MAUDY DOOHER
AT THE CENTRE OF
ALL THINGS IRISH

Maudy Dooher is Director of Programming & Membership at the Irish Cultural Centre of New England, located in Canton, Massachusetts. We caught up with the Mayo native to learn more about the Centre and how she celebrates St. Patrick’s Day.

What does the Irish Cultural Centre have planned for St. Patrick’s Day Weekend?

On Friday, March 17, we serve corned beef and cabbage all day, with live music in the pub and ballroom. It’s a great day for young and old alike. Then on Saturday, we have a full day of fun activities for families, including a hay ride, live music, Irish language, crafts, Irish dance and more. We have a Family Ceili in the afternoon, then a concert at night by Irish duo Niamh Parsons & Graham Dunne. Sunday starts with a St. Patrick’s Day mass, followed by an Irish breakfast, then later in the day we have comedian Jimmy Tingle.

What about you – how does your family celebrate in Boston?

We have an annual family gathering at our house and serve the real thing – a bacon & cabbage dinner! We get the bacon from one of the Irish stores. I love the American tradition of outdoor flags by the front door. On St. Patrick’s Day we hang our Irish flag or our Mayo flag and make lots of phone calls home!

L-R: Séamus Mulligan, Chloë Agnew, Maudy Dooher

How do you explain St. Patrick’s Day to non-Irish Americans or other immigrants from other countries?

I grew up in Mayo so my traditions are rooted in the religious aspect of the holiday: going to Mass, wearing the shamrock (real) on your coat and then attending a parade. So I let people know that it is the day that we celebrate Ireland’s Christianity which St. Patrick brought to Ireland.

I then let them know that this celebration has evolved into a celebration of Ireland’s rich culture and heritage. As you know mass migration from Ireland was a huge fixture of Ireland’s history and as such those abroad seized upon this day to celebrate being Irish. It has evolved into a wonderful tradition of stopping us in our tracks once a year, whether Irish born or Irish American and paying homage to our heritage.

Thank you Maudy!

IRISH CULTURAL CENTRE
EVENTS IN MARCH 2017

March 11
Misgivings: A Divine Comedy

March 11
Friends of Irish Research Presents the School of Irish Genealogy

March 17
All day open house with live music and dancing

March 18
Family Ceili, live music and set dancing

March 18
Irish duo Niamh Parsons & Graham Dunne

March 19/all day
St. Patrick’s Day Mass, Irish breakfast, Comedian Jimmy Tingle

March 25
Irish Storyteller Helena Byrne

UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2017
APRIL THROUGH JULY

April 6:
Dinner Dance with Mick Flavin & John Hogan

May 20:
Boston Rose of Tralee Final

June 3-4:
Boston Irish Festival

June 18:
Celtic Thunder Stars - Byrne & Kelly

July 8:
Sharon Shannon Concert

Irish Cultural Centre
200 New Boston Drive, Canton, MA 02021
(781) 821-8291 | irishculture.org | irishfestboston.com

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