March 2017 Boston’s hometown VOL. 28 #3 journal of Irish culture. $2.00 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2017 bostonirish.com Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. A towering, saintly presence on Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo Photo courtesy Tourism Ireland Liz Carroll, fiddle in hand, is ready Irish minister for youth for St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn coming to Boston for By Sean Smith Patrick’s Day Celtic So- the month’s festivities Special to the BiR journ” production, which Dr. Katherine Zappone, Ire- Make no mistake, fid- takes place March 15-18 land’s Minister for Children and dler Liz Carroll is proud to with shows at the Hanover Youth Affairs, will represent the Irish have grown up in Chicago, Theatre in Worcester, government in Boston this month, and has always enjoyed Cabot Theatre in Beverly, continuing the long tradition of a high playing in and around and the Zeiterion Per- Irish government official coming to her hometown. But she’s forming Arts Center in the United States during the festive more than happy for the New Bedford, before clos- St Patrick’s Day celebrations. opportunity to spend time ing out with matinee and During her visit, the minister will be Katherine Zap- in Boston. evening performances an honored guest at several local cel- pone, heads up “When people ask me, in Sanders Theatre on ebratory events, including the March Ireland’s Of- ‘Where are the best ses- the Harvard University 15 Irish Network/Boston reception fice of Children sions?’ I answer, ‘Well, campus. at Fenway Park, the Irish American and Youth Af- Chicago – but oh, those The 2017 “A St. Pat- Partnership breakfast March 17 fairs. sessions in Boston…,’ ” rick’s Day Celtic Sojourn” breakfast at Boston’s Seaport Hotel, laughs Carroll, whose cast also includes Irish and state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry’s political breakfast past performances in singer Karan Casey and March 19 at the Boston Convention Center. the Boston area include Liz Carroll and Nic Gareiss fiddle and dance at “A her band, local fiddle-harp The American-born Minister is a native of Seattle, the ICONS Festival, The Christmas Celtic Sojourn” performance at the Cut- duo Jenna Moynihan and Washington, and holds a PhD from Boston College. Burren ,and “A Christmas ler Majestic Theatre on Dec. 9, 2009. Courtesy WGBH Mairi Chaimbeul, and She was appointed to her post last year. She was nomi- Celtic Sojourn.” She adds, guitarist-singer Keith nated to the 24th Seanad Éireann by Taoiseach Enda “It’s such a vibrant scene. that – and bring a lot of done such a great job in Murphy, the show’s music Kenny in 2011, and was elected to Dail Éireann for the There are so many won- exciting, fresh perspec- keeping the music alive director. Siblings Ruby Dublin South West Constituency last February 2016. derful young musicians tives with them. But the and well.” and Sam Miller from A former Commissioner with the Irish Human Rights who come to the area – I ‘old guard’ – like the local Carroll will return to Rhode Island will be the Commission (2002-2012) and a former CEO of the Na- think Berklee College of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éire- the area this month for featured dancers. tional Women’s Council of Ireland, she has spent her life Music has a lot to do with ann chapter – has always the 12th annual “A St. (Continued on page 22) campaigning on social justice issues working to ensure that everyone is treated equally with fairness and justice. A month of parades aplenty (Page 3); Music and dance events abound (Pages 18, 19) Page 2 March 2017 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR bostonirish.com bostonirish.com March 2017 BOSTON IRISH RePORTeR Page 3 Looking Sen. Forry hosts pre-parade breakfast on March 19 By Bill FoRRy wide range of attempts at humor ahead: editoR by the state’s leading politicians. State Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry The breakfast serves as a will host the traditional St. Pat- warm-up for South Boston St. the March rick’s Day breakfast at the Bos- Patrick’s Day Parade, organized ton Convention and Exhibition by the South Boston Allied War Center on Sun., March 19. The Veterans Council. The route will parades event, which doubles as a political follow its traditional course from roast and pre-parade celebration West Broadway near Broadway Sunday, the 19th Station deep into Southie. After at 1 p.m. – Boston’s St. of Irish-American culture, will be televised live on New England moving along East Broadway, Patrick’s Day Parade will it will turn south on P Street kick off from Broadway Cable News beginning at 10 a.m. It is the fourth consecutive and reverse course, heading Station in South Boston. past Thomas Park and on down Check out southbostonpa- year that Sen. Forry— elected in 2013— will host the event, Dorchester Street to end near rade.org for information Andrew Station. regarding the history of which features a line-up of state elected officials, including US If all goes as planned, par- the parade, the parade ticipants should line up along route, parking restric- Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Gov. Charlie Baker, Dorchester Avenue by 11 a.m., tions, and how to get with the parade set to kick off at there. Mayor Martin Walsh, Congress- man Stephen F. Lynch, and Rep. 1 p.m. NECN’s live coverage of the Saturday, the 4th parade will air from 12:30-3 p.m. at 11 a.m. – Cape Cod – Nick Collins, among many others. Yarmouth. March starts A crowd of about 600 is expected at the intersection of Long for the breakfast, which features A scene from last year’s break- Pond Drive and Route 28 live music, a full breakfast, and a fast. Don West photo in South Yarmouth. Info: 508-362-7239, capecodst- patsparade.com IAP honors Saturday, the 11th at 1 p.m. – City of Lawrence. Joe Leary Parade starts at Essex / The Irish American Amesbury Street. Partnership (IAP) will Saturday, the 11th at honor its retired presi- Rain or Shine, 11 a.m. – dent, Joe Leary, at its 61st Annual Newport St. annual St. Patrick’s Day Patrick’s Day Parade. breakfast on March 17, Stars at Newport City the Feast of St Patrick, Hall. Info: discovernew- at the Seaport Hotel in port.org; NewportIrish. South Boston. com The breakfast is a cel- Sunday, the 12th at ebration of Irish heri- City of Worcester. noon – tage and highlights the Starts at Park Avenue. IAP’s work supporting Info: 508-753-7197. education and community Sunday, the 19th at 1 development programs Town of Abington. p.m. – in Ireland, North and Starts at St. Patrick’s South. President Emeri- Square, Abington Center. tus Leary will be cited Info: 781-878-1570; 781- for his estimable work 878-7785. furthering the partner- Sunday, the 19th at ship’s mission during his City of Holyoke. noon – Dorgan’s, site of the early St. Patrick’s Day Breakfasts. presidential tenure from Starts in downtown Holy- Photos from “South Boston on Parade” by Paul Christian 1988 to 2016. oke. Info: 413-533-1700; Joe and his family, holyokestpatricksparade. brother Kevin, and sis- com. ‘South Boston on Parade’ ters Mary and Elizabeth Sunday, the 19th at 1 were recipients of the Town of Scituate. The book was written glorious joint celebration p.m. – Boston Irish Reporter’s Starts at Gate Middle an edited by Paul Chris- honoring both the Father 2016 Boston Irish Honors School, First Parish Road. tian, a sixth-generation of Our Country and the in honor of their tireless Info: 781-545-6671; scitu- South Bostonian who Patron Saint of Ireland philanthropic work. atechamber.org. retired as commissioner/ and of the Archdiocese In recognition of Mr. Information courtesy chief of department of the of Boston.” Leary’s commitment to of irishmassachusetts. Boston Fire Department In this volume, Chris- peace in Northern Ire- com and Boston Irish in 2006, under the aus- tian traces in words and land, proceeds from the Tourism. pices of the South Boston pictures the parade’s Historical Society. history from 1901 to the breakfast will benefit Writes Christian in his present as it has evolved the RDS Primary Science foreword: “George Wash- from a march commemo- Fair’s expansion into Bruins to ington never met St. rating a military victory Belfast. Patrick. Yet they share to one of religious, ethnic, The breakfast will also a joyous commemoration Former Mayor Curley rides in one of his last parades. and national pride and feature special guest salute Irish each March in South then into more of a secu- Katherine Zaponne TD, Boston’s Evacuation Day and Saint Patrick’s Day a rich history of bring- lar celebration. Minister for Children and The Boston Bruins Parade. The parade has ing people together, a will host the team’s first- Youth Affairs. ever Irish Heritage Night when they host the De- troit Red Wings at TD ‘The Irish Atlantic,’ exhibit opens to the public on March 10 Garden on March 8. John McDermott, the Scottish- The Massachusetts Historical Canadian tenor who is Society will launch a seven- known for his renditions month-long exhibition entitled of “Danny Boy” and “Loch “The Irish Atlantic” with a Lomond,” will be perform- presentation and reception ing the national anthem. at the Society’s headquarters There will also be per- (1154 Boylston Street near the formances from Irish step Fenway) on Thurs., March 9, dancers and the selling at 6 p.m. of Irish-themed hock- The exhibition itself, a free ey pucks, among other event, will be on view from March events and merchandise 10 through Sept.