March 2018 Boston’s hometown VOL. 29 #3 journal of Irish culture. $2.00 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2018 bostonirish.com Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. March 17: thoughts of a patron saint, Sinn Fein milestones for Boston’s Irish heritage duo has By peter F. StevenS a tough Bir StaFF As St. Patrick’s Day 2018 nears, the “wear- challenge ing of the green” will hold sway in Boston and By Joe Leary environs. Still, amid all SpeciaL to the Bir the genuine or faux pride Political parties fre- on display in pubs, along quently undergo changes parades, and as part of in their leadership, but all other manner of rev- rarely do they completely elry, it’s a sure bet that reverse the face of their a great many celebrants public image. With Mar- are unaware that March tin McGuinness’s death 17 teems with uniquely and Gerry Adams’s res- Boston milestones. ignation as leader of Sinn Fein in Ireland, the The Big Parade: party is embarking on a Landmark Tradition dramatically fresh course “The Parade.” In Bos- in the midst of dangerous ton, the phrase means times. one thing – South Boston’s The party’s new lead- annual St. Patrick’s Day ers, two young women in event. The 2018 march their 40s, will be met in marks the event’s latest the North by the aging fol- incarnation in a tradition lowers of Ian Paisley, and that began in 1901. in the South by competi- The milestone notwith- tors who only remember standing, the procession the violent years, not the that so many enjoy today times of successful peace did not arrive easily for initiatives. This will be the Boston Irish, who long a time of difficulty for had to battle prejudice be- them both as they move fore they could have their to solidify their positions celebration. Have their in the minds of their con- parade, Boston’s Irish stituents while also deal- would, and proudly so. ing with serious major As Irish-Catholic issues facing the island. The Good Friday peace immigrants landed in Marching along Broadway in 2016. Chris Lovett photo Boston in ever-increasing plan, agreed to in 1998 numbers in the 1840s and Jameson’s. No one build- Atlantic. It was the 18th by popular vote in both staked their claim to new ing, however, would long Lynch, Flaherty to ‘pinch-hit’ as Breakfast hosts for a good reason: The 17th the North and South, is lives in America, they serve to hold the growing US Congressman Stephen Lynch and Boston City had fallen on Sunday and under attack; a return to were soon thumbing their numbers of local Irish Councillor At-Large Michael Flaherty will share host- organizers were subject to complete British control noses at Yankee antipathy longing to celebrate the ing duties at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast in Boston’s strict Blue Laws. of the North looms a real to any commemorations of day in a bigger way. South Boston. The political roast — set for Sun., March So, on Monday, the proces- possibility, and Brexit of- St. Patrick’s Day. One of There was only one 18 before the South Boston parade— will be staged sion commenced with the fers a severe threat to all the early manifestations way, Boston Irish leaders at Ironworkers Local 7 Union Hall, where Lynch, a rattle of drums, the cries people, North and South. of the local Irish love for decided, to include not just of pipes, and the pounding Forty-seven-year of former ironworker before taking on elected office, has Mary Lou McDonald, their “old sod’s” patron Irish men, but also women previously hosted the festivities. More, page 3. notes of brass bands. saint was the Shamrock and children, in a celebra- Cheering throngs greet- representing her district Society, a social club tion of St. Patrick. Their the history-making “Big along and above South ed the waves of march- in Dublin in the Irish that gathered on March solution was a parade. Parade” in 1901. Boston’s streets. Banners ers as they streamed parliament, was elected 17 to defiantly toast the The unofficial St. Patrick’s On March 18, 1901 awash with glittering along Southie’s streets, (Continued on page 6) saint and “sing the old Day marches that wound – yes, March 18 – the shamrocks, harps, and wound across the bridge, songs,” the revelers’ voices through every Irish ward blare of brass bands and images of the patron saint and surged into down- pealing from Dooley’s, in the 1870s, 1880s, and pipers and the stomps himself nodded in the town Boston to the ear- the Mansion House, and 1890s set the stage for of marchers’ feet pealed gusts racing in from the (Continued on page 8) ‘Open the Door for Three’ will strut their music at St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn (March 15-17) By Sean Smith Patrick’s Day Celtic So- up is Brenda Castles, a Brian O’Donovan is the Open the Door for Three SpeciaL to the Bir journ” production, which concertina player from creator, producer, and comprises Maine-based Open the Door for takes place March 15-17 County Meath; Scottish host of “A St. Patrick’s Day spouses Kieran O’Hare Three, a trio of Irish musi- with shows at The Cabot harpist/keyboardist/vo- Celtic Sojourn,” which fol- (uilleann pipes, flute, cians whose penchant for Theatre in Beverly, the calist Maeve Gilchrist; lows the spirit and format whistle) and Liz Knowles scholarship complements Zeiterion Performing Arts and vocalist/guitarist of his long-running radio (fiddle) and Dublin-born St. Patrick’s statue over- their talents for arrange- Center in New Bedford, Keith Murphy, who serves show, as does his an- Pat Broaders (bouzouki, looks Clew Bay from ment and performance, and Sanders Theatre at as music director for the nual “A Christmas Celtic vocals), now a Chicago Croagh Patrick in Co. will be a featured act in Harvard University. show. Sojourn” production in resident, all of whom have Mayo. Judy Enright sur- the 13th annual “A St. Also in this year’s line- WGBH-FM broadcaster December. (Continued on page 16) veys the scene, Page 25. 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 March 2018 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER bostonirish.com THOSE THREE LITTLETHOSE THREEWORDS LITTLE Glendalough, County Wicklow WORDS It’sGlendalough, easy County– all Wicklowyou have to do is say, “I’m coming home!” Home to the festivals. To the traditional music. To the pubs. To the majestic landscapes. It’s easy – all you have to do is say, “I’m coming home!” HomeYou know to the the ones festivals. you’ve dreamed To ofthe all thistraditional time. The castles music. silhouetted To the against pubs. fiery Tosunsets, the the majestic staggering landscapes. beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, the tumbling, basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway. And all surrounded by those legendary 100,000 welcomes. From the friends Youyou knowhaven’t the seen ones in you’ve years, todreamed the ones of who’ve all this beentime. counting The castles down silhouetted the days. against fiery sunsets, the staggering beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, the tumbling, basalt columns of the Sound good? Then give in to temptation and start planning your trip home today… Giant’s Causeway. And all surrounded by those legendary 100,000 welcomes. From the friends you haven’t seen in years, to the ones who’ve been counting down the days. Find out more at Sound good? Then give in to temptation and start planning your trip home today…Ireland.com Find out more at Ireland.com bostonirish.com March 2018 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER Page 3 James Brett is Eire Society’s pick for its 2018 Gold Medal The Éire Society of Bos- the award, and in 2016, ton has chosen Jim Brett, the medal was presented a Dorchester native who to Mary P.