We’d like to interrupt your regular St. Paddy’s week programming (playing Dropkick Murphys hits + visiting Irish pubs) to walk through the local landmarks of the Irish Heritage Trail. The trail includes 20 locations over three miles in downtown and Back Bay. Here are five stops that celebrate Boston’s Irish-American history.
📍Boston Irish Famine Memorial, School Street and Washington Street
Beginning in 1845, 100,000 refugees fled to Boston to escape Ireland’s potato famine. This memorial was established as a lasting tribute to this generation and features eight narrative plaques to share the story of the Famine.
🍀 James Michael Curley Statues, Union Street at Congress Street
Also known as the Purple Shamrock or Rascal King, he was the son of immigrants and served as the mayor of Boston four times between1914 and 1949. Visit this statue or jm Curley for a burger in his memory.
💚 Patrick Collins Memorial, Commonwealth Avenue, between Clarendon and Dartmouth streets
This statue recognizes Boston’s second Irish-born mayor, who served from 1902 to 1905 after Hugh O’Brien. He is remembered as the first candidate in our city’s history to sweep the election.
🇮🇪 David I. Walsh Statue, Charles River Esplanade at the Hatch Shell
This Clinton native was the first Irish Catholic to be elected governor of the Bay State. He was also the state’s first Irish Catholic Senator and held that position for over 20 years. Inscribed above his statue is a Latin phrase that translates to “Not for himself but for his country.”
⚾ Fenway Park, Yawkey Way at Brookline Avenue
The historic baseball park was built by Irish immigrant Charles E. Logue. He started his own construction firm and built a number of schools and churches for the Boston Archdiocese. Fenway has hosted many Irish events, including Eamon de Valera‘s rally in 1919 and championship matches in hurling.
Ready for more? The Boston Irish Tourism Association website shares more than 20 other landmarks across Boston neighborhoods — plus a few ideas of who should have a local landmark.
