Member Voices
An Irish Connection
For more than 40 years, my husband Jeff and I attended Handel’s Messiah in Symphony Hall.This year I took a moment to reflect on the connections between this beautiful work and the Irish community.
Did you know?
– Handel’s “Water Music” was first performed in Dublin in 1717.
– Handel’s Messiah”, composed in twenty-four days in 1774, had its début in Dublin in the Music Hall to benefit Dublin’s Maternity Hospital. The frequent repetition in the work of “Unto us a Child is born” was most fitting.
– More than two hundred years later, the “Water Music” composition was frequently played at “Irish Night at Pops in the 1980’s and 1990’s under the batons of Harry Ellis Dickson who was a great friend, as was John Williams, to the Eire Society of Boston and the Charitable Irish Society.
In those years both Societies, along with the Ancient and Honorable Society, filled the tables on the floor and Symphony Hall was filled with great bursts of joyous applause. “Irish Night” was a banner event which was initiated by Arthur Fiedler who knew that the Boston Irish would be a ready audience for such a celebration of the Irish and Irish American musical heritage. The first “Irish Night” was conducted by Fiedler at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade on July 29, 1934 before an audience of 15,000.
Margaret Flagg, Éire Society Board Member
Boston Irish Honors
“Inspiring “was the word frequently heard during the 15th Annual Boston Irish Honors luncheon as a full house honored three outstanding leaders of Irish descent: former US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, UMass President Marty Meehan, and Dr. James O’Connell of Boston’s Health Care for the Homeless. Each honoree credited the impact of their families and neighborhoods as influences that emphasized the importance of service to others.
The luncheon, held at the Artist for Humanity’s Center in South Boston on October 24, 2025, welcomed may Eire Society members as well local political, business and social personalities.
Proceeds from the luncheon will support the mission of the Forry Foundation, particularly focusing on providing training and scholarship funds for young journalists from Boston’s neighborhood.
Cate McGrail, Éire Society Board Member
National Famine Way
In May of this year, four members of the Father John Murphy, Division Nine Plymouth, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians drove to Strokestown, County of Roscommon, and began their trek along the National Famine Way. This route replicates the walk taken by 1490 men, women and children who were evicted from their homes during the height of the Great Hunger in 1847. The Way begins in Strokestown, and primarily follows the Royal Canal, all the way from Richmond Harbor, Clondra, County Longford to Dublin, a little over one hundred miles. As we travelled through parts of Ireland that are less explored, and quite beautiful, we could not help reflecting upon the incredible deprivations of those who were leaving behind all they knew and traveling across the ocean to start a new life in Canada. It was miraculous that even half of those poor souls lived to see their new home.
When we reached the end of the trail in Dublin, we stood by the Liffey and paused by the haunting Great Hunger Memorial Sculptures, reminders of some of the darkest years in Irish History.
In sharp contrast, that same day, we were honored to visit President Higgins in Aras an Uchtarain, where we met up with Catherine Shannon and her nephew. That evening we went to the Dail Éireann, where we were treated to dinner, and had the opportunity to listen to debate in a legislative session. Our final stop was back in Strokestown a few days later, where we reconnected at the Irish Famine Conference and Symposium where Professor Shannon was a featured speaker.
Emotional, informative and inspiring, this journey was a remarkable experience for all, and one that we will treasure forever.
John Sullivan, Éire Society Board Member
Charitable Society Silver Key
On October 9th, I attended the Silver Key Awards Reception hosted by our good friends at the Charitable Irish Society at the UMass Club of Boston.
The Charitable Irish Society, founded in 1737, has the mission of providing aid and assistance to newly arrived Irish immigrants in the Boston area. Since that time, the mission of the Charitable Irish Society has expanded to include immigrants from other countries, as well. However, their enthusiasm and commitment to their Irish heritage and the Irish community remains ever steadfast.
The purpose of the Silver Key, given annually, is twofold: 1. To provide support for the Charitable Irish Society’s philanthropic efforts and 2. To “honor individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication in helping new immigrants.”
This year’s Silver Key honorees were Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Archbishop of the Boston and Conor Shapiro, President and CEO of Health Equity International, a nonprofit healthcare network in Haiti.
The event was well-attended by several members of our own Society and countless other familiar faces from the New England Irish community including clergy from numerous denominations, students, professors, lawyers, businesspeople, politicians, and nonprofit organizations.
Both honorees emphasized the importance of care and support for those most needy in our society. This theme is the common thread that ties together the Charitable Irish Society, Conor Shapiros’ Health Equity International, and His Excellency’s work with the Archdiocese of Boston. It is also an interest shared by many of our own members, and past Gold Medal honorees, such as Monica McWilliams and James Brett.
Perhaps most notably and relevant to our own Society, was the announcement of the Catherine Shannon Award, which will be developed in collaboration with the Charitable Irish. Much in the spirit of Dr. Shannon’s life’s work, the purpose of this award will be to support Irish scholarship.
More details to follow.
Tom Mackey, President of The Éire Society of Boston
Brig Saint John
The Annual Mass for the Shipwreck of the Brig Saint John was held on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Saint Anthony of Padua’s Church in Cohasset. The celebrant of the Mass was Monsignor Kevin O’Leary, and the soloist was Máirín Uí Chéide.
This Mass honors the memory of ninety-nine men, women, and children who, fleeing the Great Hunger in Ireland, drowned off the Coast of Cohasset on October 7, 1849. The names of all victims of the shipwreck were read, as they were remembered in our prayers.
Following the Mass, a reception was held at the Parish Center, where three Seniors from the New England Conservatory of Music sang pieces from the Irish Folk Musical, In The Midst Of Plenty, which shed light on the actual events that transpired in Strokestown, County Roscommon, in 1847. We were fortunate to have the creator, and composer-lyricist, Amy Day, share the stories of the magnitude of the national trauma that was The Great Hunger.
Our remembrance concluded with prayers and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Celtic Cross in Cohasset Central Cemetery, in honor of the worst marine tragedy on the history of the South Shore. The Annual Commemoration was presented by the Plymouth Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, with sponsorship by the Eíre Society of Boston, as well as the Government of Ireland.
John Sullivan, Éire Society Board Member
A Beautiful Film
On Saturday, Jan 17th, The Belmont World Family Film Festival presented the film Blue Fiddle at the West Newton Cinema. It is a heartwarming story about a 10-year-old girl, a talented fiddler who believes in the magic of the music to help her ill father heal from a coma. As she progresses in her fiddle playing, she develops relationships with folks who encourage and support her and her family in her endeavor. The scenery is beautiful as it takes place in the breathtaking seaside village of Rathmullan in County Donegal.
The film is in Irish Gaelic with English subtitles and suitable for kids 8+ and adults. The screening was sponsored by the Consulate General of Ireland Boston and Co-presented by the Irish Film Festival, Boston. It was great to see some familiar faces there as well!
Thinking about next year?
Belmont World Film hosts a Family Film Festival every January and an International Film Festival every spring. For details see www.BelmontWorldFilm.org.
Cate McGrail, Éire Society Board Member
Echoes of St. Brigid: Voices of the Feminine Spirit of Ireland
A full house celebrated St. Brigid and the ancient Irish festival of Imbolc, the beginning of Irish Spring, on Sunday, 2.1.26 at the Burren Pub in Somerville, MA.
An all-women ensemble honored St. Brigid through music, song, poetry and dramatic readings.
The Éire Society’s very own Donal O’Sullivan made a cameo appearance with a memorable one-liner that was cheered by the audience.
The event was presented by members of The Here Come Everybody Players, whose mission is to celebrate the work of Irish poets, authors, playwrights, both traditional and modern, through performance.
To follow HCEP and learn about their upcoming performances, visit their website www.hce-players.org.
Trisha Griffin-Carty, Éire Society Board Member