February 20, 2025
irishmassachusetts@comcast.net
TEN WAYS TO CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN MASSACHUSETTS
IRISH FESTIVALS, PARADES, CONCERTS, AUTHORS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE GALORE
(BOSTON) -- Massachusetts is rolling out the emerald carpet for St. Patrick’s Day this March, as one of America’s most Irish-American states celebrates its distinct culture and ethnic heritage.
The Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA) has issued its annual recommendations for enjoying the region’s St. Patrick’s Day season in a fun and meaningful way.
“Today, nearly 20% of Massachusetts residents have Irish roots,” says BITA’s Michael Quinlin, whose organization promotes Irish cultural activities and travel to Ireland year round. “St. Patrick’s Day season is a perfect time for visitors and residents to appreciate our longstanding cultural traditions while welcoming the arrival of spring.”
Find complete details at IrishBoston.org.
1. ATTEND A LIVE IRISH CONCERT
Massachusetts is a year round bastion of Irish culture, but March is a musical bonanza, with touring bands from Ireland, Canada and across the United States coming through town. Performers direct from Ireland in March include Danú, Dervish, The High Kings & Mary Black, Derek Warfield & the Young Wolftones and Odyssey, plus singers Paul Byrom and Seán Keane. Cape Breton stars include Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy and Four on the Floor, while top American groups include Gaelic Storm, Cherish the Ladies, Reverie Road, Máiréad Nesbitt, Runa and the Irish Tenors. Local bands include Dropkick Murphys, Connacht, Devri and Silver Spears.
2. PARTY AT PATRIOT PLACE IRISH FESTIVAL
The 14th annual Patriot Place Irish Festival, March 15-17, has expanded to three days this year to include even more live Irish music, featuring Black Velvet Band, Devri and Fenian Sons, plus bagpipers and more. Local Irish dance troupes display their skills, and there are plenty of children’s activities, Irish vendors, and delicious food and drink. Local hotels at Patriot Place are offering special weekend rates for families who want to enjoy the entire weekend.
3. ENJOY FAMILY FUN AT IRISH CULTURAL CENTRE
The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston in Canton is a year round headquarters for Irish culture, classes, concerts, sports and social gatherings. The St. Patrick’s Day Family Weekend Celebrations on March 14-17 is a perfect way to enjoy the holiday in a family-friendly setting. It includes children’s activities such as Celtic crafts and face painting, step dancing and social dancing, live music, vendors and authentic Irish food and beverages.
4. SHOP FOR IRISH GIFTS
You can get authentic Irish clothing and jewelry, imported directly from Ireland, at Bridget’s- an Irish Tradition gift shop in Norton. Aisling Gallery in Hingham has beautiful paintings and crafts from Irish and local artists, while The Lucky Shamrock in Quincy carries a full inventory of Irish sweets, beans, sausages, chips and other treats. For local gift ideas, visit gift shops at the JFK Library in Dorchester, the JFK Museum in Hyannis, and Discover Quincy Welcome Center in Quincy.
5. CHEER ON A PARADE
The Irish are on the march every March in New England, with a dozen or more St. Patrick’s Day parades taking place outdoors throughout New England. These are wonderful community events filled with pride of place and heritage. Marching bands, bagpipers, antique cars, local officials and grand marshals promenade down streets and boulevards to celebrate the feast of St. Patrick. Boston boasts the largest parade, and favorite family-friendly parades include Holyoke, Worcester, Abington, Scituate, Cape Cod and Newport.
6. EXPLORE JFK’S IRISH ROOTS
President John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States, was a proud Boston Irish native with a special affection for Ireland and its people. Pay a visit to the Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston to learn about Kennedy’s time in office and about his family. The Kennedy Museum in Hyannis pays tribute to President Kennedy’s great affection for Cape Cod, where he spent summers enjoying the beauty and serenity from their family summer home in Hyannisport.
7. EAT AN AUTHENTIC IRISH MEAL
There are dozens of tasteful Irish pubs and restaurants in greater Boston, too many to list! Popular haunts include the Black Rose and Dubliner in downtown Boston, Burren Pub in Somerville and McCarthy’s in Cambridge. Scobie’s Irish Pub in Dorchester serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Red Rooster in Wrentham has classic pub food. Finally, the Last Hurrah at Omni Parker House in Boston offers tasty fare prepared by seasoned Executive Chef Gerry Tice.
8. HEAR AN IRISH MUSIC SESSION
Irish traditional sessions are popular in Greater Boston, with musicians gathering casually to play tunes and share songs. The Irish Cultural Centre hosts a trad session every Friday night in Canton. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s session is the first Sunday afternoon of the month at the Canadian American Club in Watertown, while Irish Pastoral Centre in Dorchester hosts on the third Sunday. Enjoy pub sessions at The Snug in Hingham, Bebop in Back Bay, Druid in Cambridge and Scobie’s in Dorchester.
9. MEET AN IRISH STORYTELLER
Fiction writer Áine Greaney reads from her new book, Trespassers and Other Stories at Jabberwocky Bookshop in Newburyport on March 8, and at Salisbury Public Library on March 18. Local author Vincent J. Quealy discusses his book, Reflections of an Irish Grandson, at Boston College on March 12. And best-selling Irish novelist and Co. Clare resident Niall Williams reads from his new book, Time of the Child, at Porter Square Book Store in Cambridge on March 25.
10. WALK THE IRISH HERITAGE TRAIL
You can explore more than 300 years of illustrious Boston history by walking the 3-mile Irish Heritage Trail, which starts at Rose Kennedy’s Rose Garden on the waterfront, travels through Downtown and Back Bay, and ends at Fenway Park, built by Irish immigrants in 1912. Poets, politicians and patriots are included on the trail, along with artists, sculptors and women leaders. Pick up a free self-guided map at the Visitor Center on Boston Common or download a map at irishheritagetrail.com.
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ABOUT BOSTON IRISH TOURISM ASSOCIATION (BITA)
In 2025, BITA celebrates its 25th anniversary as a year-round, cultural tourism organization promoting the state’s largest ethnic community and strengthening travel ties with Ireland. BITA publishes three issues of Travel & Culture magazine, each March, June and November and also oversees the Irish Heritage Trail. For details on year-round cultural activities in Massachusetts and New England and tips on traveling to Ireland in 2025, visit IrishBoston.org.