Photo credit: Adobe Stock
From the cliffs of Newport and the harbors of New London to the lush, emerald-colored fields of Glen Park in Portsmouth, our area is full of sights, scenes, and places that capture the spirit of Ireland. Many of our cities, such as Middletown, Narragansett, Charlestown, and Jamestown, have large Irish-American populations, according to the Boston Irish Tourism Association. In fact, Newport’s welcome sign even lists Kinsale, Ireland as a sister city. For the Southern New Englander looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day beyond the traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner, we’ve found seven (for luck🍀) nearby places to appreciate the culture, style, and food of Ireland.
Photo credit: kelleysdeli.com
Not only does this restaurant provide Irish food in a festive ambiance at a reasonable price, it also has the incredibly ear-pleasing name of Kelly's Deli. Since 1997, they have been a reliable source of Irish-tinged delights for breakfast and lunch. According to their Facebook page, in 2010 they were voted Rhode Island’s Best Irish Fare by Yankee Magazine. With tasty interpretations of traditional recipes and fun menu items including the Irish Fry Up, the Dubliner, and the Killarney Sandwich, you can’t miss this inviting spot for Celtic cooking.
The immensely charming Olde Mistick Village is a favorite for open-air weekend browsing in Connecticut; and for more than 40 years Irish Eyes has provided import items with special character. Find unique housewarming or wedding gifts for friends, whether it’s one of their family crest items, Celtic jewelry, hand-knit Aran sweaters, or a collection of Irish tea.
Photo credit: irishculture.org
Just over 30 minutes from Providence in Canton, MA, you’ll find the green fields surrounding the Irish Cultural Center, an organization that puts a lot of heart into promoting Irish cultural, educational, and social events. From kids’ summer workshops and rugby games to Irish language lessons and rentable event spaces, the opportunity to enjoy “the craic” with fellow enthusiasts will make any eyes smile.
Photo credit: kelleysdeli.com
Want to get Irish jiggy with it? “Turas” means journey in Gaelic, and the band Turas takes you on a lyrical trip of traditional songs sure to stir up mystical emotions. Its four singers provide sweet accompaniment on fiddle, flute, guitar, whistle, piano, bodhran, bones, and djembe. In celebration of Irish Heritage Month, Turas will perform on Friday, March 25, at 7 p.m. at the Linden Place ballroom in Bristol.
Photo credit: robertemmetcompany.com
Headquartered in New Bedford, the Robert Emmet Company was founded in 1987 by the late Robert Emmet Reilly, a major booster of Irish history and culture. His love for Ireland and his business savvy allowed him to see the demand and opportunity for Irish and Celtic-themed gifts in the states. Today, Mr. Reilly’s son Tom Reilly helms the company, manufacturing over 300 products, the vast majority of which are made locally by suppliers in the Providence area. Its line of home-grown gifts includes enchantingly beautiful jewelry, as well as items ranging from cribbage sets to stemware.
Photo credit: facebook.com/bridgetsanirishtraditionshop
This Irish imports shop lends a personal touch in the form of owner Bridget Daly. Bridget has been a retailer of Irish goods for more than 40 years and founded her current retail business in 1987 with her daughter Lorraine. A native of Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland, this mother of four began her business after years of knitting Aran sweaters as gifts for family and friends. In 2011, Bridget settled into this endearing shop in Norton and in the following year added a family bakery and Bridget’s Famous Irish Bread. The result is a must-see for Irish culture seekers.
Photo credit: newportirishhistory.org
The Museum of Newport Irish History aims to preserve artifacts and mementoes relating to the experience of Newport County’s Irish immigrants and their decedents. That translates into an amazing variety of informative, fun, and interactive happenings, including storytelling, day trips to nearby museums and sites of Irish historical interest, and community engagement at social gatherings. Their website notes that this spring, three Newport Irish walking tour brochures will be available. The brochures include a neighborhood map to help visitors explore the historical sites and buildings connected to Newport’s Irish community.
So whether you do it now or throughout 2022, there are plenty of ways celebrate Ireland right here in New England. They have a farewell expression in Ireland, “Slán Abháile,” which literally means “safe home.” For a real estate blog, I can’t think of a better ending. Have a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day!
