June 2018 Boston’s hometown VOL. 29 #6 journal of Irish culture. $2.00 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2018 bostonirish.com Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. A big ‘yes’ by the Irish on repeal of abortion ban Vote is 66 percent in favor; bishop calls result ‘chilling,’ and then asks for ‘healing’ By GReGoRy Katz victory for women’s rights in a and Renata BRito traditionally Catholic country. aSSociated pReSS The size of the win exceeded DUBLIN – Irish voters last expectations and will make it month overwhelmingly re- much easier for Irish women pealed a constitutional ban on to obtain abortions legally for abortions and asked the coun- the first time. It will also make try’s parliament to enact laws it easier for the government that reflect the popular will to claim a mandate for more and make abortions legal in the liberal laws when the divisive country for the first time, final issue goes to parliament later results from a historic referen- this year. dum showed the day after the The vote removes a 1983 May 26 vote. amendment that required Irish Elections official Barry Ryan authorities to defend the lives of said more than 1.4 million vot- a woman and a fetus equally on ers, or 66 percent of those who almost all abortions. cast valid ballots, favored re- Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, pealing the Eighth Amendment a medical doctor who cam- of the Irish Constitution while paigned for the repeal, called roughly 724,000 wanted to keep the result the culmination of a the abortion ban in place. “quiet revolution,” adding, “the Jubilation was the order of the day after the “yes” referendum vote on May 25. AP photo The outcome was a historic (Continued on page 13) All roads lead to Canton for Irish Festival By Sean Smith of constant touring, the release Special to the BiR of 13 albums and, most of all, Irrepressible, nationally re- a crowd-rousing mix of Celtic, nowned Celtic rock band Gaelic country and rock/pop. The Storm will return to the Boston group – Steve Twigger, Patrick Irish Festival when the annual Murphy, Ryan Lacey, Pete Pur- event takes place June 2 and 3 vis, and Katie Grennan – has at the Irish Cultural Centre of regularly placed at number one New England in Canton. Also headlining the festival are Festival schedule, Page 16. bluegrass-folk-Irish performers JigJam from Offaly and Galway in the Billboard World Music traditional band BackWest. albums chart and appeared on As always, Boston’s wealth of the same bill with such acts as local music and dance perform- the Zac Brown Band, the Goo ers will be well represented, and Goo Dolls, Emmylou Harris, Lean on us, friends families and children will find and Lyle Lovett, and at various tell Kieran Jordan plenty of activities and amuse- events and venues including the One of our town’s most trea- ments during the weekend, in- Telluride Bluegrass Festival, sured artists, the Irish dancer cluding a special “living history” and Milwaukee’s Summerfest. Offaly-based quartet JigJam will be among the headliners at Kieran Jordan, shown above recreation of early 20th-century JigJam’s four members – Ja- this weekend’s Boston Irish Festival. with her husband, Vincent rural Ireland. mie McKeogh, Cathal Guinan, All-Ireland titles at Fleadh and a lively stage presence, not Crotty, is fighting a debilitating Gaelic Storm, which will close Daithi Melia, and Gavin Strappe Cheoil competitions. To this to mention dapper wardrobes – illness while her many friends out the festival on June 3, has – have considerable traditional they add an appealing blend of a combination that, along with are pitching in to help them built a solid, loyal following Irish credentials, having col- bluegrass and Americana styles get through the crisis. Page 4. through more than two decades lectively earned more than 20 (Continued on page 13) Did you once tuck away some punts? A bonus in euros is awaiting your call By ed FoRRy common currency used across a In late May, 100 Irish punts BiR puBliSheR large part of Europe. At the time, were worth about $147, and If you have some old fashioned Ireland went on an aggressive Ireland’s Central Bank still Irish currency, either punt (at campaign to convert the old has what the Irish media term left) banknotes or coins, you money for the new, but many a “treasure chest of cash wait- may have a small windfall com- of the old coins and banknotes ing to be claimed.” For all that, ing your way. remain unclaimed and unused. there’s little likelihood the full It was 15 years ago that Ire- And it’s a safe bet that many reserve will ever be converted. land made a sweeping change Boston Irish have their own In 2002, the Central Bank to its legal currency, replacing little hidden troves where the set aside a pot of money when the Irish punt with the euro, the old money sits. (Continued on page 9) 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. 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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 June 2018 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR bostonirish.com bostonirish.com June 2018 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR Page 3 COMINGS, GOINGS, AND DOINGS Walsh returns again to Galway, are making plans for a fall trip to New Orleans for IN/USA ’18, the sixth annual gathering of Irish Network groups from takes part in civic functions across the country. The national um- brella group consists of 19 chapters with Mayor Martin Walsh 3,527 members, and allows members to returned to Ireland last connect with their peers across the coun- month for a five-day visit, try. The Boston chapter is headed this his second international year by co-presidents Cathal Conlon trip as mayor, during and Victoria Denoon. which he received several ceremonial awards and participated in the unveil- ing of Kilkerrin Rock. Oyster Harbors Golf Tournament The son of parents from to benefit MGH’s Durant Fellowship Connemara, Walsh spoke The annual Thomas S. Durant, MD, on the ties between Boston golf tournament is set for Mon., June and his family’s home 18, at the elegant Oyster Harbors Club country, according to a in Osterville on the Cape. There’ll be city of Boston press re- a shotgun start at 1 pm. The tourna- lease, highlighting the ment chairman is Bill Reilly Jr., and importance of cultural honorary chairman is Dr. Roman De- richness, acceptance of Sanctis. The event benefits the Durant immigrants, and economic Fellowship for Refugee Medicine at Mass partnerships. General Hospital. Pictured above, Tom Mike McCarron and Pat “Doc” Walsh “Ireland and the Irish Durant (1928-2001) spent his life bring- at the Orphans benefit. culture hold a special place ing medical treatment and hope to sites in my heart, and are a of catastrophe and chaos in some of the Hearts for Orphans benefit large part of Boston’s over- world’s most forsaken and forlorn spots. raises $144k for its cause all identity as well,” Walsh To register for the tournamen, contact said in a statement. “Our The 9th annual Irish Hearts for Or- Mayor Martin Walsh is shown with city officials Mary Sugrue at [email protected], or phans benefit dance on April 15 at the economic and cultural ties register online at tinyurl.com/y7zym3pn. to Ireland are undeniable, during his visit to Galway City Hall on May 11. Boston Marriott Quincy raised more Photo courtesy Mayor’s office than $144,000, organizers said. Since and it’s beneficial for Bos- Boston Magazine is out with a listing 2010, this annual event has supported ton to continue to embrace, Clinton, Richard Daley, joined local dignitaries of what it terms “The 100 Most Influen- orphanages in the Dominican Republic, support and learn from Nelson Mandela, Ms.