For Immediate Release
March 13, 2020
irishmassachusetts@comcast.net
CELEBRATE IRISH CULTURE IN MASSACHUSETTS & RHODE ISLAND
ST. PATRICK'S DAY WEEKEND
(BOSTON) -- With numerous St. Patrick's Day parades and cultural activities being cancelled this month because of the Coronavirus threat, the Boston Irish Tourism Association is recommending these alternatives for visitors and residents wishing to celebrate Irish heritage in New England this month.
To start, pick up a free copy of Travel & Culture magazine, which features Irish cultural activities in New England as well as travel ideas for visiting Ireland. Copies are available at the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common, located at 139 Tremont St. (across from McDonald's) - near the Park Street MBTA subway station.
Boston's Irish Heritage Trail - take a self-guided walk along Boston's Irish Heritage Trail, a fascinating 3-mile journey through 300+ years of the city's illustrious Irish history. You can pick up a free copy of the Irish Heritage Trail map at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center.
The trail begins at the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Garden along Boston’s waterfront, proceeds through Faneuil Hall and City Hall to Downtown Crossing, Boston Common and Back Bay, and ends at Fenway Park in the Fens. The 20 sites include three indoor facilities - Boston City Hall, the Massachusetts State House and the Boston Public Library - and 17 outdoor sites in public parks and other public spaces. Find additional information here: irishboston.org/tours.php
Irish Cultural Centre of New England - The region’s largest Irish-American cultural organization, located on 46-acres in Canton, is a perfect setting to celebrate Irish music and dance, theater and language, sports and heritage year round.
On March 14, check out the Kid’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the morning, with songs, stories, face painting and dancing. ICC’s Irish Pub is bustling all day, starting at 12: 30 p.m. with Katie McD and Friends, followed by accordion great Billy O’Neill, and musical group For Folk Sake. Music begins in the downstairs hall at 3:30 p.m. with Scottish Fish, followed by Rare Ould Times to finish out the night.
On March 17, enjoy continuous music and dance, starting at 11 a.m. with York Shire, followed by Joe Glynn, then Billy O’Neill leading a session. The day culminates with a concert by Paul Byrom, former lead vocalist for Celtic Thunder.
St. Patrick’s Day Parades
All parades have been cancelled per state mandate.
ABOUT BOSTON IRISH TOURISM ASSOCIATION
BITA was formed in 2000 to promote cultural tourism year round and to strengthen travel ties between New England and Ireland. It publishes three issues per year of Travel & Culture Guide in March, June and November. See magazine archive here. BITA is creator of Boston’s Irish Heritage Trail, which highlights Irish landmarks throughout Boston and around the state.
For further details on Irish parades, festivals and concerts, as well as year-round Irish and cultural activities and hospitality amenities, visit IrishMassachusetts.com.
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