Everybody is a little bit Irish this time of year. Whether you are looking to shop, see a parade, have a bite to eat or walk the Irish Heritage Trail, you'll have a lot to choose from in Massachusetts. Don't forget to check out our events calendar as well for more fun things to do across the state.
GREATER BOSTON
Irish Heritage Trail
Explore Boston and its surrounding neighborhoods as you experience nearly 300 years of Irish history. The tour begins at the Rose Kennedy Garden near the waterfront and ends at Fenway Park, which was built 100 years ago by Irish immigrant Charles E. Logue. In total, they have compiled more than 70 Irish landmarks throughout Massachusetts. The Boston Irish Tourism Association is offering guided walking tours of Boston's Irish Heritage Trail in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. The tours run from Wednesday, March 14 through Sunday, March 18, 2012, starting at 12:30 p.m. daily at the Boston Common Visitor Center at 147 Tremont Street in Downtown Boston. Cost of the tour is $15 per adult, $8 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under five. The 75 minute walking tour by an experienced tour guide covers 13 of the 20 stops along the way (sites 1-13 on the map). You'll discover the Irish role in the Revolutionary War, learn about the 19th century Famine generation and the Irish part in the Civil War. And you'll discover famous and infamous politicians - from Curley and White to Collin and the Kennedys - who put their indelible stamp on the history of the city and the nation.
Irish Famine Memorial
Visit this memorial park, built by Boston’s Irish Community to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Irish Famine. This $1 million memorial is located on Boston’s Freedom Trail and visited annually by over three million people.
The Black Rose
Located in the historic Faneuil Hall area of Boston, this Irish pub is celebrating its 35th birthday this year. With its authentic décor, live music seven nights a week, hearty food featuring traditional selections such as fish n’ chips, stews and corned beef, and of course, an endless supply Guinness, it’s no wonder this pub was awarded the ‘Best of Boston’ Irish Pub award!
The Burren
Named after a great rocky expanse in Ireland’s County Clare, The Burren is a Somerville favorite where people gather to enjoy a good drink, live traditional Irish music and the comfort of good company. As the name suggests, this pub captures the mythical nature of Ireland’s landscape with old world feel. Enjoy classic dishes such as Guinness beef stew, shepherd’s pie and bangers & mash while listening to the sounds of the Celtic.
Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 17
South Boston's one and only official St. Patrick's Day Parade brought to you by the Allied War Veteran's Council.
St. Patrick’s Day at Grafton Street
March 17
1230 Mass Ave, Cambridge
An Irish institution offering plenty of Guinness and traditional Irish fare.
Irish Village
March 15
224 Market St., Brighton
You can listen to Irish Bagpipers from 7:00-8:00pm and get a perfectly poured pint of Guinness from bartender and Irishman Kieran McWilliam, who has been pouring Guinness at Boston’s original Irish pub for more than 20 years.
St. Patrick's Day Jazz at the Inn
March 17
March 13-Senior Lunch, Bill & Bo Winiker Celebrate St. Patty's
March 15-Dinner Theatre: "Finnegan's Wake"
March 17-Traditinal music, StoneyBatter Band
33 North Main Street, Sherborn
NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY
Concord's Colonial Inn
March 15-17
A Special Offer for our friends and neighbors… Let Concord’s Colonial Inn prepare your St. Patrick’s Day Weekend-Feast! Freshly prepared for you by our chefs in our kitchens, we’ll take the hassle out of shopping, prepping, and cooking—as well as the cleanup. You, your family, and your dinner guests will be able to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Weekend with our delicious Corned Beef and Cabbage Feast—available for pick up and reheating in your home oven Friday through Sunday, March 15-17. Perfect for weekend parties, gatherings, or on the St. Patrick’s Day holiday itself.
St. Patrick's Day Celebration
March 17
Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Colonial Hall at Rockafellas! Traditional corn beef & cabbage dinner, Comedy show, and DJ & Dancing following the show. 6:30pm dinner; 7:30pm show. $35 per person for dinner & show.
Colonial Hall @ Rockafellas
231 Essex Street, Salem
SOUTH OF BOSTON
New Bedford 1/2 Marathon
March 16-17
Hosted by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and with enthusiastic support and assistance from Mayor Jon Mitchell and the City of New Bedford. Welcome to the New Bedford Half Marathon, the annual 13.1 mile race held in New Bedford, Massachusetts. A weekend of cultural, educational & social events. A great spectator race that will draw thousands of runners their families and visitor’s to New Bedford. The unofficial kick off of the spring tourism season.
Maritime & Irish Mossing Museum
Set in the 1739 residence of Capt. Benjamin James on the Driftway, Scituate’s Maritime & Irish Mossing Museum stands out on the South Shore of Massachusetts as one of those true “gems” of local history. Currently, the museum holds six growing and changing exhibits, each with a descriptive video.
Scituate St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17
Attracting more than 15,000 people from the South Shore and Cape Cod, this popular parade takes place on Sunday, March 18. The parade begins at 1 p.m. at Gates Middle School on Parrish Road and ends at Scituate Harbor.
Town of Abington St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17
This event invites all – Irish or not – to celebrate cultural history. The parade beings at 1 p.m. in Abington Center at what is appropriately titled St. Patrick’s Square.
St. Patrick's Day at the Cove
Our destroyer, USS JOSEPH P. KENNEDY JR., was named for the eldest brother of John F. Kennedy, former president and proud member of a prominent Irish-American family. Spend the day aboard KENNEDY and search for the bright green shamrocks painted on her steel. Enjoy scavenger hunts and free prizes.
Battleship Cove
Five Water Street, Fall River
508-678-1100
St. Patrick's Day Road Race
March 16, 8:30 am Registration opens; 10:00 am Race Start
This 4 mile charity road race starts at McGreal's Tavern, 690 Main Street, Norwell. Registration is $20-$25 with proceeds going to area charities.
McGuiggan's Pub Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration
March 17
With the Maureen Haley Irish Step Dancers performing after 7pm followed by the Brockton Firefighters Pipes and Drums group. Vocalist Mike Kostas will be performing all evening.
596 Washington Street, Whitman
Dinner Theater Series - Finnegan’s Wake
March 16
The beloved Tim Finnegan has passed away and the grieving widow invites you to a real Irish wake with plenty of food, drink and laughter. This interactive, Celtic comedy is filled with tender ballads, rowdy reels and hilarious eulogies. Held in the elegant Governor Carver Room. $59.99pp complete includes Buffet Dinner and Live Performance. Overnight packages are available.
John Carver Inn & Spa
25 Summer Street, Plymouth
CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
Cape Cod Irish Village
Experience the spirit and sprightly charm of Ireland at one of Cape Cod's favorite destinations, The Irish Village. Established in 1976 by Noel Henry and family, the Village offers comfortable guest rooms, a restaurant, along with an Irish Pub featuring traditional Irish entertainment.
Sea Crest Beach Hotel
March 17
Sea Crest Beach Hotel invites guests to mark their calendars for a St. Patrick’s Day weekend on the Cape that will have them feeling the luck of the Irish. On Saturday, March 17 guests can enjoy an overnight stay for two with rates starting at $159 (taxes and gratuities included), and St. Patrick’s Day dinner at Red’s Restaurant and Lounge with live entertainment.
350 Quaker Road, North Falmouth
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre
Irish eyes will be smiling - dancing, jigging and more as the , 19 Temple Street, Worcester hosts its annual O'fficial St. Patrick's Day Party on Sunday, March 17th starting at 12 noon. Enjoy a day long celebration of everything Irish, including fantastic music. From noon - 4 p.m. enjoy the sounds of Jerry Murphy & Tommy Byrne, followed by The Jolly Beggars from 4 - 8 p.m., with dj Arnie Hamm rounding out the entertainment from 9 p.m. to the wee hours mornin'. Admission just $5 per person. Plenty of food and drink for all!
Irish Dance Lessons
March 17
Saint Patrick's Day party.
Green Day St. Patty’s Celebration at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
March 17
Lift tickets for $17 for wearing GREEN (Green clothing must be outerwear and visible while skiing (Snowpants, jackets, sweatshirts etc.) Also by Thinking GREEN, Carpooling, or driving Hybrid. Live music in Coppertop from 4-6pm.
Princeton
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade and Road Race
Parade: March 17
Road Race: March 16
Delaney House in Holyoke
March 16
Shamrock The House
Up the rebels! Irish rockers The Rising are taking over the Delaney House ballroom for a raucous St. Paddy’s Day party. Dig into an Irish buffet as the Guinness and Jameson flows at the bar. It’s the best Road Race afterparty in town. Reserved seating for groups of 10.
Ventfort Hall: Mansion and Gilded Age Museum
March 16
Ventfort Hall will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish Fiddle music played by classically trained violinist/fiddler Eileen Markland, whose versatility includes Celtic, Classical and Bluegrass. The event will take place on Saturday, March 16, at 3:00 pm, followed by a specially prepared Shamrock Tea. Markland brings with her a wide range of experiences in fiddle and violin performances. She was appointed, in 2001, an American Cultural Specialist by the US Department of State, performing with Project Troubadour in Benin, West Africa, and at the 2002 UN Peace Summit in Switzerland. In 2004, she organized and led Operation World Harmony, a cross-cultural music tour in Niamey, Niger. More recently she has performed in Paris, Venice, Dublin and throughout the northeastern United States. Tickets for the performance and tea are $30 per person. For reservations, call Ventfort Hall at 413-637-3206
Map of the Regions in Massachusetts
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- Where to Go
- Things to Do
For New England's largest theme park, head to Six Flags New England in Agawam. Experience the "Glow in the Park Parade", an all new nighttime spectacular with dramatic state-of-the-art floats, cirque-style music and thousands of sparkling lights! The Dept. of Conservation and Recreation presents Park Passport, a program where families are encouraged to continue to visit parks statewide in an effort to fill their passport with stamps from all the parks.
- Plan Your Trip
- 50 Under $50
- Getting Around
State and regional resources, including air, land, and water transportation; Boston public transit info; detailed info on travel to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island
