November 2013 Boston’s hometown VOL. 24 #11 journal of Irish culture. $1.50 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2013 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. bostonirish.com BIR cites five Irish Heritage Fest makes strong return By sean smith for Boston Dorchester’s Irish Heritage Festival enjoyed a success- ful return on October 13, as Irish Honors crowds of Irish culture lovers The Boston Irish took in music and dance per- Reporter hosted its formances, browsed through fourth annual Bos- various vendors’ booths, and ton Irish Honors on socialized in the warmth of a Fri., Oct. 25, at the picture-perfect autumn day. Seaport Hotel on the The festival, which is orga- South Boston wa- nized and run by community terfront. The event, volunteers and supported which marked the largely through local busi- 23nd anniversary of nesses, went on hiatus last the BIR, drew more fall, when its leadership felt than 300 persons a need to regroup after the to the mid-day lun- event’s first two years. This cheon. year, the festival was forced In his remarks for to relocate to the Florian Hall the program, event area of Hallet Street because of construction taking place chairman Edmund at the original site in Adams F. Murphy III of Put- Therese Murray Corner. nam Investments, By early afternoon, the called the luncheon scene was bustling, as festi- “a welcome moment valgoers of all ages lingered to embrace and cel- in Florian Hall, or strolled ebrate our shared around the hall’s parking lot heritage by honoring or the McKeon Post AmVets men and women and lot across the street, while families who embody Irish songs and tunes of all the best qualities of varieties – performed by a ros- the Boston Irish,” a ter of acts almost exclusively A time to dance at the fair. Photo by Sean Smith reference to the Bos- Robert Mulligan local – sounded from three ton Irish Honorees: different stages, and groups months ago. Several speakers One of the festival co- Strong,” as students from Massachusetts Sen- of young dancers jigged and and performers paid tribute organizers, Mairin Ui Cheide, local Irish dance schools ate President Therese capered in front of apprecia- to victims and others whose underscored the theme when – wearing yellow T-shirts Murray; Robert Mul- tive audiences. lives had been most directly she officially opened the day’s emblazoned with “Dorches- ligan, Gerald Mulli- But this year’s festival also affected by the tragedy, and to events by singing “Amazing ter Strong” above a picture gan, the late Joseph had a solemn aspect to it, the dedication and bravery of Grace” – in hope and respect, of ghillies (Irish soft shoes) Mulligan & Family; as an occasion to celebrate first responders. Around the she said, “for all that has hap- – processed from in front of and the late noted the community spirit and festival grounds, the “Boston pened and all that we as a city Florian Hall to the McKeon Boston attorney John resilience that had been on Strong” slogan was almost as have endured.” lot stage, waving pom-poms P. Driscoll, Jr. display in the wake of the Bos- conspicuous as Irish phrases In the early afternoon, the and carrying signs with Said Chairman ton Marathon bombings six or Boston sports team logos. festival staged “Dorchester (Continued on page 6) Joseph Mulligan Murphy: “Our honor- ees are distinguished for their dedication to public service and A Walsh vs. a Connolly for Boston’s new mayor excellence in their By Gintautas Dumcius in 20 years, after Mayor chosen fields. Their news eDitor Thomas Menino became the stories remind us Before the gloves came off first Italian-American to hold of how far we have late in the Boston mayoral the office. Both candidates come in this ‘city on race – City Councillor At- also identify themselves as a hill’ – a place that Large John Connolly pointing progressive Democrats. continues to be our to negative mailers from an During the campaign, the chosen home. They outside group trashing his up- Reporter asked the two can- Gerald Mulligan connect us to our bringing and state Rep. Marty didates what their plans ancestors and the Walsh accusing the Connolly would be for Dorchester and difficult, but coura- campaign of phone calls test- Mattapan once they got into geous decisions they ing negative messages about office next year. Walsh, who made to set sail or him – the candidates more would be the first mayor take flight for a new often than not agreed with One will be the new mayor: John Connolly and Marty from Dorchester since John land of opportunity.” each other on the issues. Walsh Photo by Chris Lovett B. Hynes in the 1950s, said A package of photos Voters will go to the polls he would target Codman and stories about the next Tuesday to choose be- from Savin Hill for 16 years, council’s Education Commit- Square and the Blue Hill Av- Honors luncheon be- tween the two, who have while Connolly is an attorney tee. If either one is elected, enue area, which continually gins on Page 17. focused on their biographies: and former teacher who has control of the top job in City struggle with high unemploy- John P. Driscoll, Jr. Walsh has been a state served on the City Council Hall will return to an Irish- ment and lack of opportunity. 1932-2009 lawmaker and labor leader for six years and chaired the American for the first time (Continued on page 6) Stop paying big bank fees! Switch to Simply Free Checking at Mt. Washington Bank and start saving today! Switch to Mt. 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Box 52, Readville, MA 02137-0052 www.aisling-gallery.com Tel: 617-364-4000 Fax: 617-364-3157 Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2013 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR Page 3 Abbey Theatre leaders cite Boston connection in asking help for Irish icon By eD Forry important events that we will observe,” Bir PuBlisher the theatre leader said. “Next year is our Leaders of Ireland’s legendary Abbey 110th anniversary; 2015 is the 150th Theatre visited Boston last month for anniversary of the birth of our founder, the second in a series of annual visits WB Yeats; and the big one is 2016 – the to develop support for Ireland’s national centenary of the Easter Rising. The Ab- theatre. bey was in the midst of the debate about Irish Senator Fiach Mac Conghail, Irish culture that went on during the who serves as the Abbey’s director founding of the new Irish state.” (“Stiúrthóir”) was hosted by Tom and MacConghail said the foundation Shelly O’Neill, who together chair a also supports an extensive educational Boston chapter in support of the Ab- component, and partners with schools bey Theatre Foundation. The O’Neills in Ireland to bring art to students. “We were joined by Mac Conghail and Abbey would like to do this with the great city Theatre chairman Bryan McMahan at of Boston,” he told the gathering. “In a dinner for some 40 guests at #9 Park partnership with the Boston chapter, we At the October 28 Boston reception at #9 Park in support of the Abbey The- atre Foundation are (l-r): Abbey director Senator Fiach Mac Conghail, Jay on Beacon Hill. are planning to partner with schools at a cost of about $100,000 over the next three Cashman, and Boston chapter organizers Shelly O’Neill and Tom O’Neill. MacConghail said that at the Abbey, Photo by Ed Forry “We try to reflect and tell stories from years. We hope to build up to the great centenary anniversary in April 2016.” Ireland in an entertaining way, and citizens, and present world renowned of the most significant theatres of the we’re proud to continue that legacy.