Massachusetts State House
GOVERNOR MAURA T. HEALEY PROCLAIMS MARCH AS
IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN MASSACHUSETTS
MARCH 17, 2023
Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey issued a proclamation declaring March as Irish-American Heritage Month, noting the important role the state’s Irish-American community has played in the Revolutionary War, and the outsized contributions made by 19th century Irish immigrants fleeing Ireland’s famines and economic uncertainty.
The proclamation notes numerous Massachusetts women who have made great contributions to the nation, from Ann Sullivan, teacher of the deaf and dumb and labor leader Mary Kenney O’Sullivan to Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy and her daughter Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
The proclamation also praises outstanding contributions in art, athletics and politics, citing colonial painter John Singleton Copley, boxer John L. Sullivan and politicians John F. Kennedy and Thomas ‘Tip’ O’Neill.
And finally, the proclamation cites the deep-rooted history and heritage of Irish-Americans in Massachusetts, as evidenced by the Boston Irish Heritage Trail and the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail, which chronicle 300+ years of illustrious Irish leaders, institutions and cultural achievements.
Governor Healey is proud of her Irish-American roots, which date back to the mid-19th century when, the Healeys and Tracys, emigrated from counties Galway, Kerry and Cork to find a better life in Massachusetts.
Read more details here.