June 2019 Boston’s hometown VOL. 30 # 6 journal of Irish culture. $2.00 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2019 bostonirish.com Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. Quarantined, they died; now, they are remembered By Bill Brett research of historic records and Carol Beggy helped tell the story of BOSTON HARBOR the quarantine station — Some 600 people gath- on Deer Island, gave the ered on a bright Satur- keynote address at the day morning of the 2019 ceremony, a 2,500-word Memorial Day weekend recounting of the chapters to dedicate a permanent that made up the full story. marker on Deer Island He had noted earlier that to those Irish emigrants historical accounts say who some 170 years ago that in the 1670s, some left their island during 500 Native Americans who the Great Hunger (“An had been captured near Gorta Mor”) for the United modern-day Natick during States only to be too sick King Philip’s War were in- to enter the country when terned on the island where they arrived in Boston close to half of them died of Harbor. starvation and exposure. Standing at the wind- The backstory to the me- swept site, a visitor can morial dedication initia- gaze over the harbor and tive was the discovery in see city neighborhoods 1990 by a backhoe opera- where in the mid-1800s tor working to help build tens of thousands of Ire- a wastewater treatment land’s men, women, and plant for the Massachu- children who managed setts Water Resources Au- to survive the harrowing thority of some skeletons ocean journey in relatively initially believed to be the good health made new remains of those captured lives for themselves. But Native Americans two cen- not everyone made it to turies earlier. But labora- the farther shore beyond Boston Mayor Marty Walsh spoke to a gathering of some 600 at the dedication of the Deer Island Irish tory tests later confirmed the small island they em- Memorial. Photo courtesy Bill Brett they were the remains of barked upon. Quarantined al, a commemorative to the ed welcoming remarks by Irish refugees. there by civic and medi- hundreds of Irish refugees Words of remembrance MWRA executive director For many Irish who died cal officials fearful of the who arrived at the island Fred Laskey, a bless- in those years, the burial “Deer Island has a place in this tapestry of endurance. place was mass graves at spread of deadly diseases in the years between 1845 The victims we remember today were far from home, ing by Boston’s Cardinal like typhus to the general and 1852 with cases of Seán Patrick O’Malley, Deer Island’s historic Rest but not yet attached to our immigrant community. So Haven Cemetery. Figures population in Boston, over what officials called “ship for them, it may have felt as if the “emerald thread” and remarks by Boston’s time almost 1,200 would- fever,” most likely a form Mayor Martin J. Walsh. as to how many were bur- was broken. But today, in our prayers, our education, ied in an unmarked grave be immigrants, historians of typhus. The cross and and our collective memory, through this powerful monu- The rector of Holy Cross say, never left the tiny the memorial site were Cathedral, Msgr. Kevin vary because a number ment to their hopes and their hardships, we weave their of bodies were claimed prominence that faced the built “in memory of the thread back into the pattern.” O’Leary, also participated city proper. Their fate was Irish souls who, in hope in the ceremony, and Irish- by family members and – Mayor Martin Walsh buried elsewhere in or to die waiting. of avoiding starvation, left This event speaks to “our interdependence and born vocalist Mairin Ui Those who gathered on their native land for new Cheide Keady performed around Boston. Those who our interconnectedness, how we are connected to one were unclaimed – they had May 25 near the towering lives in America, only to another and connected to the people who died on this the Irish and US national Celtic cross witnessed its perish and be interred in anthems. died alone – were laid to island and who are buried here.” rest in unmarked graves dedication as the symbol of unmarked graves.” – Cardinal Sean O’Malley City of Boston Archivist the Great Hunger Memori- The day’s events includ- John McColgan, whose (Continued on page 7) Shakeup in the sessions scene: ‘Slán’ to the iconic Green Briar, ‘Fáilte’ to the Burren’s new gig By Sean Smith Briar’s closing – the pub ann chapter, who was not SpeCial to the Bir itself, not just the session only the session organizer April was a cruel month it had hosted for 29 years for so many years but its indeed for Boston’s Irish – in particular shocked public face and ambas- music community, as and saddened musicians sador. word circulated that three and non-musicians alike. “A sad loss.” … “So area Irish sessions were Tributes cited not just the many amazing memories, coming to an end, includ- Briar session’s longevity, both of the music and the ing, arguably, the most but also the quality of its people who made it.” … iconic of them all, the music and, most of all, the “Never would’ve been a Monday gathering at fellowship it inspired and musician if not for the the Green Briar Pub in the valuable resource it Briar.” Comments like Brighton. provided as a place for less these were spread far and Also on the list were experienced musicians to wide via social media and Harrington’s in Wakefield learn the ropes. personal conversation. The penultimate Green Briar “late” session in progress. While many notable and the monthly session at There was also fervent The grief was partly Irish musicians dropped by over the years, said co-organizer Tommy Sheridan the Canadian American praise for the late Larry tempered when organiz- (playing accordion at rear left in the photo), “you know who really makes the Club in Watertown. Reynolds, head of Boston’s ers for the Briar session session? It’s those people who come every week, or every two weeks, or once But news of the Green Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éire- (Continued on page 15) a month – whenever they can.” Sean Smith photo * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of WINcentive Savings is .10% APY and is accurate as of 1/1/19. APY is subject to change without notice. Must be a member in good standing of City of Boston Credit Union to open WINcentive Savings. Only one WINcentive Savings account Now you can build your savings allowed per member. Business and trust accounts or other non-consumer accounts are not eligible. Unlimited deposits allowed, but per calendar year prize pool entries are earned by month-over-month balance increases with each $25 deposit increase equal to one (1) entry with the following maximum entries per drawing period - maximum number of entries per and have a chance to WIN! month equals 4, maximum number of entries per quarter equals 12 and maximum number of entries per year equals 48. Account holder is only eligible to win once per drawing pool period. ® At least one account holder must be 18 years or older. Account must be open and active to With WINcentive Savings*, a prize-linked savings account offered by win any prize during drawing period. Early withdrawal penalites apply; first withdrawal $10 fee, City of Boston Credit Union you can watch your savings grow and have the second withdrawal $25 fee, third withdrawal account closure is required with no penalty. If WINcentive savings account is closed member is ineligible to open another WINcentive savings chance to win in monthly, quarterly and annual drawings. By saving with account with City of Boston Credit Union for a period of 90 days, all earned drawings at the time of account closure are forfeited. Minimum deposit of $5.00. After twelve (12) consecutive a WINcentive Savings account you earn entries into prize drawings based months of saving, WINcentive savings account holder may do any of the following penalty-free on how much you save! For complete details please visit cityofbostoncu.com during the one year anniversary month (month 13) of account opening; keep balance in WSA account, (any roll-over balance that remains at the end of the anniversary month will be treated as a new deposit for eligibility into applicable prize pools for the subsequent first monthly, quarterly and annual savings period); Transfer funds into another savings product offered by City of Boston Credit Union; Withdraw all funds but keep $5 on deposit in WSA to maintain account; Close account. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. 617-635-4545 Federally Insured Cityofbostoncu.com by NCUA Page 2 June 2019 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR bostonirish.com happENINgs thIs MoNth at thE ICCNE The Irish Cultural Centre Pub Great Menu • Great Music Come for the food, stay for the music FrIdays aT The Pub Music: open music session led by John Kearney 7-11 p.m. Food & drink: Pub service starts at 6 p.m. saTurdays aT The Pub Music: open music session led by billy O’Neill 5-8 p.m. Food & drink: Pub service starts at 5 p.m. Irish beers on tap – Peaty single malts and other old favorites FuNCTION rOOMs aVaILabLe did you know our Function rooms & Marquee Tent are available to rent for private functions? Communions, Christenings, Private Parties and Weddings - all welcome. In house catering and full bar available. Call sophie to book at 781 821 8291 x111 ICCNE – 200 NEw BostoN DrIvE, CaNtoN, Ma 781-821-8291 www.IrIshCulturE.org bostonirish.com June 2019 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR Page 3 BIr nOtEBOOK Apollo 11’s Michael Collins, Jeff Bezos will participate in JFK Space Summit Introducing Laoise Moore, In celebration of the In addition to Bezos lites have revolutionized 50th anniversary of the and Collins, the full day our understanding of Boston’s new consul general Moon landing and Presi- JFK Space Summit pro- Planet Earth.