St. Patrick's Day falls on a Monday in 2008, and the city has festivities planned throughout the weeks leading up to the holiday. St. Patrick's Day draws more than 500,000 visitors to Boston--a city with a long-standing Irish tradition. Boston held America's first St. Patrick's Day celebration in 1737, and the city still boasts one of the nation's largest St. Patrick's Day parades. Here's a sampling of some scheduled St. Patrick's Day events:
Camerata Ireland
Camerata Ireland, a vocal ensemble, celebrates Ireland's musical heritage with a concert on Friday, March 7, at 8 p.m. at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall. For tickets, call CelebrityCharge at 617-482-6661.
Beer and Irish Rock and Roll
Head to the Harpoon Brewery in Boston for the Harpoon St. Patrick's Festival March 7-8 featuring food vendors selling corned beef and more, a cash bar (you'll want to try the Hibernian Ale) and live Irish and Rock and Roll bands from the Boston area.
Irish Music and Art
Enjoy live music and the landscapes of artist Richard Toomey on Tuesday, March 11, during a Reflections of Ireland program at Boston College's John J. Burns Library from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Call 617-552-3282 to RSVP.
The Chieftains
On Friday, March 14, traditional Irish musicians The Chieftains play Boston's Symphony Hall at 8 p.m. For tickets, call CelebrityCharge at 617-482-6661.
A Little Bit of Ireland
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Reagle Players as they present A Little Bit of Ireland on March 14, 15 and 16 at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham. For tickets, call 781-891-5600.
Gaelic Gourmet Gala
Boston's third annual Gaelic Gourmet Gala featuring top chefs from Ireland, Boston and Canada takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 14, at Hotel Commonwealth. Tickets are $100 per person for this evening of food, wine, beer, cocktails and jazz. For reservations, call 617-532-5063. The event is part of the March 9-17 Gaelic Gourmet Week sponsored by the Boston Irish Tourism Association.
St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston
Join the estimated 600,000 people who'll turn out for this year's 107th St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston. The parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, beginning at Gillette Park and ending in Andrew Square. Your best bet for viewing the parade is to stake out a spot anywhere along Broadway--get there early. The three-hour parade features floats and dozens of marching bands and pipe bands from Ireland and across the United States. For more information, call 617-268-7955.
Other Parades in Massachusetts
St. Patrick's Day parades are also held in the Massachusetts towns of Abington (March 16), Scituate (March 16), Worcester (March 9), Holyoke (March 30) and Lawrence (March 9), as well as in Yarmouth on Cape Cod (March 8). The Boston Irish Tourism Association has details.
Did You Know...
Boston has its own 20-site Irish Heritage Trail. It was first described in a book titled Guide to the New England Irish by Michael P. Quinlin, Colette Minogue Quinlin and Colene M. Minogue (Compare Prices). That book is now out of print, but the Trail is also described in Michael Quinlin's Irish Boston: A Lively Look at Boston's Colorful Irish History (Compare Prices). Maps are available at the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau's Boston Common Visitor Center and at the Prudential Center Visitor Information Center.
St. Patrick's Day at the JFK Library and Museum
John F. Kennedy, 35th president, may well be the most famous Irish American. March is a perfect time to visit the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The special exhibit, A Jacqueline Kennedy Entertains: The Art of the White House Dinner, runs through April 3, 2008. On Saturday, March 15, the champion Irish step dancers of Darrah Carr Dance will perform at the Presidential Library at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 617-514-1600 or toll free, 866-JFK-1960.
So you wanna know where you can find corned beef and cabbage in Boston?
Durgin Park near Faneuil Hall is known for its traditional New England Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinners. Call 617-227-2038 for a serving schedule.
From March 15-17, dress in your Irish best and head to 75 Chestnut on Beacon Hill for corned beef and cabbage, plus Irish beef stew, green beer, Guinness, specialty martinis, music and prizes (if you have the luck of the Irish!). For reservations or more information, call 617-227-2175.
Cook Up Your Own Irish Feast
If you're celebrating St. Patrick's Day at home, I've compiled a great collection of Irish recipes from New England.
The Boston Irish Tourism Association has a round-up of more Irish Exhibits and Events in Massachusetts throughout the month of March. And while you're driving around in Boston, tune in WROL Irish Hit Parade Radio at 950 AM on your dial.
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