-bitten streets of Hingham, Newton, and Wellesley. The Boston Irish Reporter is honoring Fr. Conway for his remarkable ministry in Dorchester as an indefatigable advocate for marginalized youths, and yet, that does not fully describe the six decades in which he has contributed to Greater Boston, and especially now, at age 80, what he is giving to the youth Nora Baston, now a superintendent in the Boston Police Department who heads up the new Bureau of of Dorchester, to the image of the Catholic Community Engagement, has long worked with Rev. Conway as they pursue an improved quality of Church, and to the heritage of Irish clergy. life on inner-city Boston’s streets. “Father Doc is being far too modest in saying that all he does is walk In nine years, Fr. Conway is the first person the streets,” said Baston in 2014. “There’s so much more to the daily life and charitable work of thistruly to offer not to receive the Boston Irish Honors remarkable human being.” Tom Kates Photography/Photography for BC High web site and publications. award. After recipients were notified, the in 1963, but it was not until 1980, after he government surplus in Taunton, but we needed Roman Catholic Church was rocked by news had served parishes in South Weymouth, an inexpensive way to move it, and I thought, of a sex scandal in Pennsylvania, and in an act Framingham, West Quincy, and Hyde Park, maybe a tractor-trailer.” of grace, Fr. Conway telephoned the publisher that he found his ministry to the poor at St. Driving a tractor-trailer is another lesson of the Boston Irish Reporter, Ed Forry, to say Patrick’s, Lowell, a parish suffocated by debt not taught at seminary, so Fr. Conway found a that if the newspaper wanted to withdraw the and challenged by rampant immigration, by an junkyard where he could practice on a 27-footer award, he would understand. impoverished congregation that had dwindled so decrepit the passenger seat was a folding His ministry in St. Peter Parish on from 5,500 to 2,000, and by financial credit chair. Because the truck would not qualify for a Meetinghouse Hill, St. Ambrose in Fields so weak the parish could no longer borrow sticker, the owner, an ex-cop, got in touch with Corner, and St. Teresa of Calcutta on money. Even the milkman was owed $2,000. a guy who finagled a sticker. Columbia Road, formerly St. Margaret’s, and Later, after serving in Newton, Concord, Alas, however, Fr. Conway flunked the especially his courageous walks through gritty Shirley, Randolph, Brockton, and Somerville, driving test. neighborhoods to encourage troubled youth, Fr. Conway was assigned to Dorchester, and in “The cop said, ‘I’d give you the license, Father, rather like a Shepherd of the Streets, he is a its focus on the poor and upon immigrants, the but my boss has been watching you knock reminder that when Jesus said to his disciples, Dorchester ministry is a bookend to his early over all these orange cones.’ So he sent me to “Follow Me,” what he may have had in mind work in Lowell, where he learned lessons not a guy in East Boston, and after a few lessons, I was Fr. Conway, or as Christ would have called taught at seminary. passed.” him, “Doc.” “In our Lowell parish most immigrants were He cannot be the first priest to have wondered ••• Southeast Asian, and they had nothing,” he whether seminary might have better prepared Richard Conway grew up in Roslindale, recalls in his office at St. Teresa. “They were a young priest to run a big parish by dropping graduated from Boston College High School sleeping on floors, and we hustled mattresses, one course in, say, the Pentateuch, and adding and St. John’s Seminary, and was ordained beds, any furniture. We had access to cheap a course in – plumbing. In Lowell, Fr. Conway said, “the equipment was old, but we had a plumbing-heating guy in the congregation who gave me lessons in using alligator clips, wired together, to jump- start the boiler and also in how to drain its water.” The seminary might have dropped that course in Liturgical Chants in favor of a class in conflict resolution, because parish priests run into conflicts every day. Fr. Conway’s docility camouflages a tenacity against anyone taking advantage of God’s churches, and here’s an example: In Newton, at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Fr. Conway was troubled by a parishioner who parked illegally every day in church lot, making it difficult to plow, so he left a note telling the man not to park there. “The guy said, ‘But I’m in the parish.’ I said, ‘Then, you get our report and know the average weekly contribution is $2?’ Yeah, he said, and so I told him, “You’re telling me that for two bucks a week, you want three priests, a heated church, and free parking in Newton? You gotta be crazy.’ Well, he hung up, but he never parked there again. I can be a son of a bitch.” Rev. Richard “Doc” Conway at home in St. Peter’s Church in Spring 2014. Tom Kates Photography bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 9 The Boston Irish Honors 2018

After assignment to Concord and then Shirley, Fr. Conway was assigned to St. Margaret’s in Brockton, home to so many Cape Verdeans that he enrolled in a course to study Portuguese. Another class not taught in seminary is how to handle inspectors who arrive on Friday to shut down a decrepit Brockton church. The conversation was brief. “You’re not closing this church,” said Fr. Conway. “Oh, yes we are. We’re going to put a notice on the door.” “I’ll take the notice down.” “We’ll chain the door.” “Then I’ll break the chain. We’ve got Mass on Sunday and a funeral Monday, and I’m gonna bury the guy out of this church.” Thanks to that defiance, Mass was celebrated Sunday and the funeral Monday, but eventually, the diocese closed the church rather than invest a million dollars in repairs. In the interim, and with approval of the diocese, Fr. Conway arranged for Roman Catholic Masses, weddings, and funerals, to be held at the neighboring Lutheran Church, an ecumenical collaboration unheard of at the time. Sitting on the sidewalk, Arthur Gerald, is dining on what he identifies as Chinese chicken, and sitting “When the closing of the parish was upon in his lap is his great granddaughter, Zamira Alexander, 3, who offers her plastic fork with a morsel of us, we had $2,000 in the bank, and the parish chicken to Fr. Conway. “No, you have it,” he says, and then whispers to Gerald, “Don’t let her drink any of that,” he says, pointing to plastic cup with alcohol. Boston Police photo council met for a regular meeting, then reassembled across the street at the Cape Cod with parishioners in an area that encompasses behind St. Peter, and we send word to shelters Café, where a decision was made to blow the half of Dorchester, Boston’s most diverse for people to take what they need.” money on a big parish picnic, which we did.” neighborhood (Pop. 124,000). Capt. Jack Danilecki, a night commander ••• “I fight with Boston College High School with the Boston Police who met Fr. Conway For Fr. Conway, the next stop was Dorchester, all the time. There’s a teacher who asks me to 12 years ago in Roxbury, describes him as an St. Ambrose, and needing to preach in Spanish, walk her kids around the parish. Nora Baston inspiration. he took lessons from a secretary. comes with me. She’s a superintendent with “A hot summer night, eight o’clock, and he’ll “The first time I preached in Spanish without the police. We walk Bowdoin Street, and I tell call to say we should walk the neighborhoods. notes, I was talking about the parable of the the students, ’I don’t’ know what you pay for I’d moan, ‘oh, c’mon, Doc,’ but I couldn’t say mustard seed, but I couldn’t remember the sports equipment, but kids here don’t have no. So he in his collar and me in uniform, we’d word for it. I shouted, ‘What’s the Spanish money for that. They struggle. They live in walk tense neighborhoods and he’d talk to kids word for mustard seed?’ Nobody understood, three-deckers, one parent, the threat of drugs bad to the core. Having Doc in my life makes so I gestured, ‘You know, the stuff you put on and a shooting on the streets every week, for me a better man.” a hot dog?’ And everybody yelled out, ‘Semilla crying out loud.” ••• de mostaza.’ “ “After one tour, I got a letter from a junior The tales Fr. Conway tells are not always At a time in America when enmity has at BC, Ryan Murray of Scituate, who said the flattering to clergy. displaced comity, Fr. Conway navigates the stories about drugs, gang violence, shootings, “In Hyde Park. I was with a priest who poor neighborhoods with the tact of Jesus, and and domestic violence had touched his heart. loved the horses. So, we get a call from the no one is more in awe of his skill than Boston’s “I highly admire your work of trying to bring State Police because they found this little black new commissioner of police, William G. Gross. the community together through block parties box at Suffolk Downs, the racetrack, on Good “Fr. Conway is one of my favorite people in the … because they aren’t blessed with the privacy Friday. ‘Yeah,’ the priest told the cops. ‘It’s my world. I met him after a controversial shooting of huge backyards like other people have.” Mass kit. After services, I thought I’d catch a near Uphams Corner. The neighborhood was ••• couple of races.’ “ upset, but when I saw him talking to kids, I liked “Rents for a two-bedroom start at $1,800. Fr. Conway is bold enough to disagree with his demeanor, his candor, and I thought, ‘Wow, How do these people survive? They depend the Vatican on controversial issues, like women here’s a priest who doesn’t hide behind the on extras. We run a food pantry twice a week. as priests. pulpit, but goes into homes of gang members We’ve got people coming out of a family “The church should operate like the missions. and speaks to Cape Verdeans in Portuguese, shelters, and they get into an apartment under My sister was in Peru as a nun, in prisons and and in his duty to God, he’s tenacious, a real Section 8. We went into one new apartment hospitals, and she told me that many priests bad ass.” and all they had in the kitchen was two pots, in missions have a “housekeeper,” and people After the nomadic years, Fr. Conway has one for beans, one for rice. don’t care. Women as priests? We could adjust.” settled into what may be his most productive “So we made a list: plates, glasses, bedding, Along with many priests, he was in the front ministry. Technically retired, he works a full a bathroom plunger, and sent it to parishes and lines of Boston history during the busing crisis. week, officiating at services and interacting said ‘Help us.” We collect the stuff in a garage As the only white person aboard a bus bearing (Continued on next page)

Once upon a time, Clan Conway gathered for the photographer. Page 10 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com The Boston Irish Honors 2018

In 1984 the Lowell Sun recounted the way Rev. Conway showed the managerial side to his ministry. black youngsters to school in South Boston, he and worship … ask God to be part of your heard the hateful language and heard the rocks marriage and family.” of bullying, and so the girl moves in with her pinging off the bus. “I felt so bad for those On an hour-long walk along littered grandmother in Charlestown. So I get her a kids, and for the cops, too, because people Bowdoin Street, he visits the usual commercial job with the city, and when she finishes her turned on them. enterprises, beauty parlors, fast food application, she asks me: ‘Will they take you At 11 o’clock Mass at St. Teresa, before a joints, popup “universal” churches behind if you’re pregnant?’ Well, she had twins. The magnificent altar of wood, stone, and marble, grated windows, and the occasional exotic father was a drug dealer. She was 15 years old.” where candles flickered and morning light establishment like Cesaria, where stewed goat • An older man interrupts the tuning of his shimmered through stained glass windows with yucca is served along with live Cape guitar, and grasps Fr. Conway’s hand, pressing onto sprays of Autumn flowers, Fr. Conway Verdean Creole music. it to his forehead, a Portuguese bid for blessing. delivered a brief homily on family life in Teenagers wave from across the street. • Fr. Conway leans down to a schoolgirl tapping words of comfort, neither condemnatory nor At Johnny’s, barbers leave customers in her cell phone. “Did your boyfriend text you demanding. the chairs and come to the door to greet Fr. back?” She looks up, suspiciously, then laughs. “The breakdown of family is probably the Conway. Sometimes he has to speak above “I ain’t got no boyfriend.” biggest problem in our society … In St. Peter flashy convertibles blasting cacophonous • “We had a shooting here, a guy was shot right Parish in 1945, there were 180 weddings. Caribbean music. through that door.” Last year there was one, and the year before, Here are highlights: • Sitting on the sidewalk, Arthur Gerald is dining none … the greatest support for marriage • “That house,” he said, pointing to a three- on what he identifies as Chinese chicken, and is dependence on God through prayer decker, “a girl accused her mother and stepfather sitting in his lap is his great granddaughter, Zamira Alexander, 3, who offers her plastic fork with a morsel of chicken to Fr. Conway. THE CONWAY FILE “No, you have it,” he says, and then whispers In his own words to Gerald, “Don’t let her drink any of that,” he • The nickname “Doc” comes from my says, pointing to plastic cup with alcohol. father’s vocation. Someone called me Richard Conway never had a second thought that in fifth grade and for some reason it about being a priest, but what else might he stuck. Neither of my two brothers who have done? became doctors ever had the nickname. “If I had been thrown out of seminary, a • My father’s family was from a small strong possibility, I would have taught political village in Galway. My mother’s family was science. Philosophically, I’m a Bill Buckley a mix of Welsh and Irish. My father grew Republican, and for president, I wrote in ‘Jesus up on Mission Hill and went to Mission Christ.’ “ Grammar School, in the same class as former Having survived triple-bypass surgery, he Massachusetts Gov. Maurice J. Tobin. jogs several times a week to keep his weight at • My father’s office started in the home 155, but at 80, the thought of death is never far at 950 South St. in Roslindale. After a few off, and he’s planned his funeral. kids in the house, my grandmother, and an “If I get shot, then my funeral will be at St. occasional relative from Ireland, the office Peter, with dinner at the teen center, and if I die was moved to Beacon St. in Brookline. When of natural causes, it’ll be at South Weymouth, he retired from active practice, he was an because they have a downstairs where you can assistant administrator at St. Elizabeth’s have dinner and an open bar. Hospital and we were living in Newton. “The music will be the “March of the Hebrew • The oldest, my sister Ellen – or Sister Slaves” from “Nabucco,” he says, humming Mary Pedro, SMSM, a Marist sister who spent a few bars. First reading is from the prophet most of her life in Lima, Peru, as a chaplain Micah, about walking with the Lord, and the at Lurigancho Prison, died in July 2016. I Gospel from Matthew, about separation of am second. I was ordained in 1963 with four sheep and goats. others from Holy Name parish. Third is Jim “For the program, most people use a (BCH ‘57), a retired urologist now living picture of themselves, but I’ve chosen a formal in Manchester, NH. He met his wife Ruth photograph of my parents, my siblings, and me, because, without family, where the hell are while both were serving in the military in Da ”Dickie” Conway with his parents Dr. James and Nang. They have six kids. Mary Conway of Roslindale after his First Com- you?” Next came Mary, a graduate of Emmanuel munion. Asked about the first paragraph of his (as was my mother). She taught school for a ophthalmologist in Rhode Island. Lectured obituary, which will sum up his life, he demurs while and then started her family - three kids. at Brown Medical and taught eye plastics from mentioning his many achievements. Then there is Michael, who retired from the at Tufts Medical. Unfortunately, he died “I would hope it acknowledges that God was phone company. A CM grad (we didn’t hold in 2013 with Alzheimer’s disease. He left good to me.” Jack Thomas was a reporter, editor, columnist, that against him), he never married. four children, one a BC grad who became a and ombudsman during a 40-year career at the The youngest is Steve (BCH 65). He was an pediatrician. Boston Globe. bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 11 The Boston Irish Honors 2018 Exemplary Boston Irish Family Bob and Mary Scannell: Power couple who empower Dorchester’s kids and teenagers By Bill Forry Boston is a city blessed with a cadre of “power couples” who combine talents to lead us in business, media, and philanthropic endeavors and even in our sports franchises. Then there are couples who are powerful because they empower others. They take on the mission of uplifting whole communities and the young people on whom our collective future rests. Bob Scannell and Mary Kinsella glide easily between these two definitions. But they are most at home in Dorchester, the neighborhood to which they have devoted their working lives since the late 1980s. The Scannells have built their Boys and Girls Club campus into a sanctuary and a springboard— launching countless careers, saving scores, perhaps hundreds, from often unforgiving streets, and acting as surrogate parents to three generations – and counting – of Bostonians. Meanwhile, they managed to raise their own family, a trio of children — Olivia, 23, Bobby, 21, and Julia, 18— who are their pride and joy. Together, they are a “force of nature,” says Lee Kennedy, one of the region’s leading builders, who himself has devoted many years to Dorchester as the club’s board chairman. “I have known Bob and Mary for more than 25 years and there are no more thoughtful, selfless, and tireless people in our community,” said Kennedy. “We consider ourselves very blessed at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester to have their daily care and leadership.” ••• Bob and Mary Scannell are a “force of nature,” says Lee Kennedy, the board chairman of the Boys and Bob Scannell arrived on Deer Street in Girls Clubs of Dorchester. The couple have devoted 30 years— and counting— of their lives to the kids, Dorchester in 1988. He was fresh out of teens, and families of Dorchester. Below: The Scannell clan includes Bob and Mary’s children, from left, Julia, 18 ,Olivia, 23, and Bobby, 21. Suffolk University, by way of BC High, which Scannell family photos would one day honor him with its highest alumni honor, the Ignatian Medal. The Scannell family, led by Robert Sr. and his wife Gerry, were Mission Hill, second-generation Americans with roots in County Cork. Bob and his siblings spent their formative years in Brockton and Milton. He didn’t expect to stay too long in Dorchester. “I figured I’d spend a couple of years here. I always wanted to run a business and work with kids,” Scannell said. “I figured I’d spend two years, you know, kind of learn the ropes. Get something and move on. It just didn’t work out that way, you know. But I’ve enjoyed it from Day One.” Mary, fresh out of college herself, joined the staff in 1989. Bob met her as the sister of his best friend, Richard ‘Dick’ Kinsella. A romance soon blossomed, much to the delight of Bob’s older sister, Susan Young, who recalls that Mary Kinsella was— and is— “a knockout.” The two married in 1992. The club— as everyone calls it in-house— was then known more broadly as the Marr Club, a nod to the Marr family and, specifically, Colonel Daniel Marr, whose generosity and vision led to a clubhouse on what was once a House] in a conference room with some key Safe Summer Streets — a emergency response forlorn lot off of Savin Hill Avenue. staff and the board and we said, ‘We’ve got to an acute problem— kicked off a period of When Bob Scannell took charge, he had to do something,’” Bob recalled. “‘We can’t steady growth at the club as Bob and Mary no idea that the city was about to plunge close at 5 p.m. We’ve got to stay open for the and their team identified needs and met them. into some of its most violent and turbulent teens.’ Those were the dire times. There was The kids were showing up hungry and days. Crack cocaine, intense poverty, cheap no money. And the casualties were stacking staying hungry, so a meals program was guns, and a gang culture conspired to up. One hundred-and-fifty-three murders. My developed and implemented. The teens make some streets within a mile of the club God, it’s startling to think back to that. But, we needed their own space. The club hustled to treacherous, especially for kids and teens. In did that with no resources. We found a way.” raise new dollars, secure land, and build the 1990, 153people— many of them club-aged The way was Safe Summer Streets— an all- Paul R. McLaughlin Teen Center facing out teenagers from Dorchester— were killed on encompassing, on-site summer camp that ran onto Dorchester Ave. Child care and early Boston’s streets. for 14 hours each day. Kids and teens flocked childhood education— a particular focus As the violence churned and summer into the clubhouse early in the morning and of Mary Kinsella Scannell— expanded and loomed, the club — led by Bob Scannell and stayed late, many of them getting a ride home perfected its model. board members like Maureen Peterson— from staff members after-hours because the The base membership cost per child per year sprang into action. streets were too hot. has stayed the same since Bob’s tenure began: “We sat over at the Phillip’s [Old Colony The year 1990 was a turning point because (Continued on next page) Page 12 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com

The Boston Irish Honors 2018

$5 a year. There’s no other deal like it in the city. “The money should never be a barrier for the opportunities like the type we offer here,” he explains. “That will never happen. That’s why we fund raise. That’s the bill. Families don’t need to come up with that money.” Like the community it serves, not all of the club’s families are impoverished. In fact, the diversity of children and teens— both ethnically and economically— is what makes it special, says Mary. Parents who are struggling with finances or any kind of adversity— and their kids— are able to model behavior on other families who are in a better place at that moment. It’s a form of community building that defies some of the pre-set expectations of a youth center in a place like Dorchester. “It’s very diverse on all levels,” she says. “It’s not just like the poorest of the poor, you know? So often funders try to make us fit into this box where we only do this, we only serve this. And what makes our programs different and Longtime Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester board member and former board chair Maureen Peterson, enriched are the people.” Amy Koch, and Mary Kinsella Scannell at the BGCD’s annual Grand Drawing gala in 2016. Flavio DeBarros photo “It’s never the same day,” she says. “Like when we go to Disney World [an annual trip who is a close friend, in a 2011 Reporter as Mayor Walsh’s that has been ongoing thanks to the generosity interview. “People say to him, ‘Bob, why don’t mom Mary— and of Don Rodman of Rodman Ford since 1992] you take this— you’ve got three kids of your followed a familiar every year. It’s never the same because you get own to put through school.’ He always says migration pattern to to see it through the eyes of a child who has the same thing: ‘Who’s going to take care of many in this room. never left Boston.” the kids?’” Mary Kinsella Part of that diversity is now inclusive of Scannell puts it this way: “I’ve been offered remembers her mom’s children and teens with physical or mental opportunities to do things in this field or father— Patrick Nee— disabilities— a cohort of city youth that was, something totally different.” Mary, he says, is as an animal lover for many years, forgotten or sectioned off. also in high demand. from his days tending With partners like Brendan McDonough and Why have they stayed? “It’s the community, sheep along the Wild the Martin Richard Foundation— which now it’s the community as a whole. I think just Atlantic Way. He was to be here for 32 years in Dorchester. What a also a jack-of-all- funds a special inclusive league based at the Katherine “Betty” club called ‘Challenger’ — these kids can learn privilege, you know? I feel honored to be part trades who could “fix (Nee) Kinsella to play baseball, basketball, and other sports, of the strongest community I’ve ever been anything” and loved using a buddy-system that engages other club involved with. The people are amazing and to go to wrestling matches at the old Boston members. the other organizations in town are amazing. Garden. “We are big admirers of Mary and Bob Everyone comes together to get things done “My mother would tell us how my grandpa Scannell,” said Bill and Denise Richard. “Mary and provide a good network for the families. Pat would go for a job and, you know, sometimes and Bob’s efforts improve the quality of life for “But it’s the kids. I’ve just had so many they’d say ‘Irish need not apply,’ that whole all of us here in Dorchester. They continue to thousands of kids that I’ve met and they were thing. But, if they needed a plumber, you’d be be that steady influence for families in need, awesome. And they’re friends, you know, like, ‘I’m a plumber!’ So, he could kind of do a and with an eye to the future for other ways friends. Whether they’re three years old or lot of things. He was very handy.” they can help. We can’t wait to see what’s in some of them, they’re 47 or 48 now.” “My mother and her sisters grew up in South store next!” The impact of their work has touched lives Boston and they said that there was always The nature of their work has kept the outside of Dorchester, too. somebody visiting on the couch and there Scannells grounded in more ways than one. As Lee Kennedy noted: “When the was always a relative coming through and Bob, for instance, has never been to Ireland, Brockton Boys & Girls Club was experiencing always kind of an open door,” says Kinsella. his ancestral homeland, despite repeated near catastrophic challenges, the national “My grandfather, I just remember him as invitations from his brother Billy, who travels organization called Bob to ask for his help in being just very quiet and just so kind. He met there frequently on business in his role as an saving that Club. Bob and Mary didn’t think my grandmother here, even though they both executive for Dell Technologies. They keep twice, they were all in, and over the course came from Ireland. They both came through travel relatively light. Much of their world, of 18 months had fully repaired the Brockton Ellis Island.” their clocks, revolves around the half-block operation from absolute despair to success. Mary Nee, Mary Kinsella’s second cousin, radius of the club’s campus— and a satellite Today, Brockton is forever grateful to Bob recalls that the South Boston family clustered clubhouse on Columbia Point, where a smaller and Mary for literally saving their Club,” said close to one another as they gained a collective footprint facility serves kids and teens from Kennedy.” toe-hold in the United States, gathering every the Harbor Point community. Mary has mobilized other early education Sunday in a first-floor flat on West Fifth Street, That’s not to say their skill sets have escaped providers across the region to press lawmakers where Mary Nee’s family lived. notice—and offers. Both Scannells have for policy reforms— taking best practices from “They were Gaelic speakers,” recalls Nee. declined multiple offers to take on lucrative her 30-year career at the club and bringing “Everyone convened and would eat something executive positions. them to the fore. She’s a passionate advocate boiled and then they would go into the parlor Olivia Scannell, Bob and Mary’s eldest for the largely female educators who work in and the men would smoke their pipes. It was daughter who now works part-time at the club the field— and for the idea that they should be just a very, very tight-knit family.” as a teacher herself, recalls growing up wishing well paid. Betty Nee and her three sisters— Mae, her parents worked at a “real business” so she “Mary is a rock star when it comes to Helen, and Margie— “were, and are, strikingly and her siblings “could live like many of my childcare and is highly regarded here and beautiful women,” just like their mom, says friends” in Milton, where the family has its abroad,” says Kennedy. “The infant and Mary Nee. Betty met and married Richard home. childcare programs that she has built at our Kinsella, a Boston-born Irish-American whose “I especially remember wanting to travel Club are internationally recognized for their own roots were in Tipperary and Cork. Richard like my friends during the holidays. Instead innovation and outcomes.” Kinsella was the warden at Deer Island prison we spent the days leading up to Christmas Roots in Ireland and Mary Kinsella spent several years of her gathering gifts from the various toy drives That passion for teaching— and for caring for childhood living next door in the warden’s stored in our basement. I remember being people— definitely trace back to Mary’s mom, residence. She remembers the waters of Boston embarrassed that our basement looked like Katherine ‘Betty’ (Nee) Kinsella, who died in Harbor washing up under the home during “Toys R Us” had thrown up in it,” Olivia wrote 2016. Her mother’s wise counsel— “Be good storms and the sirens from prison breaks. in a college essay. to everyone”— was a family edict, learned Her dad— who was in recovery and sober “There’s companies out there that have from her own Galway-born parents, Patrick 40 years before his death in the 1980s— offered [Bob] huge sums of money — and and Mary Nee, who emigrated to South Boston entertained select prisoners in their home. that’s happened multiple times,” said Kevin from the coast of Connemara around 1921. The Despite a reputation as a tough disciplinarian, Chapman, the actor and BGCD board member Nees originated in Rosmuc— the same village Richard V. Kinsella “had a soft spot,” his bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 13

The Boston Irish Honors 2018

Bobby, Julia— are the most wonderful kids,” The things that make the says their aunt Susan. BGCD programs different Olivia is following in her mom’s footsteps— working as an early childhood teacher at the By Mary Kinsella club. Bobby is a senior at Boston College. People ask me all the time: “What makes Julia, 18, just started her freshman year at St. your programs different from others?” After Anselm’s College, where she is a standout 30 years of experience, I can easily rattle off hockey player, much to the delight of her dad, the research based on policy related reasons, who is in the stands without fail. but recently I began to reflect more about my The mission continues response to this question. There is no end in sight to the impressive What is it exactly? We are not perfect. But Mayor Martin J. Walsh addressed the crowd at the growth at the Boys and Girls Club’s campus we do seem to do things differently and often in Dorchester. When Bob Scannell took charge more successfully than other youth agencies. Boys and Girls Clubs Grand Drawing in 2016. Flavio DeBarros photo in 1988, the organization— with its single I began to think that maybe it’s not what we clubhouse on Deer Street— had an annual do. It’s more about who is doing it and how learning will keep kids interested and engaged. The magical journey of learning operating budget of $300,000. It has now we do it. We all want the best for these kids; surpassed $5 million— a figure that counts we want them to have stable homes, caring begins for our children as early as two months old. We all know that early education on generous donors and foundation grants to families, and food on the table. We also realize subsidize its programming and operational that we cannot always control these outside experiences cast a lifelong shadow, especially for the most at risk and vulnerable children. costs. factors, so we focus on what we can offer “Every year is hard,” Scannell says of raising to provide them with access to the best and We have created a highly recognized program so that our kids are not starting out laps the funds. “We get it done every year, but it’s a most enriching opportunities for learning, real challenge. But when people come here and programs that build resiliency, and support behind their peers. We believe education is as much about see what’s happening, they’re sold.” children of all abilities and their families. The Scannells— and their board— will need We hire great staff. They are caring and human aspiration and relationships, self- respect, and the capacity to continuously to do much more selling in the months and committed. I believe we have the absolute years to come. There are early plans now for best staff around. They teach me as I work reinvent ourselves and our society as it is about academics. Increasing the margins of a new, modern facility to replace the original alongside them every day. The relationships building on Deer Street, a two-story brick and we develop are, I believe, the single most how, when, and where we nurture and teach our children becomes expected. cement fortress-like structure that opened important part of the work we do and our in 1974. Another conceptual plan – to build staff are approachable, intelligent, responsive, Overall, we strive for long-term youth engagement, experiential education a field house in conjunction with the Martin honest, and fair. Richard Foundation in another part of the We have created an inclusive and diverse programming with a focus on overcoming challenges, and goal setting with a focus on neighborhood – is also on the drawing board. model that goes far beyond gender, ethnicity, and Together, the two projects could necessitate socio-economic backgrounds. It encompasses planning. We measure accomplishments in various ways, but know that we have achieved $40 million in capital funds to build and then every possible combination of people and create a sustainable operating budget. places, circumstances, and values. success when our members are involved and connected members of their community. “It’s a huge undertaking,” says Bob Scannell, We believe that instilling joy and fun into who noted that his board— an all-volunteer Bob Scannell is shown outfit led by Kennedy and peppered with in 2012 with two club names like Wahlberg and Walsh and Marr and members, Precious Brodigan— continues to impress him with Ruiz, left, and Damaris their devotion to the cause. Joe D’Arrigo, he Nova. As Bob stood notes, has been serving since the 1970s. chatting with parents “Whenever we decide around this table that in the lobby of the we need to start a new program— and there McLaughlin Center, the two pre-teen girls ap- are often three new, significant programs proached bearing hand- every year—the board just says: ‘Okay, we’ve made signs singing the gotta do this, let’s do it. We’ll find a way.’ And praises of their friend they’re in our corner. Bob. Nothing fancy, “A lot of organizations, I don’t think operate just two more grateful like that, you know? The CEO probably doesn’t kids who know that make a lot of headway with boards when they with Bob, as Damaris’s want to do new and different things. We don’t card read: It’s ‘Love all the time.’ have that issue. They literally inspire us, they Bill Forry photo inspire me. I get a lot of motivation from them. They’re just volunteers out there who care. I get to see what they do and what they put in to make this place work,” says Scannell. “Mary and I, as a team, are so blessed to be surrounded by so many people who are committed to our vision and our mission and we’re lucky to have so many people support (Continued from page 8) who served in the missions in Brazil and us. daughter recalls, along with two degrees from eventually became pastor at Roxbury’s Mission Boston College. “It doesn’t make it easy, but it makes… it Church. Robert started down his own path to makes everything work.” “Sometimes, he would have guests in from the priesthood and lasted about six months in the prison and I would put it on like my Tutu the seminary, before he decided— according to and tap dance for them. These men— they his daughter Susan— to pursue Gerry, his high missed their families so much. So my parents school sweetheart, instead. The couple were definitely came from that social work side.” married on May 4, 1957 at Mission Church. The Kinsellas eventually moved off Deer The couple raised five children —Susan, Island and Mary and her siblings— Richard, Bobby, Billy, Laurie, and Kevin, who have Jr., Michael, and Katie— were raised in Milton stayed tight, and, like Bob, have settled into alongside many of her cousins. long, stable careers and settled in suburban After her dad died, Mary’s mom became Massachusetts with their families. a fixture at the Boys and Girls Club, staffing Susan (Scannell) Young, the eldest sibling, the front desk and getting to know each child, remembers Bobby as a quiet boy who “wouldn’t each family by name. “She admired all the staff tell you if your coat was on fire.” He attended here and she definitely admired Bob. She was a St. Agatha’s grammar school in Milton from giving spirit,” recalls Mary. grade five until he went to BC High, where he Bob Scannell’s family roots stretch back to was devoted to the Jesuit credo — “Men for Killorgin in County Kerry, but the connections Others.” “back home” are not as strong. Susan— and the whole clan— marvel at the His father— Robert Scannell Sr.— had three family that Bob and Mary have managed to brothers and one sister enter religious life– all raise while nurturing so many other children Redemptorists, including Rev. Joseph Scannell, from the city. “Those three kids— Olivia, Break time, Guinness style, for the Scannells. Page 14 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com The Boston Irish Honors 2018 Distinguished Career in Medicine Dr. Trevor McGill matches trailblazing surgical skills to a deep sense of compassion and a sense of community By Peter F. Stevens of my career,” he says. “My hours have BIR Staff always been long, and even from the start By any measure, Dr. Trevor McGill embodies of our marriage in 1971, I was often gone to the quintessential immigrant success story. the hospital from Friday to Monday. She did He devoted his life and professional career to a wonderful job of raising our son, Trevor, helping children with major ENT (Ear, Nose, Jr. He’s successful in the finance field, and we and Throat) issues through his surgical and have three beautiful granddaughters “ages research skills. He did so at Boston Children’s five to eleven” – Maddie, 11; Lily, 9; and Hospital for some four decades, garnering Regan, 5. We’re truly blessed.” international standing as a pioneer in the Boston Bound field of pediatric surgery and as a professor “After Liverpool,” Dr. McGill says, “I of otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School. wanted research experience and got the To his colleagues and his patients, though, his chance through a NIH (National Institute of kindness and caring shared equal footing with Health) scholarship to do that at Mass Eye & his medical expertise and accomplishments. Ear. Dr. Schuknecht asked me in the spring of Those accomplishments are legion. During 1976 to fill a full-time position at Children’s his years at Children’s, Dr. McGill devoted his Hospital, and I accepted. Actually, my original prodigious skills to the treatment of children plan was to head home to Ireland after Mass needing ENT attention, which includes Eye & Ear. But there were no pediatric ENT patients with head and neck tumors and positions available in Ireland. vascular anomalies. He played a pivotal role Ireland’s loss proved to be Boston – and in developing his unit to its current status as beyond’s – gain. one of the premier pediatric units in the world. Dr. McGill continues: “From my very start With his reputation, the 74-year-old Dr. at Children’s, it has been eye-opening. It’s so McGill, who retired from his clinical practice wonderful a place. We’ve treated patients at Children’s in November 2016 but remains from all over the globe, and there’s little that’s on the staff, is a much-sought-after lecturer more rewarding than helping children. at universities across the globe. He has “Angela and I initially lived in an apartment published more than 150 peer-reviewed in Brookline—it was right behind the old papers and chapters and has edited three Village Coach House. Today, we live in textbooks in pediatric otolaryngology. He has Wellesley.” received an honorary degree from Harvard At Children’s, he met a fellow Irishman and University and an honorary doctorate from physician with whom he established one of University College Dublin. his most important professional and personal To his colleagues, associates, family, friends, relationships. Dr. Gerry Healy arrived at patients, and their families, Dr. McGill is Children’s a little after Dr. McGill to guide known for something else—his boundless Boston University otolaryngology residents empathy, kindness, and caring. through their rotations. Dr. McGill, at roughly Deep Roots in the “Old Sod” the same time, was doing the same for residents Trevor McGill was born in the village from Harvard Medical School. At that time, of Kells, Co. Meath, some 40 miles northwest Children’s Otolaryngology Department was of Dublin, the second youngest of Jack and small, with just Drs. McGill and Healy, two Kathleen McGill’s seven children. Jack McGill residents, and a part-time administrative was the town postmaster, and Kathleen ran a assistant. By 2015, the department had grown hairdressing salon. to 16 surgeons, 4 fellows, and 3 residents, The parents always stressed the importance with a staff of some 180. The two Irishmen had been instrumental in building Children’s of education to their children. “When I was Trevor McGill MD after graduating from University nine or ten,” Trevor McGill recalls, “my Pediatric ENT program into one of the world’s foremost pediatric facilities. College Dublin Medical School as his parents Kath- mother told me that ‘the only way out of this leen and Jack McGill proudly look on. village is education. Otherwise, you might Dr. McGill credits Dr. Healy, who retired in find yourself sleeping in the streets.’” 2009, for beginning the hospital’s Fellowship Her admonition took root with her Program in 1978, and under their guidance, children. Five, including Trevor, headed to the program became world-class, training medical school. His early education came more than 400 residents and 74 fellows. Some from the Christian Brothers, and at age eleven have, like their mentors Drs. McGill and he went off to Presentation College, a Catholic Healy, become some of the world’s foremost secondary school established in Bray, Co. men and women in pediatric otolaryngology. Wicklow, in 1921. There, in his teens, he met Dr. McGill gained renown for his innovation a local young woman named Angela Scruggs in the treatment and care of children suffering who, over time, became a very special person from head and neck tumors, hemangiomas in his life (benign tumors of blood vessels often forming At seventeen, Dr. McGill was off to University a pronounced red birthmark), and vascular College Dublin Medical School, interning in malformations. During the 1980s, Dr. McGill, surgical training at a local hospital. Angela, Dr. Healy, and their team led the way to the meanwhile, made her way to a job in Montreal reintroduction of surgery as the preferred Wedding Day for Trevor and Angela McGill in 1971. with Air Canada. treatment for children’s head and neck A Lad in Liverpool From UCD, Dr. McGill went to England to continue his education in otolaryngology. He trained first at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in Golden Square, in London, and then at the Myrtle Street Hospital, in Liverpool. In 2015, he told Patrick Bradley (ENT & Audiology News), “Those four and a half years were some of the happiest times of my life.” He counts his time there at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital as a key period in his medical development. In Liverpool, his life took another key, and welcome, turn. Angela joined him there, and as the adage goes, the rest was history. “Angela has always been so supportive The McGills: Angela, Trevor, Trevor Jr. and his spouse Shannon. bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 15

The Boston Irish Honors 2018

sarcomas, and to the use of laser “A Good Walk” technology, and numerous other Savored—not “Spoiled” procedures and protocols. Dr. McGill’s passion for the As Dr. McGill’s reputation “Blessed Malady”— golf ­ — spread globally, he has struck him at an early age in continued to lecture on pediatric Meath, eventually claiming his otolaryngology at national and entire family. “We had a family international forums. He has membership at Kells Golf Club served as co-editor of three – ten pounds a year for dues,” textbooks in his field of practice. he says. “As my medical studies “My work in helping further took over my life, I didn’t play Children’s well-deserved global as much. I got serious about the reputation for excellence and game again in my early 40s. Today innovation is truly gratifying,” I’m a member locally at Brae Burn he says. “It’s all been a wonderful and in Ireland at Portmarnock experience there from day one. I and Ballybunion. At one point, I have had surgical opportunities at was a 12 handicap.” Children’s that I could only have Aidan Browne and Gerry dreamed of anywhere else. Chief Healy share Dr. McGill’s love among them was my exposure to of the links, and the Children’s complex ENT problems.” physicians parlayed their Dr. McGill has performed “malady” into a long-running golf surgeries all over the world, competition with fellow pediatric Says his friend Aidan Browne, members of the Saudi royal family otolaryngologists at the Children’s right, of Trevor McGill: “He has and desperately poor kids alike. Hospital of Philadelphia. Drs. truly touched so many lives of McGill and Healy also organized patients and doctors, and he is Paving the Way first and always a friend to so for Fellow Ex-Pats many golfing junkets to Ireland many, generous and kind. He is so Aidan F. Browne, an attorney and other countries with their dedicated to patients and to anyone and partner at the Boston law firm colleagues. To the writer Patrick underprivileged and in need.” Sullivan & Worcester LLP and a Buckley, Dr. McGill affirmed that Above, Dr. McGill in earlier days friend of Dr. McGill since 1987,will while golf is a “very humbling making a point to his class at introduce him at the Boston Irish and frustrating game…I would Harvard Medical School. Honors Award luncheon. As highly recommend it not only Browne tells it, he is a beneficiary to surgeons, but to anyone who of Dr. McGill’s commitment to enjoys “a good walk spoiled.” helping fellow UCD graduates. Dr. McGill is also a huge rugby “Trevor is affable, to say the least, and hurling fan. “You’ll often find without the self-importance that us together at a pub carrying the so many others have, and he has matches,” Browne says with a done so much for Irish men and laugh. “Trevor and I both enjoy The self-styled “Irish women like myself, not just in a pint of Guinness—we’re happy Otolaryngology Mafia” Boston, but all over. I met him in to travel just about anywhere for at Children’s Hospital: 1987, when the president of UCD that!” From left, Dr. Paul suggested I contact him to help From Those Who Know Lennon, Dr. McGill, establish an alumni group for “Trevor is the most Dr. Karen Watters, UCD ex-pats. I did business at unassuming person despite his and Dr. Stephen Kieran. Dr. McGill UCD and later went into the law. achievements,” Browne says. worked to establish He not only became engaged to “He has a phenomenal sense of a bond between help UCD grads locally, but also humor. He has truly touched Children’s and the all across the US.” so many lives of patients and Irish Otolaryngology Dr. McGill had always kept doctors, and he is first and always Training Program in touch with UCD Medical a friend to so many, generous and whereby for six months School and was the president kind. What stands out the most— annually, a doctor from of the University College ask any of his patients or fellow Ireland rotates through Medical Graduate Association doctors—is his empathy. Trevor his department. of North America from 1996 to is so dedicated to patients and to 1998. In 2001 he was honored anyone underprivileged and in as the UCD Medical Alumnus need. family man,” Dr. Karen Watters of the Year. Drawing on his “Trevor Jr. threw Trevor a huge told ENT & Audiology News. and unfortunately funerals. Most own background, he worked to fete when his father retired. There Adds Browne, “for me, the of the time, I get in lots of golf. establish a bond between Boston were over 300 in attendance.” Boston Irish Honors Award to “After four decades in the Children’s Hospital and the Dr. Gerry Healy, in the ENT & Trevor is so fitting. He has always Boston area, I’m lucky and Irish Otolaryngology Training Audiology New (Jan. 2015), said been one of my closest friends blessed to be among such a cadre Program. For six months annually, of his close friend and associate: and supporters. I’ve benefited of Irish people here. The sincerity an doctor from Ireland rotates “My admiration for him as a greatly from his generosity and of the Irish community in Boston throughout the department at doctor, teacher, and friend is kindness. By association with is special. I’m deeply proud to be Children’s. boundless. His love of family and him, you get some of his status associated with those who have Because of Dr. McGill’s geniality, ability to tell great stories are in and more importantly his deep been leaders and humanitarians Aidan Browne suggests, “For a the finest tradition of his Irish empathy. That’s the legacy he’s in every field—medicine, law, long time, I didn’t grasp the full culture.” given me, and I know he has done politics, business, and so many extent of his medical reputation. The importance of balancing the same for so many others. His others. He has written a definitive ENT family with a demanding practice empathy is not just what makes “I’m very proud to be an Irish tome that’s like his field’s Book has always been paramount to him an incredible doctor, but American. It’s a true privilege of Kells. He has been incredibly Trevor and Angela McGill. He it’s is also what makes him an to be awarded the Boston Irish helpful to doctors all over the US asserts that family vacations incredible human being. It’s a Honors Award, and none of and has sponsored many from and holidays spent golfing and knack. It’s simply who Trevor this would have been possible Ireland, including Dr. Karen visiting relatives and friends is. It’s the craic with him—his without Children’s Hospital.” Watters at Children’s Hospital. in Ireland, trips to Europe and joy and love of laughter and of As to his “home” of 40 years, Dr. She’s a Dubliner.” elsewhere, and the family’s people, the great and the small.” McGill is now engaged in writing According to Browne, “there passion for skiing helped One Foot in the States, a history of the Otolaryncology have been only two Irish doctors maintain that balance between the Other on the “Old Sod” Department at Children’s. who have become full professors career and home. Dr. Trevor is truly a man of two Dr. Trevor McGill, proud Irish at Harvard. When Trevor was “He is the rare individual who nations. “I get back to Ireland American, truly embodies the named, it was a big affair at has found the ‘perfect’ balance several times a year,” he says. credo that “patients don’t care Harvard, and a big deal in between being a full-time “Last year I went over five times. how much you know unless Ireland.” academic clinician and a devoted Much of the visits are family they know how much you care.” things, weddings, anniversaries, Page 16 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com

1. 2.

4.

3.

7.

8.

5. 6.

11. BRETT’S BOSTON By Harry Brett Exclusive photos of Boston Irish people & events

More than 300 persons came together Oc- 9. 10. tober 18 for the ninth annual Boston Irish Honors luncheon hosted by the Boston Irish Reporter at the Seaport Hotel. First published in 1990, the newspaper celebrated its 28th anniversary at the gala event.

1.) Jim O’Brien, Lowell; Paul Doyle, Weymouth; Joe Sullivan, Mayor of Braintree; 2.) Fr. Jack Ahern, St. Gregory Parish, Dorchester; Ann Murphy, Roslindale; BPD Supt. Nora Baston; 3.) Craig Carlson, Martina Carlson, Boston; Clodagh Boyle, Quincy; Natalie Metz, Brookline; Mary Sugrue, Norwood; 4.) Jim Foley, Hingham, Rich Gribaudo, W. Roxbury; 5.) BPD Commissioner William Gross; Lou Pasquale, Braintree; 6.) Kath- ryn Magnoli, Charlestown; Cheryl Shaughnessy, Dorchester; 7.) Rev. Tom Kennedy, Brookline; Della Costello, Dorchester; 8.) Greg Feeney, Canton; Matt Feeney, Charlestown; 9.) Jim and Robin Hunt, Dorchester; Stephen O’Neill, Andover; 10.) Jill Broune, So. Boston; Angela McGill, Wellesley; 11.) Roger and Barbara Croke, Dorchester; 12.) Burt Abel, Norwood; Dan Grady, Westwood; Ralf Adolfsson, Sudbury; Dr. Trevor McGill, Wellesley; Mike Paquin, Framingham; Paddy Grace, Somerville. 12. bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 17

Arts & Entertainment

BCM Fest: Workshops by headliners BCMFest (Boston Celtic Music Fest) Shetland Islands, which has a distinc- will feature renowned fiddlers Liz Car- tive fiddle tradition. He was a founding roll from Chicago and Scotland’s Kevin member of the acclaimed Shetland group Henderson when it takes place for the Fiddler’s Bid and, more recently, the 16th year from Jan. 17 to Jan.20. The two Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. Henderson has will perform at the BCMFest Nightcap served as a faculty member of the Bos- concert on Jan. 19, and hold workshops ton Harbor Scottish Fiddle School, and on the festival’s final day. performed with the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc While the presence of Carroll and at “Christmas Celtic Sojourn.” Henderson as headliners represents a BCMFest organizers say the idea to new direction for the Harvard Square- invite Carroll and Henderson builds on based all-ages festival, organizers say some innovations and changes of the past BCMFest will continue its longstanding few years, such as expanding the festi- mission of showcasing the Greater Bos- val’s Friday night/Saturday footprint and ton area’s rich trove of music, song and adding The Sinclair as a venue, to help dance from Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton both broaden and strengthen BCMFest’s and other related traditions. community-oriented focus. The 2019 BCMFest lineup shows “We asked ourselves ‘What else can a diversity of sounds in Celtic music, we do to support this incredibly rich whether strongly rooted in traditional music community? How can we make styles or reflecting contemporary influ- BCMFest not only an opportunity to ences and perspectives. Among the other share and showcase local music but acts confirmed to appear are: Laurel also to inspire our local community?’” Martin with Mark Roberts and Jim explains BCMFest co-founder Laura Prendergast; Katie McNally and Yann Cortese. “We reached out for input and Falquet; Joey Abarta; The Bywater Liz Carrolland Kevin Henderson will play their fiddles and hold workshops critique, considered a lot of options, and Band; Scottish Fish; Rakish; Pumpkin at the BCM Fest in January. Henderson photo by Sophie Bech decided to make a few changes. So for Bread; Kieran Jordan; The Fens; Yann the first time ever, we are inviting two Falquet and Friends; Adam Agee and lowed by a late-night “Festival Club” Carroll is one of the most influential ‘mentors’ whom the community feels a Jon Souza; Fade Blue; Boys on the Hill- — and a marathon “Dayfest” on Jan. Irish fiddle players of her generation, strong connection to – musicians who, top; Michael O’Leary with Bob and Jen 19; performances also will take place with five solo albums to her credit and though not from Boston, have contrib- Strom; Elizabeth and Ben Anderson; that day 19 at The Sinclair (52 Church eight others in collaboration, including uted to our scene in a lasting way. We Wooden Nickels; Cape Breton Showcase; St.) including BCMFest Nightcap, the two with guitarist John Doyle — one of expect this vibrant exchange of music Yaniv Yacoby and Eric Boodman; Col- festival’s traditional closing event. Also which, “Double Play,” was nominated and ideas to make a lasting impression.” leen White and Sean Smith; Molly Pinto on the schedule is BCMFest’s perennially for a Grammy Award. A past recipient BCMFest is a program of Passim, Madigan; Celtic Roots; Leland Martin; popular Celtic dance party, The Boston of the National Endowment for the Arts a Cambridge-based non-profit that Hornpipalooza; and Live at The Druid. Urban Ceilidh, on Friday night, (Jan. National Heritage Fellowship Award, supports a vibrant music community [Information and updates on BCMFest 18), and participatory sessions in Har- she also is known as a composer of tunes through Club Passim, music school, 2019 performers will be available via the vard Square locations late the following in the Irish tradition. She has appeared artist grants and outreach initiatives. BCMFest website, passim.org/bcmfest] afternoon The final day, will be devoted to locally as part of “A Christmas Celtic Festival details, including ticket in- BCMFest will be centered around Club workshops with Carroll and Henderson, Sojourn” and the 2008 ICONS Festival, formation, will be available at passim. Passim (47 Palmer St.), with evening as well as other BCMFest performers, among other events, and at The Burren. org/bcmfest. concerts on Jan. 17 and 18 — each fol- at the Passim School of Music. Henderson is a native of Scotland’s Page 18 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com For Áine Minogue, it’s all about Eve and what she has meant for all of us (Continued from page 1) of course, but the scope the time/When the Gods sword/this healer’s hand/I presence as well. So there for commercials, and so advanced by Jung, of of ‘Eve’ is independent of pledged love to you, and carve the wound/I thread are plenty of familiar on. So he brought a dif- each person possessing them. It has to do with me, and all Mankind/ the strand.” Minogue trademarks, like ferent perspective that fit both feminine and mascu- how humans treat each Eve, come back from the Minogue says she has the liturgical feel to “Echo in well with what I was line traits – the feminine other, and also how our water’s edge/Eve, All is been influenced by the of Love,” a round sung trying to accomplish, and archetype being more female aspect treats our Well…” work of scholar-authors with multi-tracked vocals gave me a lot of courage to intuitive and empathetic, male aspect, and vice- Minogue revisits the like Joseph Campbell and over an electronic sound- try out some new things.” the male more linear and versa. There is a certain question in “Before the Marion Woodman, and scape, or the Irish/Celtic Minogue acknowledges structurally oriented – darkness to the album, World Was Made”: “I their use of psychology dimension underscored the irony of having an all- and that we express these because it does speak to am looking for the face I and related disciplines in by Egan’s whistle and male set of accompanists in our own unique ways. women’s efforts to deal had/Before the world was analyzing and interpret- Halliday’s pipes on songs on an album dedicated to “But I also find fasci- with negative things, of made”; “The face I knew ing folk tales and folklore. such as “The Perfect Eve” an icon of femininity. “But nating the character of carrying shame for the before the world was nigh/ “Marion Woodman in and “Warrior or Healer.” I think there is a strong Eve, and her portrayal other, as Eve did – dancing Who was I?/Before they particular, and her book One conspicuous ad- feminine aspect to their down through the ages. to tunes not of their own cut me off and cast me Sitting By the Well, made dition is Billy Novick’s playing – and I mean that She is called ‘Mother of making.” aside.” an impression on me. She clarinet, which appears as a great compliment,” All Creation,’ and yet you Minogue alludes to such “There is so much go- broke down fairy tales in on seven of the 12 tracks. she says, adding with a can’t find a classic artist struggles in “The Perfect ing on with identity these fascinating ways, such as At times, Novick is in the laugh. “I think it helps depicting her as a mother, Eve” – one of three songs days: This is how the world explaining the imagery background, providing a that they have nothing to only as a woman exiled. I on the album that in- sees me, but is that who I of castles, drawbridg- mid-range tonal comple- prove, so they’re beyond find that ironic and mind- cludes the titular name: really am?” Minogue says es, stairs and doors in ment to Egan and Friesen. ego and testosterone.” blowing: After all, she’s “A perfect mirror for the of “Before the World Was Jungian terms; the song, On “Puppetmaster” – a Over the course of this someone who lost a child, shame/A perfect Eve to Made.” “Yeats, of course, ‘Ghostly Love,’ that’s on commentary on the illu- month, Minogue will start Abel, to murder at the your Adam/A perfect key wrote a poem with the this album – with lines sions that exist in perfor- to prepare for her annual hand of her other child, to lock your shadow.” “All same title, and the night like ‘My ghostly love mance, whether on stage slate of Christmas/New Cain. She has this huge About Eve,” meanwhile, before I recorded this I pulled the drawbridge or real life – he comes to Year’s season concerts, life that seems so under- does have a specific source found out Van Morrison tight’ – is totally a nod the fore, the clarinet’s including at Club Passim explored.” of inspiration: the Bette had made a song of that to her. bluesy swoops and glides on Dec. 21. It has become a While contemporary Davis movie of the same poem. I certainly admire “On the one hand, I conjuring up images of tradition in and of itself for gender-related contro- name. But in evoking Yeats, and Van, but I appreciate the pure, emo- greasepaint and circus her – this year, she notes, versies and issues may what she calls the film’s felt the Eve in me had tional and visceral aspect tents. is the 25th anniversary of seem to dovetail with the reflection on “unspeakable something to say: ‘What of traditional folk songs But the most significant the release of “To Warm album’s premise, Minogue women-on-women misog- was it like before shadow and tales, but I also like contribution to “Eve” came the Winter’s Night” – and says the impetus for “Eve” yny,” she also notes that and shame were cast on being able to step back from Jon Evans, who has thus offers a familiar sort is based on more universal such contempt can turn women?’” and see them in a different worked with popular of comfort and joy. and timeless themes. inward as well: “Beware Yeats comes up again context.” singer-songwriters like At the same time, “I can’t point to one or your mother’s dreams, in “Warrior or Healer,” its From a musical stand- Sarah McLachlan and Minogue has an inkling two specific things that in- my dear/No apple falls far opening line (“The center point, “Eve” sees Minogue Tori Amos. Besides mus- that whatever guiding spired this whole torrent from its tree.” breaks/Yet on I go”) a take a few new pathways. tering acoustic and elec- spirit inspired the cre- of songs; it just happened The other “Eve” song, variation on his famous Her graceful Irish harp tric guitars, bass, banjo ation of “Eve” may not be for whatever reason, and “Oh, Eve,” is about the line from “The Second and her stellar work on and other instruments, he finished with her yet. I felt compelled to bring different interpretations Coming.” Minogue says keyboards are an integral served as mixer and engi- “Something’s shifted, I them to life. The album is and impressions of Eve she’s been offered numer- part of the mix as always; neer, providing important think. I’ve been feeling a not about current contro- accumulated throughout ous interpretations of the Seamus Egan (whistle), insights along with fine whole new energy,” she versies: It’s not about, say, the ages, to such an ex- song (“As the messenger, Eugene Friesen (cello) musicianship, according says. “We’ll see where it male/female income dis- tent that her true nature who am I to disagree?” she and Alasdair Halliday to Minogue. goes. I’m just along for parity, or about #MeToo,” has become obscured: says), but the dual-nature, (Scottish pipes, harmony “Jon is very gifted, and the ride.” she says. “Eve, drawing water from dueling-impulses Jungian vocals), all of whom have he’s had all these different For more on Aine “Not that those is- the children’s well/Could view of the individual is appeared on previous experiences that include Minogue and “Eve,” see sues aren’t important, you tell me the story of evident: “This warrior’s recordings, are a key pop and rock, session work aineminogue.com. bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 19 Says Jarlath Henderson, MD, and musician: ‘I love trauma – that’s why I sing about it’ By Sean Smith he notes that he also has been influenced Special to the BIR by the work of other venerable North- It’s not just the regular influx of high- ern Irish traditional singers like Sarah profile, established acts – Lúnasa, Der- Makem, Paddy Tunney, and Geordie vish, The Chieftains, Altan – that make Hanna. Then again, Henderson had Greater Boston such an Irish/Celtic music plenty of musical inspiration around him: fan’s dream. Area venues also frequently His father plays the uilleann pipes, his host performers who have attained a solid mother sings and plays guitar, and both following at home, and are looking to do his sisters also are musically inclined the same in the US, like Róisín O, The – the younger of the two, Alanna, is an Maguires, Connla, and JigJam. intriguing singer-songwriter and cellist Add Jarlath Henderson to that list. The who provided exquisite vocal harmonies multi-talented Armagh-born, Tyrone- on “Hearts Broken” (“Sweet Lemany” bred, Glasgow-based uilleann piper and and “The Mountain Streams Where the singer and his band came through town Moorcock Grows”); she and Jarlath also last month as part of his first-ever Ameri- did a cameo appearance during the live can tour, appearing at The Rockwell in broadcast from this year’s Fleadh Cheoil. Davis Square. When Henderson began taking an “I had an opportunity to play in New interest in the pipes at age 10, he went York City, and that was just too good for classes at the Armagh Pipers Club to pass up,” said Henderson prior to his and found a haven. “It was a different arrival in Boston. “So I decided to give environment than school, where I took [the tour] a go. I’ve made a lot of con- classical flute – that was the kind of nections in the US, and thought people thing you kept to yourself. At the club, might be interested enough to come out there were kids who were interested in and see us. We’ve had a grand time of it the same music I was. At the same time, so far – standing ovations every night. I was relating to adults, people in their Really enjoying ourselves.” 60s and 70s who were real mentor fig- Henderson’s American audiences no ures. The social skills you gather in that doubt enjoyed themselves, too, as have setting are so positive, and it spreads to audiences everywhere since he began other areas of your life.” playing in public during his teens. Yet But Henderson ultimately wound up for Henderson, music was more than studying medicine, not music: “I guess I a youthful pastime or extracurricular thought of music as a release, not some- interest: It was a vital activity for a thing that would be my ‘job.’ At the same kid who had a difficult time finding his time, I was always good at science, and way, a fulfilling outlet for his consider- Jarlath Henderson: “I may not have made it easy on myself to have two careers, the more I thought about it, the more able energy – to such an extent that, in but I really think it’s because of music that I’m not a typical burned-out doc- I felt I would like to go into medicine.” addition to becoming an accomplished tor. I’m in a fortunate position in that I can come in feeling fresh and revived While music may be his “off switch” musician, he has successfully pursued after playing somewhere.” from the rigors of being a doctor, Hen- a career as a doctor. derson – who hopes to eventually work “I look on music as my salvation,” said showcase for his vocals, with a phrasing, ny” is gently supported by an enchanting as a general practitioner with a special Henderson. “I was written off in school as enunciation, and timbre often compared arpeggio from Napier’s electric piano focus on emergency medicine – views it a ‘messer,’ a hyperactive kid always get- to another Northern Irish-born singer of and the interlaced acoustic guitars of as a complement to his medical persona, ting into trouble. I was under-stimulated, note who also happened to pass through Henderson and Watson. “The Slighted in that both involve a certain amount of and nothing mattered to me – I needed Boston earlier this fall: the legendary Lover” glides along at a breezy, jazzy empathy and intuition. “I love trauma – something to give me focus. But once I Paul Brady. 3/4 to upright piano, electric guitar and that’s why I sing about it,” he quipped. “I really got into playing, I began to see “Hearts Broken, Heads Turned” also double bass plus a small brass section, may not have made it easy on myself to what I was capable of doing, and it gave shows an astonishing breadth of creativ- which also appears towards the end of have two careers, but I really think it’s me a lot of confidence.” ity and innovation, as Henderson and the otherwise spare “Ye Rambling Boys because of music that I’m not a typical Henderson’s track record bears that his cohorts – notably Hamish Napier of Pleasure” and, for good measure, as a burned-out doctor. I’m in a fortunate po- out. He won three All-Ireland titles in (keyboards), Duncan Lyall (double bass, backing (along with a beatboxing track) sition in that I can come in feeling fresh piping and in 2003 became the youngest synthesizer), Innes Watson (fiddle, for Henderson’s pipes and Watson’s fiddle and revived after playing somewhere.” musician – and first from Ireland, and guitar) and engineer/mixer Andrea in the finale of “Mountain Streams Where Perhaps one drawback to a dual- first uilleann piper – to win the coveted Gobbi – infuse the album with dashes the Moorcocks Grow,” which closes out career life is that it may create a wrong BBC Young Folk Award, all of this be- of electronica, rock and jazz in a fashion the album. impression. “Some people assume that, fore he was 20. He then embarked on that enhances, rather than subsumes “It’s a look inside my head, and all as a doctor and a musician, I must be a rewarding partnership with Scottish the songs. “Courting Is a Pleasure,” for that I’ve been soaking up during the loaded,” said Henderson slyly. “That’s piper Ross Ainslie, whom he met through instance, is propelled by gritty electric past decade or so,” said Henderson of the not the case.” the famed Armagh Pipers Club, the duo keyboard riffs as well as sound effects recording, which has drawn widespread Whatever the demands on his time, releasing two albums. He also recorded sampled and sequenced from the bellows, critical acclaim (and was nominated for Henderson’s energy seems to be in fine with, among others, Wolfestone, the bag, and valves of Henderson’s pipes. album of the year by the Scottish Music shape. He’s already planning for three Peatbog Faeries ,and Deirdre Moynihan, Similar electronic tinkering adds percus- Industry Association). “There’s a strong more albums, including one that’s more and even had his music featured in the sive character to “Farewell Lovely Nancy” electronic, modern feel to it, but the tunes-oriented as well as another in the Disney/Pixar movie “Brave.” and “The Mountain Streams Where the folk-acoustic-traditional roots are still vein of “Hearts Broken, Heads Turned.” Considerable though his instrumental Moorcocks Grow.” Pipe drones combine very much in the mix. I wanted to put “There’s so much music happening prowess may be – he’s equally proficient with synthesizer flourishes and vocalized something out there that came across as out there, and I don’t listen to just one on flute, whistle, guitar and cittern – soundscapes to make for about as eerie a full expression of my interests, with a thing, so I get a lot going on in my mind,” Henderson attracted a different kind of and ominous a version you’ll hear of the big red sound carpet. I’m very happy with he said. “That’s as true as it gets. Yeah, attention when he released his first solo murder ballad “Young Edmund in the the response it’s gotten.” it makes for a busy life, but better that album, “Hearts Broken, Heads Turned,” Lowlands,” climaxed by a chilling rendi- Henderson has heard the Paul Brady than being a Victorian monk.” in 2016 [jarlathhenderson.bandcamp. tion of the melody by Henderson’s pipes. comparisons, of course, and is fine with Jarlath Henderson’s website is jarlath- com]. Its eight traditional songs are a By contrast, the tender “Sweet Lema- them (“It’s a helluva compliment”), but henderson.co.uk. A talk about love and consent in pre-famine Ireland Throughout his education and his which I do, you have to make the most of involved with Mary Louisa McMahon, a career in academia, Ciaran O’Neill has any opportunity to do research, because woman of lower social stature about four perused great historical tomes, canoni- it feeds and enriches your interests and years his senior’ two critical elements cal works of literature, and numerous ultimately makes you a better teacher.” that made the affair an unsavory one, academic journals. But the current focus As a scholar with research interests said O’Neill. It was a potentially, but not of his scholarly attention is a personal rooted in 19th-century Ireland, O’Neill equally, dangerous relationship for both: diary from 1840s Dublin that chronicles views the Kenney diary—which has McMahon, an unmarried woman in her an illicit love affair. been preserved and digitized at Trinity mid-20s (practically a spinster by the The diary kept by Trinity College College—as a window unto a time when era’s standards) from a scandal-wracked Dublin law student James Christopher Ireland’s status as part of the Brit- family, risked her chance of redemption Fitzgerald Kenney, and what it reveals ish Empire seemed to simultaneously and respectability; Kenney risked his about love, class, courtship, and moral mask and amplify the complexity of its reputation. conduct, will be the subject of a lecture social relationships and mores. Part of “This diary offers many topics for re- on Nov. 6 by O’Neill, who is the Burns the diary’s significance lies in the fact flection and discussion, about love, power, Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies this that Kenney was an elite Catholic, who and consent, and the social structures semester. The Burns Scholar Lecture will represent a largely unexplored chapter in 19th-century Ireland. But there are be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Burns in Irish history, explained O’Neill, who other questions beyond history that can Library’s Thompson Room, and is free is collaborating on a study of the diary be considered: How does a researcher deal and open to the public. with Juliana Adelman of Dublin City with this material—a personal diary—in For O’Neill, who has been the Ussher University. an ethical manner? And how much do we Lecturer in History at Trinity College “Not much has written about the trust the veracity of what the narrator Dublin since 2011, spending the fall at BC Catholic elite,” said O’Neill. “There is is saying, especially if it’s written in this represented an opportunity to reconnect an assumption that those who were in literary manner? The gender and social with friends and acquaintances and enjoy positions of power and influence in pre- inequality glimpsed in the diary is all the the wealth of holdings at Burns Library. independent Ireland were defined by their more profound given that we know how He is utilizing Burns’ resources for a book non-Catholic status. But it’s possible to Kenney’s life and career turned out, while about social and political power and its trace the Catholic elites from school, Mary McMahon, as far as anyone can dynamics in Ireland. where they came together, and through tell, just drops off the face of the earth.” Burns Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies “There is so much material at Burns I the various networks and clusters they The above article was excerpted from a Ciaran O’Neill will discuss his latest wanted to get my hands on,” said O’Neill, built up over time.” Boston College Office of University Com- research on Nov. 6 at Boston College. a native of County Laois, some 50 miles An heir to his family’s fortune and munications release. Gary Wayne Gilbert photo southwest of Dublin. “If you love teaching, a future magistrate, Kenney became Page 20 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com

IRISH AMERICAN P A R T N E R S H I P

in conversation with

Mary McAleese Anne Anderson 8TH PRESIDENT FORMER AMBASSADOR OF IRELAND OF IRELAND TO THE U.S.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 | 8AM THE BOSTON HARBOR HOTEL ROWES WHARF, BOSTON

Tickets: www.irishap.org/events Questions? [email protected] or 617.723.2707

For the last 30 years, The Irish American Partnership has empowered the next generation of Irish leaders by supporting educational initiatives and community development programs in Ireland, North and South. Join us: www.irishap.org.

bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 21 Traveling People Into caves? Then Doolin Cave in Clare is a must-place to visit By Judy Enright created a Burren Discovery Special to the BIR Ticket that gives tourists extra If you have ever visited the value during the season when magical, mystical Burren in Co. they visit Aillwee Cave, the Clare, it probably won’t surprise Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experi- you to learn that there’s nearly ence, and the excellent Burren as much going on in places be- Centre in Kilfenora within two neath the karst landscape as to three days. For information, there is above ground. see: getyourguide.com/cliffs-of- DOOLIN CAVE moher-l4550/wild-atlantic-way- One such place is just north burren-4-ticket-t45011/. of the village of Doolin on the As with all attractions in Ire- Wild Atlantic Way. In 1952, land in this shoulder season, be two young men who were visit- sure to check ahead to be sure ing Ireland with an expedition they are open and whether they from the Craven Hill Potholing have curtailed their hours. The Club in England’s Yorkshire Burren Centre, for instance, Dales discovered a cave while closed in October. The Cliffs and exploring the Burren. Aillwee are open all year except While most other members Dec. 24, 25 and 26. Aillwee Cave of the group stayed in a hotel, is also closed New Year’s Day. Brian Varley and J.M. Dicken- MARBLE ARCH CAVES son camped out on a hillside. Also on your agenda for cave In the morning, they decided visits might be the Marble to explore the area around a Arch Caves in Co. Fermanagh, cliff they had seen the previ- Northern Ireland. These caves ous day. They followed a small open from mid/late-March to stream that seemed to disap- September, are in a National pear under the cliff, struggled Nature Reserve and have a sou- to move several large boulders venir shop, restaurant, exhibi- aside, then crawled into the tion area, and free audio-visual narrow passageway. The rest presentation. The caves open at is history. After a long, dark, 10 a.m. but prospective visitors difficult crawl, their lamps lit up are advised to call ahead - 044 (0) the main chamber of the Doolin 28 6634 8855 - or email: mac@ Cave and they looked upon the fermanagh.gov.uk ) to make Great Stalactite, reputed to be sure the caves are accessible Europe’s longest free-hanging on the day they plan to visit as stalactite. It had formed over heavy rain can close them. thousands of years from a single The caves are part of a Geopa- drop of water. rk area that stretches from the The men are quoted as having northern shores of Lower Lough said, “Scrambling over boulders, Erne in Co. Fermanagh to the we stood speechless in a large lowlands of Lough Oughter in chamber of ample width, length, Co. Cavan. All Geopark areas and impressive height. As our except the caves are open all lamps circled this great hall, we year. picked out a gigantic stalactite, For more information, see certainly over 30 feet in length, marblearchcavesgeopark.com. the only formation in the cham- BEER, CIDER ber and set proudly in the very FESTIVAL center. It is really majestic and If you’re a beer or cider fanci- poised like the veritable sword of er, you might want to make note Damocles. With our headlamps of the 19th Annual Belfast Beer inadequately floodlighting this & Cider Festival in Ulster Hall huge formation, we tiptoed … from Nov. 8-10. More than 100 to the bottom of the chamber, ales and ciders will be offered. not daring to speak lest the Sample the various brews while vibration of the first voices ever listening to music and chowing to sound in this hall since the down on dishes from Northern beginning of time should cause Ireland’s culinary capital. it to shatter.” For more information, visit In 1990, local restaurant belfastbeerfestival.co.uk. owners John and Helen Browne TRAVELS bought the land where the cave No matter when you visit Ire- was located, did the necessary land, there is always something preparation work and finally new and interesting to see and opened the cave to the public do. If you’ve been before, then in 2006. They have since added you no doubt have favorite spots a farmyard nature trail and a Visitors to the Doolin Cave, in Co. Clare, admire the Great Stalactite, which is estimated to that were fun and are well worth visitors’ center with a café and weigh more than 10 tons and measure 23 feet in length. Judy Enright photos another visit. gift shop. The center is dedicated Enjoy the island whenever to Helen’s longtime friend, the tites and stalagmites. For the younger set (and information. For details on the and wherever you go. For more late journalist and author Nuala Remains of bears have been maybe the older set), a Santa’s cave, see aillweecave.ie. information on events, accom- O’Faolain. found inside the caves and some Workshop sets up at Aillwee BURREN modations, attractions, and The Doolin Cave and its amaz- claim that Aillwee was the last every Christmas season and DISCOVERY more, visit Ireland.com. ing stalactite are truly worth a bear den in Ireland. The cave sounds like a lot of fun. See The Irish are most proficient visit, as is that entire area of is older than most others in [email protected] for more at promoting tourism and have Clare. There’s so much to do Clare and originally had a large and so much natural beauty to stream, which is now filled with see there. Be sure to visit the glacial material. Cliffs of Moher and spend time Formations seen on tours led in one of the great local pubs for by Aillwee’s guides are rarely a rousing music session. more than 8,000 years old, but Doolin Cave is open daily samples from the deepest re- from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more cesses of the cave were tested information, see doolincave.ie. and are said to be more than AILLWEE CAVE 350,000 years old. Outside the nearby village Down the hill from the cave of Ballyvaughan is Aillwee is the Aillwee Cave Farmshop, Cave, discovered in 1944 by lo- where award-winning Burren cal farmer Jack McGann, who Gold Cheese has been made followed his dog as it chased a since 1985. The cheese is similar rabbit into the cave. He didn’t to Gouda and is really delicious. go too far inside and didn’t tell We bought the Garlic and Nettle anyone about the cave for almost and the smoked cheese the last 30 years. time we were there and can at- In 1973, he told some cavers test to its excellence. about his find and that summer Across the way from the Aillwee Cave was explored as farmshop is a great attraction, far back as a boulder blockade Aillwee’s Birds of Prey center. that was removed in 1977 when We have also enjoyed and taken access was gained to the rest of guests to these amazing shows the cave. several times. The Birds of Prey A tunnel was finished in 1992 Center is home to various birds to give visitors a circular trip including eagles, owls, hawks through more than a kilometer and falcons and they are so much of passageways where they can fun to watch as they perform, view an underground river and although I always wonder if A performer at the Birds of Prey exhibit at Aillwee Cave in Co. Clare. There is also a cheese- waterfall as well as large stalac- they will really come back after making shop, gift and tea shop on site as well as a Santa’s Workshop for the younger set. soaring off into the distance. Page 22 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com A ‘Wrong’ Play That’s Comically Right By R. J. Donovan your time at Phillips start and brought you up Special to the BIR Academy? through the ranks. From the time he was A. They had a phe- A. A friend of mine from a small boy growing up nomenal theater program college worked for Kevin. in Marblehead, Lucas where students could When I was graduating McMahon set his sights direct and produce and (college), he knew Kevin on becoming a commercial be really involved in the was looking for a new theatrical producer. Even production process of the assistant. Kevin was a when he was performing in shows. And that’s really hero of mine . . . He had a show, he was focused on when I found my kind of done so much work that I what was going on back- passion for producing . . deeply respected . . . The stage, behind the scenes. . They encouraged us to opportunity to sit down This month, Lucas re- dream big and gave us the with him was so exciting turns to Boston as a co- resources and the support . . . So I flew to New York producer of the national to achieve those goals. (from Chicago) and had tour of “The Play That Q. Tell me about work- a meeting and we really Goes Wrong,” coming to ing at Williamstown. just hit it off. After that I The Emerson Colonial A. I ran their PR opera- called him and said, “You Theatre from Nov. 7 to tion in 2012 . . . That was have to hire me. I’m not Nov. 18. the season Bradley Cooper gonna let you not” . . . I’ve “The Play That Goes and Patricia Clarkson been with the company Wrong” is an out of con- were doing “Elephant ever since. trol comedy about the Man,” and Blythe Danner Q. And now you’re theater. Co-written by was doing a new play, and back in Boston with a Mischief Theatre Com- Tyne Daly was there as show. Somewhere your pany members Henry The Play That Goes Wrong National Tour. Photo by Jeremy Daniel Lady Bracknell in “Impor- grandmother must be Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, tance of Being Earnest” smiling. Lucas was born in Bos- Q. How do you describe crew – what the shared with David Hyde Pierce A. My Nana (Frances and Henry Shields, the ton and attended Phillips the job of Producer? goals are of the project play looks at “The Corn- directing. Kelli O’Hara McMahon) was one of the Academy before heading A. There’s the kind and creating a real sense was there in “Far From most influential people in ley University Drama to Northwestern Univer- of functional aspects of of teamwork . . . So many Society” attempting to Heaven.” It really was a my life. She was a classic sity. He spent a summer the job of producer. And different people work to spectacular season with Boston Irish matriarch. present a 1920s’ murder handling publicity at Wil- there’s also the philosophi- make one show happen, mystery. Despite the best incredibly talented people. She had six kids and 12 liamstown Theatre Fes- cal aspects. And they’re and it’s the producer’s job Q. I understand you grandchildren and she of intentions, everything tival and then joined the both equal in importance. to make sure they’re all falls apart as the accident- have a personal history was so proud of all of us . New York offices of Tony Functionally, a producer driving towards the same with The Colonial. . . I know she’s still with prone thespians race to Award-winning producer is the person who over- goal. their final curtain. A. I saw my first show us and being able to bring Kevin McCollum (“In The sees the development of Q. You’ve had your at The Colonial The- shows to Boston reminds The New York produc- Heights,” “Avenue Q” and a project. They hire the heart set on “putting it tion continues at Broad- ater. “Joseph and The me of her and that’s really “Rent”). His parents still creative team, they over- together” since you were Amazing Technicolor special . . . She would be way’s Lyceum Theatre live on the North Shore see the artistic develop- a kid. while the original London Dreamcoat” with Donny telling anyone who walked and his brother and sister ment of the show as well A. When I was in el- Osmond and I absolutely past, “My grandson has a company is in its fourth live in the Back Bay, across as the marketing and the ementary school I actually year of phenomenal busi- loved it. I saw it with my show at The Colonial!” the street from each other. fundraising to make the convinced the school to Nana. There are two sides R. J. Donovan is edi- ness. Lucas previously worked project happen. let me use the free period All of this is remarkable of my family. I have my tor and publisher of on- on the national tour of Q. And the philosophi- to create a theater club Boston Irish side and my stageboston.com. when you consider that the “Something Rotten” that cal? where I produced and play began at a London Russian Jewish side, so ••• played The Opera House. A. The philosophical directed plays with my I’m an Irish Jew. (Laugh- “The Play That Goes fringe theater with an He spoke about his work aspect is really kind of set- classmates. In fourth, audience of four at its first ing) I’m very proud of that Wrong,” Nov. 7 - 18, Emer- by phone from his office ting the tone, for everyone fifth and sixth grade. It combo. son Colonial Theatre, 106 performance. It has now in Manhattan. Here’s from the creative team, to was always kind of what been seen by more than Q. Producer Kevin Boylston Street, Boston. a condensed look at our the actors, to the market- I wanted to do. McCollum really gave Info: 888-616-0272 or 2 million people around conversation. ing team, to the backstage Q. How did that impact the world. you’re your professional broadwayinboston.com.

Monday, October 22 – Friday, November 2 Registered Boston voters can vote at any early voting location in the City, including City Hall. Pick a time and place that is best for you.

WEEK 1: WEEK 2: MON. OCT. 22, 9A.M. – 5P.M. MON. OCT. 29, 9A.M. – 5P.M. Boston City Hall (Downtown) Boston City Hall (Downtown) TUES. OCT. 23, 12 – 8P.M. TUES. OCT. 30, 12 – 8P.M. Boston City Hall (Downtown Boston City Hall (Downtown 9a.m. - 8p.m.) 9a.m. - 8p.m.) Holy Name Parish Hall (Roxbury) Harvard-Kent School (Charlestown) Dot House Health (Dorchester) Benjamin Franklin Institute of Tobin Community Center Technology (South End) (Mission Hill) Wang YMCA of Chinatown (Chinatown) WED. OCT. 24, 9A.M. – 5P.M. WED. OCT. 31, 9A.M. – 5P.M. Boston City Hall (Downtown) Boston City Hall (Downtown) THUR. OCT. 25, 12 – 8P.M. THUR. NOV. 1, 12 – 8P.M. Boston City Hall (Downtown Boston City Hall (Downtown 9a.m. - 8p.m.) 9a.m. - 8p.m.) All Saints’ Church (Dorchester) The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Honan-Allston Library (Allston) Community Ctr. (Dorchester) Margarita Muniz Academy (Formerly ABCD Thelma D. Burns Building Louis Agassiz Elementary School) (Roxbury) (Jamaica Plain) The Blue Hills Collaborative (Hyde Park) FRI. OCT. 26, 9A.M. – 5P.M. FRI. NOV. 2, 9A.M. – 5P.M. Boston City Hall (Downtown) Boston City Hall (Downtown)

WEEKEND VOTING: SAT. & SUN. OCT. 27 & 28, 10A.M. - 6P.M. Paris St. Community Center Mildred Ave. Community Center. (East Boston) (Mattapan) James F. Condon Elementary School Roche Community Center (South Boston) (West Roxbury) Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building Neponset Campus (formerly known (Roxbury) as St. Ann’s School) (Dorchester) Copley Square Library (Back Bay) Perkins Community Center / Jackson Mann School (Allston) Joseph Lee School (Dorchester)

In order to vote early or on Election Day, you must register to vote by October 17. If you miss the early voting period, you can still vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6.

Learn more at boston.gov/early-voting #VoteEarlyBoston • Call 311 • [email protected] bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 23 CD Reviews five-string kind) without sounding pitiable or maudlin, as evidenced by continues to carve “Don’t Let Me Down” – not a rendition of the Lennon- out and consoli- McCartney hit but in a similar vein – or “War of Love,” By Sean Smith date its territory which makes a persuasive case for not attending your Altan, “The Gap of Dreams” • One of Donegal’s in the “Celtgrass” ex-love’s wedding (guest accompanying vocalist Sierra greatest natural resources returns to the firmament g e n r e t h e y ’ v e Hull strengthens the argument); and he can deliver on with this, its 13th studio album. Where Altan’s previ- championed for the uplifting, feel-good/do-good songs, such as “Pack It ous release, “The Widening Gyre” (2015), was Irish- the half-dozen-or- Up,” “Light in the Sky” – which touches on the experi- Americana fusion (with guest stars like Alison Brown, more years they’ve ences of immigrants and refugees – and “Hold Onto Jerry Douglas, Tim O’Brien, Mary Chapin Carpenter, been together: a Your Soul.” His bandmates also deserve credit for their and Boston’s own Darol Anger), “The Gap of Dreams” shrewdly, inge- fine vocal harmonies. is a paean to the group’s birthplace and celebrates the niously assembled The album’s instrumental tracks – all four comprising indispensability of music, songs, dance, and stories to mix of Irish and band compositions – are as dazzling and intricate as past generations coping with the demands of rural life, American folk, ever, and uphold WB3’s brand of Irish-Americana meld: as well as famine, conflict and emigration. both in form and Enda Scahill (banjo), Fergal Scahill (fiddle, bodhran, In the interim content. percussion) and Martin Howley (mandolin, banjo), between “Gyre” In more recent years, though, brothers Enda and along with David Howley on guitar, effectively blur the and “Gap,” with Fergal Scahill and David and Martin Howley have distinctions between traditions and styles, often in the the departure of shifted toward the Americana end of the spectrum, a same set. “Dawn Breaks,” for example, starts off with fiddler Ciaran movement which included a geographical component: an Irish-style jig, segues into a sauntering, bluegrass- Tourish, the band “Haven” was recorded in the US, with Bryan Sutton like 4/4 tune, and then a breakneck reel which, toward has become a quin- – a bluegrass-style guitarist who’s played with Ricky the end, lets up a bit as the band creates a repeating tet, which puts the Scaggs – serving as a co-producer. This transition has riff from the tune’s B part, before resuming full speed. focus more than seen WB3 emphasize its own material rather than Listen to “Granny’s Bonnet,” the second half of the ever on the band’s traditional tunes and songs, or covers of, for example, medley “Sugar House,” and you’ll hear Enda playing co-founder – and Danny Dill and Marijohn Wilkin’s “Long Black Veil” an old-time/bluegrass-style variation alongside Fergal’s in many ways its and Guy Davis’ “We All Need More Kindness in This more Celticesque fiddling. “Annabelle’s Cannon” has heart and soul – World.” In particular, the band’s focus has been on a similarly hybrid feel to it, as does the waltz “Marry Mairéad Ní Mha- songwriting in a folk-rock-pop idiom that’s drawn Me Monday,” highlighted by Martin’s mandolin duet onaigh. She, along comparisons to Mumford & Sons or The Lumineers. with cellist Erin Snedecor. with accordionist The result is a sound that is definitely hook-laden and Speaking of guest musicians, it’s worth noting that, Martin Tourish, carry most of the instrumental sets might be described as, yes, more “mainstream.” as on their two previous albums, WB3 once again uti- and if the sound isn’t as full as it was in past incar- Here’s the thing, though: These guys are so darn good lizes brass but doesn’t overdo it; the trumpet, sax ,and nations of Altan, it’s still got plenty of heft. Small at this stuff. The sheer ability, the tightness of their trombone appear on four tracks, including the title wonder, though, when you’ve also got Ciarán Curran playing, the force of personality – all those qualities song and (with great effect) “Dawn Breaks.” (bouzouki), Dáithí Sproule (guitar), and Mark Kelly that have brought so many admirers into the WB3 We Banjo 3 strikes one as a band that, well-estab- (guitar) in your crew. tent are still in evidence, even if the material isn’t lished though it may be, is still contemplating where Ní Mhaonaigh and Tourish are at their most robust as uniformly strong as before. David Howley’s sing- Celtgrass can take them. “Haven” doesn’t necessarily on tracks like the set of reels “Seán sa Cheo/Tuar/ ing remains a key asset: He can project vulnerability represent that ultimate destination. [webanjo3.com] Oíche Fheidhmieúil (A Spirited Night),” the latter two composed by Tourish (“A Spirited Night” is an expres- sion unique to the Donegal Gaeltacht), and another trio that’s about as good a primer there is for Donegal fiddle, “The Tullaghan Lasses/The Cameronian/The Pigeon on the Gate.” Their fretted-string colleagues also get some well-deserved attention, with Curran COME VISIT ANY taking the lead – supported by some outstanding guitar backing – on the slow reel “The Piper in the Cave,” which is followed by the jig “An Ghaoth Aniar Aneas (South-West Wind)”; Kelly is in the spotlight on his composition, “Port Alex.” SOMERS PUBS An especially pleasing revelation on the album’s opening track might be termed Altan: The Next Generation, as Ní Mhaonaigh’s daughter Nia Byrne LOCATION FOR QUALITY FOOD, appears on fiddle, playing a jig she composed, while Kelly’s son Mark is featured on concertina on his own “The Beekeeper.” HOSPITALITY & LIVE MUSIC No drop-off in quality on the vocal tracks here: Ní Mhaonaigh enriches the well-known “Month of January” (from the repertoire of the great Paddy 7 NIGHTS A WEEK! Tunney), and “Dark Inishowen,” a Donegal song of characteristically haunting splendor. There are also four Gaelic songs, including one from her childhood, “Níon a’ Bhaoigheallaigh,” and “An Bealach Seo ‘Tá Romham (This Road Ahead of Me),” written by Clan- nad’s Moya Brennan. Capping off the album in brilliant style is “Fare Thee Well, a Stór,” written by Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin (and set to the tune of Shetland fiddler Tom Anderson’s “Da Slockit Light”), which Ní Mhaonaigh graces with a sweet, not saccharine, air of regret, enhanced by a gentle chorus from the rest of the band. The phrase “The Gap of Dreams” is taken from a Francis Carlin poem, in which he writes, “The Gap of 77 Broad St. 11 Marshall St. Dreams is never shut” – a reference to the portal to Boston, MA 02109 Boston, MA 02108 25 Union St. the mystical “Otherworld which has long nurtured the 617.338.5656 617.367.0055 Boston, MA 02108 music, folklore and popular imagination of Donegal. mrdooleys.com greendragonboston.com Altan’s reference to it here is an affirmation, that no 617.742.2121 matter where their musical travels take them, geo- hennessysboston.com graphically or creatively, they are always rooted to that much-loved in-between place. [altan.ie] We Banjo 3, “Haven” • With their fourth studio album, the Galway quartet (obligatory disclaimer: Yes, there are four of them, but only two actually play banjo; also, the banjos in question are the four-string tenor variety, played with a plectrum, not the finger-picked

Burials in 33 Union St. 108 Blackstone St. 9 Depot Ct. Massachusetts Boston, MA 02108 Boston, MA 02109 Cohasset, MA 02025 617.263.7771 617.742.2090 781.383.3366 or Ireland paddyos.com durtynellysboston.com mrdooleyscohasset.com Gormley Funeral Home 617-323-8600 SOMERSPUBS.COM

2055 Centre Street West Roxbury, MA

www.Gormleyfuneral.com Page 24 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Saving Now THE BIR’S OCTOBER CALENDAR for Future OF IRISH/CELTIC MUSIC EVENTS The return of all-star fiddle ensemble Childsplay ren.com/EventsCalendar.html. – which plays at the Somerville Theater on Nov. 20 – • The annual Massachusetts Fiddle Hell, which Education Expenses highlights Boston-area Irish/Celtic music events these takes place Nov. 1-4 at the Westford Regency Inn in next several weeks. Westford, offers workshops, mini-concerts and evening Presented by Brian W. O’Sullivan, CFP, ChFC, CLU Childsplay comprises some two dozen musicians performances that showcase numerous fiddle styles, – many from Boston or elsewhere in New England – among them Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Appalachian performing fiddle music mainly from Irish, Scottish, and Scandinavian; instruments such as guitar, man- College costs are up — it’s in the news, part Cape Breton, Scandinavian, French Canadian, and dolin and cello also are featured. This year’s line-up of the political debate … it’s everywhere. But American folk traditions. All the fiddlers use violins includes Gerry O’Connor, Jay Ungar, Laurel Martin, what does that really mean? Is college still a created by Cambridge resident Bob Childs, who also Ellery Klein, Katie McNally, Keith Murphy, Lissa good investment? And if so, what’s the best plays in the ensemble and serves as artistic director Schneckenburger, Mark Simos, Rose Clancy, Flynn way to save for it? as well as its namesake. Although most of Childsplay’s Cohen, Brian O’Donovan, and David Surette. participants have active, full-time musical careers, they For more details, go to fiddlehell.org. gather almost every fall for a few weeks to rehearse • The Canadian American Club of Massachu- If you’re like most parents, and present concerts. setts Gala on Nov. 11 will feature several hours of music you’re concerned about Among the area musicians involved in the present and dance from Cape Breton, Irish, Scottish, Prince how you’ll fund your child’s iteration of Childsplay are Sheila Falls, Shannon Hea- Edward Island, Quebecois and old-timey traditions. education. Even if you’ve ton, Laurel Martin, Katie McNally, Kathleen Guilday, Among the performers are: Michael Kerr; the Jackie managed to start saving, and McKinley James; renowned Irish singer Karan O’Riley Dancers, with uilleann piper Joey Abarta; Casey has served as the band’s lead vocalist since 2016; fiddler Leland Martin; musicians from Boston’s Com- the fact remains that it just Kevin Doyle will be the featured dancer. haltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch; the Boston Scottish might not be enough. With Childs announced in 2017 that Childsplay will end Fiddle Orchestra; Adrienne Howard and friends; the all the competing priorities its two decades-plus run after its 2019 tour. The group Jen Schoonover Dancers with Ian MacDougal; Lor- that you need to consider, recently released its seventh recording, “The Bloom raine Lynch with Helen Keisel and Bernie Doucet, such as retirement savings, of Youth.” and Canned Ham, with accompaniment throughout you may be left confused and overwhelmed. For links to tickets and other information, go to the day by Terry Traub, and Lloyd Carr. There also somervilletheatre.com/live-events. will be Cape Breton Mabou set dances for all who will. • In addition to her appearance with Childsplay, For details, see canadianamericanclub.com. Develop Your Strategy Early (If You Can) Karan Casey will perform at Boston College’s Gaelic • The New England trio Fodhla will perform tradi- The earlier you can start planning, the more Roots series on Nov. 7. A native of Co. Waterford who tional, contemporary and original tunes from Ireland, money you can save. It’s hard to think beyond immigrated to New York City in 1993, Casey came to Brittany and Quebec on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the diapers and daycare at first, but even putting prominence as a co-founder of thye pioneering band First Baptist Church of Medford. Fodhla is fiddler a small amount aside with each paycheck can Solas. Casey released her first album in 1997, and Ellery Klein, a former member of all-female quartet began her solo career two years later; since then, she Long Time Courting and popular international Celtic make a big difference in the long run. has made seven recordings, the most recent being rock band Gaelic Storm; flutist Nicole Rabata, whose “Hieroglyphs That Tell the Tale,” released last month. musical experiences include a four-year sojourn in the Save In addition, she has collaborated with an array of art- west of Ireland and contributing along with Natalie When developing your saving and investment ists such as Lúnasa, Tim O’Brien, The Dubliners, and MacMaster to the film “The Heavenly Angle”; and gui- strategy, there are a lot of options at your James Taylor. Solidly grounded in traditional music, tarist Bethany Waickman, a frequent accompanist of disposal. Setting up a savings account is a Casey also has shown herself to be versatile in R&B, fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger and a member of contra jazz, blues and other genres, and as a songwriter: Her dance band Anadama. good start and can be part of your long-term previous album, “Two More Hours,” consisted of her The church is located at 34 Oakland Street in Med- financial plan. Another possibility to consider is original songs. ford. Go to firstbaptistchurchmedford.org/concerts for a 529 plan. Operated by a state or educational The concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Cadigan more details. institution, a 529 plan is an education savings Alumni Center on BC’s Brighton Campus. For more • The fourth Lexington Ceili takes place on Nov. 4 account designed to help families plan for details, see events.bc.edu/group/gaelic_roots_series. at 4:30 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Lexington college. A 529 plan can allow parents, relatives • Another Childsplay veteran, Hanneke Cassel, (1580 Massachusetts Avenue). Popular ceili dances brings her band – Mike Block (cello) and Keith Murphy such as “Siege of Ennis” and “Shoe the Donkey” will and friends to help invest in a child’s education (guitar, vocals) – to the Shalin Liu Performance Center be taught; all ages and experience levels are welcome. over time. in Rockport on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. Cassel’s strongly ex- Live music provided by Nora Smith (fiddle), Natasha pressive, emotive fiddle style draws on the traditions of Sheehy (accordion) and John Coyne (bouzouki). In- Reduce Costs Scotland’s Isle of Skye and Cape Breton Island, blended formation at facebook.com/events/720795561620639. Applying for scholarships is one that should with Americana grooves and other musical styles and • The Gore Place Carriage House Series in Waltham trappings. Since beginning her career more than 15 hosts two concerts this month featuring Irish/Celtic never be overlooked. Many local organizations years ago, Cassel has built up a repertoire of original music. On Nov. 13, the series will present “Music of the offer small scholarships that may seem tunes written in the traditional idiom to go with the Misty Isles” with Michael O’Leary and O’Carolan insignificant but can be a nice extra to pay for older music. She has appeared locally at BCMFest, the Etcetera. Gloucester resident O’Leary is a singer of expenses beyond tuition, room and board. And Boston College Gaelic Roots series and “A Christmas Irish, Scottish, and maritime ballads and songs who has then, of course, there are more substantial Celtic Sojourn,” among others, as well as events such appeared at BCMFest, Irish Connections Festival, New scholarships that help supplement the cost of as the Milwaukee Irish Fest, Celtic Colours in Cape England Folk Festival and other festivals and concert Breton and Celtic Connections in Glasgow. venues in New England. He also organizes music cruises college that are based on academic or athletic For tickets and other information, see rockportmusic. in Gloucester Harbor and sessions on the North Shore. achievements. org/hanneke-cassel. In 2003, O’Leary was co-recipient of a Massachusetts • Husband/wife duo Tommy and Saundra Cultural Council Traditional Arts Apprenticeship grant Borrow O’Sullivan lead off this month’s Burren Backroom that enabled him to study the traditional Irish sean You may think taking a loan is a last resort, series on Nov. 7. Tommy is known to many audiences nos singing style from Bridget Fitzgerald. He will be but the reality for many is that borrowing as the guitarist and vocalist for Sliabh Notes (with Matt accompanied by O’Carolan Etcetera, which comprises Cranitch and Donal Murphy) and as an accompanist flute, fiddle, guitar and hurdy-gurdy. will ultimately fund a significant portion of for uilleann piper Paddy Keenan, with whom he has On Nov. 27, the duo of Colleen White and Sean their children’s education. There are a lot of recorded two albums. Saundra, a native Texan, had Smith will come to the Carriage House. Of different options, both governmental and private, that considerable experience singing in choirs and as a soloist generations, White (flute, whistle, vocals) and Smith you may use to supplement what you or your during high school and college, but first became active in (guitar, bouzouki, bodhran, vocals) find common ground child has been able to save. The good news is Celtic music as a tenor drummer with a bagpipe band. in the song and instrumental traditions of Ireland, that loans are available and many students and This led her to explore the Irish tradition – and to an Scotland and England; their repertoire also includes Irish music retreat in 2007, where she met Tommy, contemporary songs from writers like Kate Rusby, their parents take advantage of them as a way who was one of the instructors. The two made a musi- Karine Polwart and Steve Tilston. White, who spent to help pay for college. cal connection, as well as a personal one (they were most of her childhood in Minnesota, came to Boston There are some resources that are often married three years later), and now live in Dingle. in 2007, and studied flute and whistle with Jimmy overlooked. For instance, you may have a One of the Irish folk revival’s most accomplished fid- Noonan. Smith has been part of the local folk music permanent life insurance policy with cash dlers, Kevin Burke, comes to the Backroom on Nov. scene for more than three decades, playing in various value that you could borrow against to help 9. Born in London but with family ties to Sligo and its bands and collaborations. Together, they’ve appeared 1 storied fiddle tradition, Burke made the round of ses- at BCMFest, Canton’s Open Book Coffeehouse, and supplement some of the costs of school . sions and other musical gatherings among London’s the Dorchester Irish Heritage Festival. Irish community as a teenager and became part of an Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. For ticket informa- A Sound Investment All-Ireland champion ceili band. Burke moved to New tion and other details, see goreplace.org/programs/ Despite challenges that come with financing York City at the invitation of singer-songwriter Arlo concerts-music. higher education, college is still a smart Guthrie, and there met a number of musicians, includ- • One of Boston’s more iconic singers, Pauline ing Irish ex-pats Joe Burke and Andy McGann, who Wells, will present her holiday-themed show “Home investment and there are many options to inspired him to take up music full-time. He eventually for Christmas” on Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Norwood help save for it. And when saving isn’t enough, wound up in Dublin’s fertile folk/trad scene, and became Theater. A deputy superintendent in the Cambridge there are plenty of other ways to help reduce a member of the groundbreaking Bothy Band; he went Police Department, Wells has become a familiar figure the costs or help you borrow the funds you’ll on to equally rewarding stints with Patrick Street and at local and regional charitable events, as well as at need for the education that is a priceless gift. the Celtic Fiddle Festival. A resident of Portland, Ore., Red Sox and Patriots games, and venues ranging from since 1980, Burke was awarded a National Heritage the Massachusetts State House to the National Mall in Fellowship in 2002. Washington, DC. Her songs include many Irish/Celtic Brian W. O’Sullivan is a registered repre- A master fiddler of a more recent generation,Oisín favorites such as “Tell Me Ma,” “Fields of Athenry” and sentative of and offers securities, invest- Mac Diarmada, along with his wife, pianist-step “Ride On,” as well as patriotic and other classic material. ment advisory and financial planning -ser dancer Samantha Harvey, and longtime friend and Proceeds from the concert will go to benefit Cops for vices through MML Investors Services, LLC, partner, accordionist-vocalist Seamus Begley, will Kids with Cancer. Go to norwoodstage.org for tickets Member SIPC (www.sipc.org). Supervisory perform on Nov. 21. Cork-born but greatly influenced and information. Address: 101 Federal Street, Suite 800, by the Sligo fiddle tradition, Mac Diarmada is a co- • Highland Dance Boston and The Boston Scot- founder of the acclaimed traditionally-rooted band tish Country Dancers will host a Scottish Ceilidh Boston, MA 02110. He may be reached at Téada, of which Begley – from a venerable musical on Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Irish Social Club of 617-479-0075 x331 or bosullivan@financial- family in West Kerry – has been an occasional member/ Boston (119 Park Street, West Roxbury). The event guide.com. guest. Classically-trained Californian Harvey has fully will include performances and ceilidh dancing for all. developed into an astute accompanist of Irish music, Music will be provided by The Celtic Beats and the New [email protected] and as a dancer in the sean-nos, Irish and Ottawa Hampshire Pipes and Drums. For information, e-mail www.commonwealthfinancialgroup.com Valley traditions. [email protected], or see highlanddanceboston. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and other org/hdbceilidh.html. information about Burren Backroom events, go to bur- bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 25

Commentary You can vote to eliminate the smell from the Washington sewer By Joe Leary rules but when President Obama such a march so close to the midterm elections is Special to the BIR nominated Merrick Garland for quite a coincidence, one that the CIA should be very Washington, DC, has been called a swamp by many the high court, McConnell refused skeptical of. Was it arranged and financed by Trump people, but it has now descended into sewer status to even consider his nomination operatives? We may never know, but it just didn’t hap- and its smell is spreading throughout the world. Take as mandated by the Constitution. pen by itself. Roiling up the unsettling immigration for examples the horrendous personal conduct of the The amorality is self-evident. Mc- issue is a favorite Republican fear tactic. president, the Republican hypocrisy on the making Connell has vowed as recently For all that, there is plenty of blame to go around. of the rising deficit, the complete politicization of our as last month to move to repeal Where are the influential Democratic voices challeng- immigration policy, and the disgraceful Kavanaugh Social Security. The Yahoo right ing this obvious amorality? We are two years before hearings last month. and the red-neck sheriffs seem to the next presidential elections, and except for a few In our capital, it seems that loyalty to the principles of Joe Leary be in charge. Where are the likes well-tarnished names, there is no cadre of nationally our Constitution and to all Americans comes second to of Senators Leverett Saltonstall known and respected nominees speaking out against loyalty to political parties. The villains in establishing and Henry Cabot Lodge? the Trumpian disgraces. this attitude are Donald Trump and 78-year-old Mitch At the Kavanaugh hearings, the Republicans hired When Lindsey Graham pointed at the Democratic McConnell, the GOP’s majority leader in the US Sen- a woman prosecutor from Arizona to question Dr. members of the judiciary committee and accused them ate who can trace his ancestry back to County Down Ford because it would look bad to have the men-only of creating a sham hearing, not one Democrat spoke in Northern Ireland. His demeanor is reminiscent of Republican contingent on the Judiciary panel do the up. He was allowed to scream, yell, and snarl without the hardest of hardline Unionist Bowler hat, Orange interrogation. But they fired her three quarters of any response. Tyranny is only successful when its Sash marchers in that small artificial province. the way into the hearing when they became nervous words and deeds go unanswered. Make no mistake: The Kavanaugh/Ford hearings that she was getting Kavanaugh close to admitting Republicans wave the American flag, pledge al- were run according to McConnell’s rules. Two octo- to too much. The questions were concluded before the legiance to the Constitution, and praise the US mili- genarians, Sen. Chuck Grassley and his Democratic complete answer was given. tary, but behind the scenes they do everything they colleague, Diane Feinstein, did as they were told. Then a screaming, snarling Sen. Lindsey Graham of can to suppress voting opportunities. Look at what The contrast between the calm, deliberate Dr. South Carolina went on a multi-minute tirade against is going on in Georgia, where something like 50,000 Christine Blasey Ford and the crying, moaning Judge the Democrats on the committee, condemning them voter registrations are being delayed; in Iowa, where Kavanaugh was stark. His challenging of Sen. Amy for cooking up Dr. Ford’s testimony. Graham seemed new regulations were enacted to make it much more Klobuchar when she asked him about his drinking more blinded by his loyalty to the Republican Party difficult to vote; and in Texas, where redistricting has - “Did you ever black out, Senator” - would have dis- than open to searching for the truth. stifled minority votes. qualified him in any job interview. And watching him This type of fact fixing is a trademark of the Trump On Tues., Nov. 6 we have the opportunity to vote frantically exclaiming “I am innocent” caused serious presidency. It has caused many to question the impetus and exercise our freedom to choose better leaders. We doubts about his mental control. Are we proud to have behind the trumping up of the so-called danger from owe it to each other to go to the polls before the smell such a man on our Supreme Court? the much-heralded migrant caravan in Mexico. The from the Washington sewer suffocates us. McConnell claims that he always following Senate president makes note of it in every speech. To have

BIR HISTORY TALKING TURKEY Fact or fiction about the mythic Feast of the Pilgrims? By Peter F. Stevens both his talent and of the occasion to a BIR Staff throng of dignitaries and citizens from Seasonal images of the Pilgrims and all over the nation. Wampanoag Indians gathered at long After several testimonials to the wooden tables piled with platters of Pilgrims and to the monument were food abound. You might think that delivered, John Boyle O’Reilly stepped Thanksgiving traditions do not reflect forward. A New York Times newspaper- anything Irish, but you would be wrong man recorded that “the introduction in that assumption. In fact, several of John Boyle O’Reilly elicited much scholars contend that without the Irish, enthusiasm.” the first Thanksgiving might never “Mr. O’Reilly was the poet of the day,” have happened. wrote the Timesman. The Irishman Tradition dictates that we celebrate cleared his throat and began to read Thanksgiving in November. While the aloud his 260-line ode, “The Pilgrim date of the legendary Pilgrim and Na- Fathers,” to a riveted throng: “Here, on tive American feast cannot be pinpoint- this rock, and on this sterile soil, Began ed with certainty, the Irish-American the kingdom not of Kings, but men…” historian Michael J. O’Brien, an author Emerging from his stanzas were and the main contributor to the Journal verbal shots at “privilege and Crown,” of the American Irish Historical Society redolent of a former Fenian who had from 1898 to 1941, contended that our been denied freedom in his own land, Thanksgiving began with the arrival of only to find it that of the Pilgrim Fathers. The Lyon (or Lion), a ship out of Dublin John Boyle O’Reilly recognized that in the midst of a brutal New England “The First Thanksgiving,” by J.G. Ferris. Library of Congress in Boston and New England, the Irish winter. The problem is that the Lyon were still clawing for their own foothold anchored off Massachusetts in Febru- So what to make of the “Irish claim?” New England Pilgrim, born not on the in America. His words in Plymouth ary 1631—not in 1621, the purported Some will dismiss it as a bit of blarney, mainland, but on a small island out at brimmed with the hope that for the year of the first feast. but Cusack maintains that “the Mas- sea.” The fact that the small island Irish, “all the idols” of the crown and In the 1700s in The Annals of the Year sachusetts historical records revealed was Ireland distressed Americans who Anglo-American privilege would fall. 1631, New England chronicler Reverend the tale, giving the Irish a fair claim to contended that only a “real American” – This Thanksgiving, as families with Thomas Prince wrote: saving Thanksgiving.” someone born on American soil – should Irish bloodlines gather to celebrate the “As the winter came on provisions are A Place at the Table deliver the paean to the Pilgrim Fathers holiday, they would do well to recall that very scarce (in the Massachusetts Bay), In 1889, at the ceremonies dedicating and Plymouth Rock. the Fenian and poet John Boyle O’Reilly and people necessitated to feed on clams the national monument at Plymouth The dedication of the Pilgrim Monu- claimed a place, so to speak, for the Irish and mussels and ground nuts and acorns, Rock, the broad-shouldered, musta- ment garnered nationwide coverage by at the Pilgrims’ historical table. and those were got with much difficulty chioed poet who rose to deliver the the press, and O’Reilly was under some during the winter season….on February main speech was not someone bearing pressure to deliver a poem worthy of 5th, the very day before the appointed the name Bradford, Alden, Winslow, or fast, in comes the ship Lion, Mr. William Carver. Nor was the speaker a celebrat- Pierce, master, now arriving at Nantas- ed Yankee author such as Oliver Wendell ket laden with provisions. Upon which Holmes. The man who delivered the County Donegal Association joyful occasion the day is changed and ode to the Pilgrims was an Irishman –a ordered to be kept (on the 22nd) as a day Boston Irishman. John Boyle O’Reilly of Thanksgiving.” had been a Fenian rebel, and a British of Greater Boston What murkily endures is whether a Army cavalryman condemned to death Day of Thanksgiving in 1631or the cus- by a British military court for treason. tomary date of 1621 is correct. Much of Only his daring escape from a prison in ANNUAL REUNION & BANQUET the timeline imbroglio hinges upon the Western Australia had brought him to accounts of Prince and Pilgrim leader the same shore where he now prepared Saturday, November 3, 2018 William Bradford and when and how the to honor a vivid national symbol: Plym- event morphed into the annual harvest outh Rock. feast celebrated on the fourth Thursday O’Reilly, the nationally acclaimed at Florian Hall, Hallet Street, Dorchester, MA of November. According to John Cusack’s editor of the Boston Pilot, an essayist, “How the Irish Saved Thanksgiving” and a novelist, had carved out a notable (Irish Central, Nov. 23, 2017), “It turns literary career in Boston. Not everyone Family style roast beef dinner out, from records at the Massachusetts was pleased with the selection of O’Reilly served at 7:15 p.m. Historical Society, that the wife of one of to write a poem honoring the “Pilgrim the prominent Plymouth Rock brethren Fathers.” Locally, letters to editors and was the daughter of a Dublin merchant people of “polite society” objected that Music by Erin’s Melody with Margaret Dalton and that it was he who chartered the ves- a “foreign-born poet would write and deliver the words “for such an important sel, loaded it with food and dispatched it Call President Maryann McGonagle at 781-521-9001 or to Plymouth.” occasion”; former Governor Long, the Further, the issue is that the Lyon did President of the Pilgrim Society, admon- our Chairman, Michael McLaughlin at 781-585-3230 arrive in early 1631 “at Nantasket” with ished dismayed dissenters nationwide sorely needed provisions, but this date and with his rejoinder that John Boyle Donation $60 per person the earlier date of 1621 remain at odds. O’Reilly was in many ways “a genuine Page 26 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Heavy smoking tied to poor oral health of Famine victims Irish Famine victims Smoking was evidently an were heavy smokers, an important part of life for addiction that caused bad- these people, a habit that ly rotten teeth, research- they could enjoy amongst ers from the University deprived social conditions of Otago and Queen’s and a very harsh and University Belfast, in difficult life, but it may Ireland, have discovered. have contributed to their The research was carried ill health,” she added, out on the teeth of 363 noting that “despite a adult victims of the Great vast amount of historical Irish Famine, who died records surviving from in the Kilkenny Union the nineteenth century, Workhouse between 1847 very little is known about and 1851. Their remains the experienced living were discovered in an conditions of the poor and unmarked mass burial laboring classes.” ground by archaeologists Said Dr. Jonny Geber, in 2005. from the Department The findings show poor of Anatomy at the Uni- oral health among most of versity of Otago, “We the famine victims, with believe the bad condition 80 per cent of the adult re- of the teeth studied was mains showing evidence because of widespread of tooth decay, and over pipe smoking in both men half missing teeth. There and women, rather than were also revealing signs their diet of potatoes and of pipe smoking marks on milk, as a comparative their teeth. study of the 20th century This is the first study population on the same that has explored the re- diet didn’t have the same lationship between smok- evidence of poor oral ing and oral health in an health. Our study,” he archaeological sample of added,” shows that it is a historical population. not only diet that affects Professor Eileen Mur- your oral health, but phy, from the School many other factors—and of Natural and Built we believe that smoking Environment at Queen’s was a major contributing Portion Of The Proceeds to Benefit University Belfast, says factor in the Kilkenny that this research is population sample.” t h e B o s t o n P o l i c e S ta t i o n 11 important because the Lastly, he said, “the Children's Christmas Party current clinical under- high frequency of clay standing of how smoking pipe facets or marks from affects oral health is not clenching a pipe between fully understood, and this the teeth in many of the For More Info or To Purchase Tickets discovery adds to that skeletons was evidence discourse. of smoking in both males Please call Pat (781) 534-3919 Or Visit us at: “As well as this,” Pro- and females. The current fessor Murphy said, “the study adds to the grow- W w w. J o h n M c D e r m o t t N i g h t . c o m study also gives us a ing body of evidence that unique insight into the demonstrates that smok- living conditions of the ing is not only bad for your working classes in Victo- health, but it is also bad rian Irish society at the for your teeth.” time of the Great Famine. Subscribe Today to Boston’s Own Hometown Newspaper

A Subscription to the Boston Irish Reporter Makes an Ideal Gift for Any Special Occasion. Why Not Order One Today for Yourself, or for That Special Irish Someone in Your Life? WHERE BOYS LEARN TO BECOME Mail to: Boston Irish Reporter 150 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 We accept phone orders men with your Visa or Mastercard. for others Call 617-436-1222 Or Fax this order form to 617-825-5516

Order today, and we will send a gift card in your name. OPEN HOUSES Enclose $35.00 for each gift subscription.

Name______ARRUPE DIVISION: GRADES 7-8 OCTOBER 14 & NOVEMBER 7 Address______

City______State______Zip______HIGH SCHOOL: GRADES 9-11

Gift from______OCTOBER 21

Charge to Visa______Mastercard______www.bchigh.edu/visit Card # ______150 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125 Exp ______bostonirish.com November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 27 Ireland Northwest businesses join investment mission to US “The North West City region is open for business!” County Council who will be jointly leading the delega- constructively to post-brexit challenges but to avail of That’s the collective message that nine businesses tion with John Boyle, the Mayor of Derry City and a the opportunities that will exist for the region given from across the Donegal, Derry, and Strabane Council Strabane District Councillor. our unique geographical location,” says O’Domhnaill. areas will be sharing when they join a high-level trade “The collaborative approach undertaken by both “The businesses participating in this year’s trade mis- and investment delegation to Boston and Philadelphia Councils over the last number of year’s means that sion will showcase the ambitious, diverse, resilient and this month. as a region we are well positioned to not only respond outward looking nature of our SME sector in Ireland Among the companies travelling from Donegal to Northwest,” says Mayor Boyle. spend the week of Nov. 12 in the two US cities are Triona Design, Fire Cloud 365 and CFish. While Atlantic Hub, Joule Group, Northern Ireland Clinical Research Sci- JOHN C. GALLAGHER AUTO BODY REPAIRS (617) 825-1760 ences, Automated Control Systems, Baronscourt Brew- (617) 825-2594 ing Company, and Bridie Mullin Ltd. from the Derry and Insurance Agency FAX (617) 825-7937 Strabane area will also be taking part alongside both AUTO INSURANCE Councils, third level and further education providers Specializing in Automobile Insurance for over a half and development organizations from across the North century of reliable service to the Dorchester community. West, including Ulster University, Letterkenny Insti- tute of Technology, the North West Regional College New Accounts Welcome and Udaras na Gaeltachta. 1471 Dorchester Ave. at Fields Corner MBTA Free Pick-Up & Delivery Service “The North West City Region has a compelling busi- ness proposition for any outward looking global busi- Phone: 617-265-8600 ness in that we are uniquely located for ease of access “We Get Your Plates” 150 Centre Street to both the UK and European markets” says Councillor Dorchester, MA 02124 Seamus O’Domhnaill, Cathaoirleach of the Donegal

Excellence in Private Care Curtin Home Care, Inc. (CHC) is Boston, Massachusetts’ premiere private Home Care Agency. Our professional services are highly personalized and staffed by carefully selected and screened personnel. Geraghty We employ a wide range of medical staff including RN’s, LPN’s, CNA’s and Therapists. All personnel are licensed/ ASSOCIATES certified as well as insured and bonded. In addition to Bos- ton, we provide services to surrounding cities and towns. PROPERTY MANAGERS Our priority is assisting individuals remain in their home in a safe and comfortable manner. Studio and 1-Bedroom Apartments Please call 617-307-7751 today for a complementary initial consultation. Available in the desirable

Now Hiring Experienced RN’s, LPN’s and CNA’s. Please email resume to: Cedar Grove section of Dorchester. [email protected] www.CurtinHomeCare.com Studios reasonably priced; 1-bedroom units; heat and hot water included. EIRE Short walk to the Red Line. pub Free off-street Parking. Washing Machines 795 Adams St. • Dorchester and Dryers in building. “President’s Choice” Call Michael at 617-364-4000 Serving Lunch & Dinner Geraghty Associates, Inc. Every day, Property Managers 7 days a week P.O. Box 52, Readville, MA 02137-0052 Tel: 617-364-4000 Fax: 617-364-3157 Photography by Image Photo Service • Weddings • Anniversaries • Banquets • Portraits • Reunions • Groups • Families • Special Occasions (617) 291-6609

Harry Brett • Margaret Brett Hastings The official photographers of the Boston Irish Reporter Page 28 November 2018 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com