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May 2013 Boston’s hometown VOL. 24 #5 journal of Irish culture. $1.50 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2013 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. bostonirish.com Commentary Stronger thAn ever By Bill Forry Managing Editor The question has been posed it doesn’t exist in all, or even in dozens of times in the last week most, of Dorchester. from media who descended It doesn’t find its genesis in on our Dorchester neighbor- the sacristy of a church, or the hood from all over the world gymnasium of a school, or the in the wake of the Marathon stacks at the Adams Street bombings: What is it about library. It doesn’t spring from the Richard family —and their seeds sprinkled amid the fields Ashmont-Adams community of Garvey Park or the marshy —that is so special? reeds that line Pope Park, where The truth is that the vibrant, eight-year-old Martin Richard caring community that revolves and his siblings chased balls around families like the Rich- and birds and flag football belts. ards of Carruth Street can’t In old Dorchester, life cen- be bottled, capped, and shared tered around these things: Park with the world. Try though we benches and pews and three- will, that unique chemistry decker porches where children can’t be defined on a t-shirt or a and their charges congregated Facebook page. It can’t even be and found common bond based claimed for all of our neighbor- on a shared faith, a shared hood, because— quite frankly, (Continued on page 3) After the dancing: A time to take stock From March 24-31, Boston * * * was host to thousands of Irish At this time last year, Melissa dancers — as well as Irish dance McCarthy of Norfolk was get- teachers, family members and ting used to sporting the title friends — from the US and all of “No. 1,” having finished first around the globe for the annual at the Worlds in the age 15-16 World Irish Dancing Champi- category. This year, McCarthy onships. The competition, which competed in the girls under 17 was centered in the John B. division and came in third. Hynes Convention Center and The question was obvious, Sheraton Boston Hotel, featured but had to be asked: Was she solo and team dancing across disappointed? The answer was many age groups an unequivocal “No.” The Boston Irish Reporter’s “I was very excited about the Sean Smith caught up with whole experience,” she said. “My several local participants for particular competition was full Cherry blossoms are a sure sign of spring in Ireland. Travel column, Page 14. their perspectives on the event. (Continued on page 7) Judy Enright photo Authors rue latest BC archive ruling After the US Supreme Court which reads in part: terviews could be and how this declined to consider an appeal “We began this fight almost PSNI (Police Service of North- filed on behalf of Ed Moloney exactly two years ago and all ern Ireland) request has both and Anthony McIntyre that along the campaign has run on dubious motives and derives the justices take up a lower two tracks, one legal, the other from a broader failure of the court’s refusal to grant them political. The legal track has parties in the North to agree legal standing in their efforts to almost come to an end but the on a way to deal with the past block an attempt by the police political campaign continues. in such a way as to allow the in Northern Ireland to gain “In recent weeks the United future to begin… access to their interviews with States government has been “All of those involved in this Cate McGrail, president of the Eire Society of Boston, and IRA activists that have been made aware of just how dam- campaign can be assured that Seamus Mulligan flank Sister Lena Deevy in a picture taken archived at Boston College, the aging to the political situation it is not over yet.” at a gala salute to the founder and longtime head of the Irish two men issued a statement, in Northern Ireland these in- International Immigration Center. A page of photos, Page 17. Stop paying big bank fees! Switch to Totally FREE Checking at Mt. Washington Bank and start saving today! Switch to Mt. 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Page 2 May 2013 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Geraghty ASSOCIATES PROPERTY MANAGERS Studio and 1-Bedroom Apartments Available in the desirable Cedar Grove section of Dorchester. Studios reasonably priced; 1-bedroom units; heat and hot water included. Short walk to the Red Line. Free off-street Parking. Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner every day of the week Washing Machines Kitchen open nightly and Dryers in building. until 10:45 p.m. Call Michael at 617-364-4000 GERARD’S ADAMS CORNER GERAGhTY Associates, INC. 772 - 776 Adams Street Property Managers Dorchester, MA 02124 P.O. Box 52, Readville, MA 02137-0052 617-282-6370 Tel: 617-364-4000 Fax: 617-364-3157 Subscribe Today to Boston’s Own Hometown Newspaper Boston IrIsh REPORTER 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? We accept phone orders with your Visa or Mastercard. 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. Enclose $35.00 for each gift subscription. name _____________________________________________________________ “Landfall,” Lithograph by John Skelton (1924-2009) Matted and framed in custom moulding Address ___________________________________________________________ measuring 29” x 22” $195 City _____________________________state ________ Zip ________________ Gift from __________________________________________________________ Charge to Visa ____________________________________________________ Art of Ireland 229 Lincoln Street (Rt. 3A) Mastercard _______________________________________________ Hingham, Massachusetts, 02043 Card # ____________________________________________________________ 781-749-0555 Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday noon - 5:00 pm Exp ______________________________________________________________ email: [email protected] www.aisling-gallery.com Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2013 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER Page 3 Stronger the Clock in Peabody Square 2:50 than ever Marathon Monday (Continued from page 1) The clock was stopped and has been A motionless presence in our midst struggle and, typically, a shared ancestry. As we remember Martin, Krystle, Lu It was a strong and potent formula for survival, And then Sean but it could also prove brittle. Many found cause to And the scores of others who were injured leave this place because — strong though it was— it wasn’t strong enough to withstand forces of change, And the scores of others who ran towards, not away. We wish them the strength, determination, and upheaval, the gravitational pull of a different place, heart the promise— often empty—of something better beyond Time has stood still since that day of a Marathon runner. the old neighborhood. As we have lived in the moment. Family, friends, neighbors, and complete strang- The chemistry that bonds modern Dorchester resi- Some of those moments have been hard ones: ers, dents together is stronger than the ones our parents Waiting for word from the doctors we hold out cups of water and slices of orange and grandparents knew. It’s more lasting because it’s Asking helplessly “how can we help” as the clock marks their long journey forward. leavened with people like Bill and Denise Richard and Hugging each other through tears, scores of like-minded couples for whom community is because what else can you do? And we will be with them all the way. not fixed to a single creed, schoolhouse, or country of origin. In Ashmont-Adams, the warren of side streets that The clock could stay stopped forever, 2:51 cradles the Richard clan in its bosom in this time of But that is not who we are. their loss and grief, the collective identity and spirit of We still mourn. 2:52 the place have been forged by the people themselves, We do not forget. by thousands of actions, large and small. All of them But the clock must start running again 2:53 have been, at their roots, acts of affection: Bus trips to As Bill and Denise, Janey and Henry, Pawtucket to watch minor league baseball, but mostly begin a new race, to belt out sudsy sing-alongs on the ride home; backyard on an unfamiliar course. Vicki Kayser Rugo turkey fry competitions and chili cook-offs; the early Dorchester June scramble to build a Dot Day parade float, complete with a replica of their beloved Peabody Square clock. Those who populate this place don’t gaze past each Martin Richard was a other into some suburban mirage in the distance. In one huge sports fan who another, they recognize common cause and recall shared wore his favorite Red victories— signature buildings, thriving restaurants, Sox player’s jersey to T stations and convenience stores, bike racks and bike school the week before stores, and an old, rusting, four-faced sidewalk clock Patriot’s Day.

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