Boston elite amateur youth boxers to travel to Ireland

Trip part of trans-Atlantic sports initiative

This June, twenty-one fighters from Metro-Boston will travel to Ireland to take part in a series of amateur fights as part of a Trans-Atlantic sports partnership between the city of Boston and the Emerald Isle.

This trip which takes place on June 23 through July 3 will see the fighters pitted against Irish boxers in Connemara and Donegal. This visit is in return of the Irish team's very successful travel to Boston in 2014.

In its inaugural year, fifteen youths travelled from Ireland to square off against their American counterparts at the Boston City Hall Plaza. The boxing partnership between the highly connected communities was set up to promote the sport of boxing to youths and also, afford young athletes in both areas to travel between the two countries.

The first of its kind international sporting event held in Downtown Boston was a huge success and the initiative organized by Boston Police Athletic League was widely supported by Boston’s Mayor Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner, William Evans.

Regional Director of the Police Athletic League and Boston Police Officer Tim Stanton said," Last summer’s event was a huge success. Everybody involved came away with a sense of international pride. We are looking forward to going to Ireland and compete with the same good will."

The team of 21 youth from the Greater Boston area are now on the final countdown as they prepare to travel to Ireland this June. As part of their trip, the group of amateur fighters will spend time in Connemara before traveling to County Donegal, in the North West of Ireland.

Irishman Mark Porter who lives in Boston is one of the four coaches traveling with the Boston team. The Donegal native has been heavily involved since the beginning and says, "I'm really excited to bring the Boston lads home to my native county. I know that both teams are ready to go and we can expect some very exciting fights."

Coaches Kevin Kelliher and Pat Bradley agree, "These kids can fight. They are well trained and very experienced.”

Featured boxers such as Miguel Torres from Boston and Ciaran Molloy from Ireland will showcase their skills in what is sure to be a top level amateur event. Traveling with the athletes is American professional boxer, Danny O’ Connor (26-2 10 KOs), who has just come off a stunning victory in Boston in May.

O’Connor said, “I have a wealth of knowledge and experience in boxing and it’s my pleasure to give back and share it with the young kids.”

“I hope to give them a learning experience in and out of the ring and help them fight to their fullest potential,” the welterweight boxer said.

Fighting out of America’s most Irish city, O’Connor is just as excited about his visit to Ireland as the teenagers, saying “Having the opportunity to travel abroad to Ireland means a lot to me. I've had so much support in my career coming from Ireland, it is going to be amazing to have the chance to go there and see the land with my own eyes, be part of the culture & meet all the people.”

For more information on the trip, call Mark Porter 617-719-6729 or Peter O'Malley 617-833-8474

Irish Cultural Centre to host festival in celebration of 25th anniversary

To mark their 25th anniversary the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) will host a two day celebration at their campus in Canton. The weekend kicks off on Saturday, June 13 with the ICC Feis in association with the Harney Academy followed by live music all day, entertainment for kids and more.

The festival continues on Sunday, June 14 starting with a 5k race at 11am. All levels are welcome including walkers, strollers and wheelchairs. There is free entry to the festival for those signing up for the race. Registration begins is between 9-10.25 am. Following the race there will be GAA games, great music and activities for kids. Included in the lineup this year is "The Viking Irish".

Working in collaboration with Irish organizations and the Irish government - as well as with the region's educational, arts, and cultural institutions - the ICC actively supports Irish cultural activities throughout New England. They celebrate this heritage with events and activities that bring Irish culture to life, connecting people of all ages and making the ICC one of the region's most active cultural institutions.

Location: The Irish Cultural Centre of New England, 200 New Boston Drive, Canton. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com. The ICC can be contacted on 781-821-8291.

Naas RFC visit Boston

Naas RFC hosted a reception at JJ Foley's in Boston where Former Mayor and Ambassador to the Vatican, Ray Flynn and his wife Cathy were there to represent Mayor Walsh and accept an honor on his behalf. Also in attendance was TD Anthony Lawlor and Fran Mahon, President of the Naas Rugby Club.

An evening with the Consuls General

The Charitable Irish Society will host Consul General Susie Kitchens of the United Kingdom and Consul General Breandán Ó Caollaí of Ireland as they discuss the current commercial and political status in Northern Ireland and the potential for the growth in investment, trade and tourism on both sides of the Atlantic. Joining the consuls general will be Andrew O’Brien, Special Representative for Global Partnerships from the U.S. State Department.

The event will be held at The Union Club, 8 Park St, Boston, Tuesday, June 2nd. A cocktail reception from 6:00 pm until 7:00 will precede the formal program.

The event is co-sponsored by the British Society, The Scots Charitable Society and The Charitable Irish Society. You will hear the latest news news on the current status of the Good Friday Accord and socialize with friends in our companion organizations. This is also a great opportunity to introduce prospective members to The Charitable Irish Society. The cost is $25. Register online at www.CharitableIrishSociety.org


 

Milton Music Festival returns this month


The festival hosts its third year at Hutchinson’s Field atop of Milton Hill overlooking the beautiful Neponset water basin. The event will take place over two days starting on Saturday, June 27. The action begins on the Saturday at 4pm with an art display by local artists and activities for children including face painting, arts and crafts and a Touch a Truck area. There will be several hours of music throughout the day including Jazz, pop, acapella, dance bands, and the New York City Police Department Pipes and Drums. The day will end with a firework display.

Celtic Sunday beginning at 1pm on June 28, will feature many of Boston’s best Irish bands, musicians and vocalists. Among this year’s performers are The Fenian Sons, Erin’s Melody, Pauline Wells, Devri, legendary Dublin Fiddler Patsy Whalen and Mr. Paul Kenny as well as several other prominent Irish performers. Headlining for the day is the internationally renowned Irish group Gaelic Storm - famous for their performance in the 1997 movie Titanic.

Those planning on attending the festival are advised to bring lawn chairs, blankets, sunscreen and bug spray!

More information on this event can be found at www.wearemilton.org

Global Irish Civic Forum this week in Dublin

The first ever Global Irish Civic Forum will take place in Dublin Castle on 3-4 June 2015. The Forum will bring together representatives of over 140 organisations working with the Irish diaspora all over the world, many of whom are funded under the Emigrant Support Programme.

Amongst the participants are welfare organisations working with our most vulnerable emigrants, organisations aimed at promoting Irish culture abroad, Irish-focused business networks and campaign groups for emigrants.

The Forum will allow these organisations to share their experience and will also provide an opportunity to recognise the work they undertake on a daily basis to support Irish emigrants abroad as they make new lives often far from home. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, and Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, will address the Forum and there will be a number of panel discussions open to the media.

Representing organizations from the Boston area are Megan Carroll, Executive Director of the Irish Pastoral Centre, Ronnie Millar Executive Director of the Irish International Immigrant Center and Sean Moynihan, President of Irish Network Boston

Speeches and panel discussions will be recorded over the two days of the Forum and will be available on the Global Irish Hub website: https://www.dfa.ie/global-irish/support-and-services/