West End Museum Revs Up Irish Heritage Celebration

Of the 23 ethnic groups that lived harmoniously in the old West End of Boston, Irish immigrants and their descendants represented one of the three largest (the others being Jewish and Italian). As it has since 2016, The West End Museum is hosting a special event to commemorate Irish Heritage Month. On Thursday, March 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., this year’s Irish Heritage Night will feature a dramatic reading, a new exhibit, an honoree ceremony, and Irish music. Light refreshments will be served. The event is FREE and open to the public; registration required here.

Honoree Patricia Trainor O’Malley, Ph.D. is an author, professor, and historian who has focused much of her scholarship on Irish immigrants. Born in Haverhill, Mass., Dr. O’Malley’s ancestors emigrated from the village of Leap, in Ballinlough, Cork County, Ireland in the late 19th century. She holds a Master’s degree in Medieval Culture and a doctorate in Modern English History, both from Boston College. A full professor at Bradford College, she became Division Chair of Humanities and was awarded Teacher of the Year and First Chair for distinguished teaching. Dr. O’Malley’s meticulous work with letters to and from young women who worked as domestics for wealthy families around Boston help to document the lives of Irish immigrants that resided in neighborhoods like the West End.