The Eire Society of Boston was established in 1937 by a group of 82 adults fresh from a 16 - lecture crash-course in Irish history presented by the Massachusetts Department of Education. At the completion of these lectures, the alumni of this course met for a $1.50/plate dinner, where, on May 11th, the Eire Society was formally launched. Its aims, then as now, have been to "promote the knowledge of Irish culture through the encouragement of study in the arts, sciences, literature, language, and history of Ireland" and to "publicize the contributions to civilization made by the Irish and those of Irish ancestry" and also to "promote a consciousness of the influence of Irish thought and action in the advancement of American ideals."

Since the founding of this Irish organization, four generations have profited from it's existence. Agencies like Boston 2000 (the Bicentennial office), researchers from grammar to grades to graduate school, even window decorators and exhibitors of several types rely upon the Society for leads and sound advice. Thousands of, Massachusetts high-scholars, by responding to the Society's annual essay contest, have delved into Irish history and culture and maybe caught the bug. The Bulletin series (subscribed to by the national libraries of Ireland and Wales, the Royal Irish Academy, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Harvard University, Boston College, the Boston Public Library, etc.) amounts now to three or four fair sized books. Society tours (invariably flying Aer Lingus) has introduced hundreds, even thousands to the tangible Ireland north, south, and at sea, which has intentionally generated considerable support for the Irish economy. It has awarded its Gold Medal to scholars, architects, teachers, lawyers, sportsmen, politicians, philanthropists, critics, and artists of every persuasion.

Throughout its history The Eire Society has hosted nearly 1000 lectures, screenings, opening nights, and receptions, cooperated with four decades of Irish consular and diplomatic missions, given its support to Irish hospitals, educational ventures, ecumenical and peace-seeking projects, and creative enterprises almost beyond number. In 1978, during its 41st season, the Society joined forces with other local Irish organizations to support the exhibit called Irish Legacy: 1500 BC/1500 AD at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, which exhibit ran from October 1978, through the following January 21. In January 1980 the Society has arranged a special viewing for members and friends of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library on Boston's Columbia Point, certainly one of the most prestigious institutions ever erected for a person who, incidentally, was an Eire Society Gold Medallist.

As wide angled in outlook as it is narrow in its focus on things Irish, the Society strives to avoid cliches of any kind. It has never held a function on St. Patrick's Day, and its letterheads are printed in black (the official stationary) or royal blue (its News Service releases). It is constitutionally non-sectarian: no chaplain, no regular religious services, no special nods toward religious or the work they do.

The ideals of the Eire Society were hardly exclusive to itself when the group was formed. The society does not seek to compete with its many Irish-related sister organizations, but rather to compliment the likes of The Charitable Irish Society, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Clover Club, the Irish Networking Society of Boston (INS), the Irish American Chamber of Commerce (ICCUSA) among others as an organization promoting knowledge of Irish culture and history.

The Eire Society is also unique among its many sister organizations in that it is distinctly, and constitutionally non-sectarian and non-political. Indeed no one holding or seeking public office could serve as an officer or member of the board of directors.

In its early days the Eire Society was, and continues to be, an active player on the Boston social scene. Its basic annual program consists of monthly meetings from October through April, the publication of the Bulletin, the official periodical of the Society (now supplemented by this web site), and the annual Gold Medal Dinner where a recipient whose efforts has been judged significantly to have fulfilled Society ideals (see all Gold Medal Recipients).

One of several Celtic Irish ornamnets donated to the MFA by the Eire Society.

Over and above these routine functions is a varied round of involvements and projects which leaves the Society perpetually "non profit" but content. In 1945, the Society dipped into its season's surplus (kept in the City's Hibernia Savings Bank) and gave $1,000 to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts to purchase ancient Celtic ornaments in gold. The Eire Society commissioned a Boston Pops concert in Symphony Hall on June 6, 1947 conducted by Arthur Fiedler. The Irish Suite was originally called the "Eire Suite".

18th Century Perry violin

In 1950, the Eire Society also presented $1,000 to Richard Cardinal Cushing, Archbishop of Boston, for his charities, where then His Eminence kindly endorsed the check to Ireland's Muintir na Tire for use in its back to the land movement. In 1953, the Eire Society presented three Fergus O'Ryan oils to local institutions: one each to the Boston Public Library, Harvard's Fogg Museum, and Boston College High School. Boston College received works of literature, history, and law (including $2,300 worth of Irish legal documents in facsimile), as well as several portraits and landscapes of Mountmellick and Tramore Bay. Harvard University accepted an 18th Century Perry violin in addition to $5,000 to underwrite acquisition of treasures on microfilm from the National Library of Ireland. The Boston Symphony Orchestra, benefited too: once with a rare A.J. Potter score, again with funding enough to start a planned tour of Europe in Dublin and Cork. Still later, the Society formed a delegation for Dublin to march in the Easter Sunday parade of 1966, which is duly depicted in Cuimhneachan, the official record of Ireland's commemoration of the 1916 Rising.

Eire Society events also provide a forum and showcase to countless Irish singers, musicians, fashion designers, dancers, artists, actors, poets, film-makers, writers, and statesmen - indeed former Taoiseach and President of Ireland Eamon De Valera was especially fond of the Eire Society and it's work for Ireland and welcomed members repeatedly to Arus an Uachtarain (The Irish White House). Sean McBride has lectured. John Ford, Padraic Colum, Joseph Cannon, John W. McCormack, Eugene McCarthy, Siobhan McKenna, John Huston, and Mary Lavin are among recipients of the Society's Gold Medal. Micheal MacLiammoir, Desmond Guinness, Roy Johnston, Thomas McAnna, Brian Friel, Brendan Behan, Grainne Yeats, Mary Manning, John Montague, Thomas Flanagan, Charles Bowen, Thomas Kinsella these and scores of other Irish, celebrities have graced Society platforms at least once.

Whenever possible the Eire Society offers current books of Irish interest at reduced rates, welcomes American Irish authors (like Cornelius Ryan) to autograph parties, makes it possible to purchase Irish goods, crafts and artwork, albums, and what not. It prides itself on having given its Gold Medal to John F. Kennedy while he was still a Senator (and author of Profiles in Courage, 1956), Dr. Brian O'Doherty while he was still reviewing films in Boston, and Ambassador William V. Shannon while he was 'just' a writer (The American Irish) and journalist for The New York Times.

Book of Kells Reproduction at Boston College

To mark the Eire Society's 50th anniversary five gold medals were awarded. Also, in celebration the Society commissioned the Irish artist, Val McGann to paint a picture of Joyce's Tower which was dedicated to the people of Massachusetts and now hangs in the reading room of the State House. In 1989 the Eire Society presented a facsimile of The Book of Kells to the "rare Irish collection" at the Burns Library at Boston College.

In this century, the Eire Society looks forward to marking its centennial by continuing it's mission of spreading the knowledge of Irish history and culture by re-doubling its efforts, expanding its membership and striving to tell the story of Ireland and the Irish. Won't you join us?