Gaelic Pride

The center of local Irish culture? It’s not in Boston.

oston is an Irish town, and for lovers of the music and drink there is much to do. But those with a passionate interest in all things Celtic should head to the suburbs and the Irish Cultural Centre of New England. The center offers classes in traditional dance, tin whistle, bodhran (a type of Irish drum) and Gaelic, and traditional performances every Saturday to anyone who wants to play or watch. Most of the events are free. It’s also host to the northeastern chapter of the Gaelic Athletic Association, with more than 45 teams in hurling and Gaelic football, and the the Boston Irish Wolfhounds rugby team. Enos

Shhhh! There’s also genealogy
help and a museum and library.

Shhhh! The Irish music and arts festival held here each summer is one of the biggest in the country.

Shhhh! Picture two teams swinging
axe-shaped wooden sticks at a baseball
without pads trying to score a goal.

Shhhh! Like rugby, but with what
resembles a harder, heavier volleyball.

Shhh who knew

In 1847 alone, the biggest year for immigration driven by the Irish Potato Famine, 37,000 Irish immigrants came to Boston, whose population was then about 115,000.