Lowell’s 43rd Irish Cultural Week Kicks Off with Tradition and New Highlights
Lowell’s 43rd annual Irish Cultural Week is set to begin this weekend, bringing together the community for a series of events celebrating Irish heritage. The week kicks off with the annual opening Mass at St. Patrick Church, where attendees will be treated to a special performance by renowned musicians and a procession featuring various local groups.
The celebrations will start at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at St. Patrick Church, with a concert of traditional Irish music played on the church’s massive organ by Jeffrey Smith and sung by Alison Burns. Following their performance, there will be a traditional procession including the Knights of Columbus, the Lowell Police and Fire Honor Guards, the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, and the Irish step dancers from the Heavey Quinn School of Irish Dance.
This year’s event holds particular significance as His Excellency Richard Henning, Archbishop of Boston, will serve as the principal celebrant. Henning, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2024, is making his first visit to St. Patrick Church. “This is a big deal for us,” said Lowell Irish member Raymond Leavitt. “He is a new archbishop, and I know he wants to reach out to the community and get in touch with people.”
Leavitt added that Henning is expected to join the subsequent parade, which will leave the church after Mass and make a stop at the Cardinal O’Connell Parkway monument for a brief prayer before finishing at City Hall for the raising of the Irish flag. The parade will feature a medley of Irish tunes played on St. Patrick’s chime by Bob Feldman and AnnMarie Pintal.
During the Mass, Lowell Irish will honor one of its members, Paul Early, with the second-ever Father Richard “Doc” Conway Founders Award. This award, renamed from the “Irishman of the Year” last year, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the community.
Lowell Irish will also present St. Patrick Parish with a $15,000 check toward the purchase of architecturally correct wooden doors for the 13th-century Gothic-style church. Following the parade, the church hall will host a brunch featuring Irish music and more step dancing for just $5 per person, thanks to a donation from the Owl Diner.
This year, the annual Irish Movie Night has been replaced with Trivia Night focusing on Irish and Lowell history at Owen & Ollie’s in Dracut on Tuesday. Doors open at 6 p.m., with trivia beginning at 7 p.m. Leavitt joked about not being able to participate, referencing Dave McKean’s expertise on Lowell’s history.
One of the highlights of the week is the annual Acre Forum and Anam Cara Awards, scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Golf Club. The event will feature music from Irish Whispa and a presentation on the history of the Irish in Lowell by UMass Lowell history professor emeritus Robert Forrant.
Forrant, one of the four recipients of the Anam Cara Award, is being recognized for his dedication to preserving Lowell’s Irish history. Leavitt praised Forrant for documenting the contributions of Irish immigrants to Lowell’s canal system and mills. Forrant is also writing a monthly history column for The Sun this year.
John Mendoza, another Anam Cara recipient, is a skilled carpenter and craftsman who is building a display case to showcase church artifacts. JoAnne Marcos, a longtime friend of Lowell Irish, is also being honored for her work in women’s issues and community outreach.
Mary Heavey-Quinn, founder of the Heavey Quinn School of Irish Dance, is the fourth recipient of the Anam Cara Award. Leavitt noted that Heavey-Quinn has kept the Irish heritage alive through her school.
On Saturday, March 14, Dave McKean will lead a free walking tour of Lowell’s Acre neighborhood, starting at 10 a.m. at the National Historical Park Visitor Center and concluding at St. Patrick Church. McKean will share stories about the area’s early Irish history and the church’s founding.
Later that night, Lenzi’s in Dracut will host the Annual Dinner Dance, featuring Irish and American music by Celtic Crew. Tickets for the dance are $45 each, with a $5,000 prize for the Leprechaun Luck raffle.
The festivities will conclude next Sunday, March 15, with a Ceili at Mt. Pleasant Golf Club at 1 p.m., featuring the Heavey Quinn dancers and Caeltish Traditional Irish music.
