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The Charitable Irish Society of Boston was founded in 1737 and is the oldest Irish organization in North America. Its early charitable efforts focused around providing temporary loans and assistance in finding work to Irish immigrants. The society was incorporated in 1809 and established a constitution in 1810.


Involvement in the first St. Patrick's Day

The society organized the first observance of
St. Patrick's Day Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (), is a religious and cultural holiday held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Chri ...
in the
Thirteen Colonies The Thirteen Colonies were the British colonies on the Atlantic coast of North America which broke away from the British Crown in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and joined to form the United States of America. The Thirteen C ...
. Surprisingly, the celebration was not Catholic in nature, Irish immigration to the colonies having been dominated by Protestants. The society's purpose in gathering was simply to honour its homeland, and although they continued to meet annually to coordinate charitable works for the Irish community in
Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
, they did not meet on 17 March again until 1794. During the observance of the day, individuals attended a service of worship and a special dinner. The list of members names are available here Despite being protestant a large amount have Irish surnames.


Notable members

* Patrick A. Collins *
James Michael Curley James Michael Curley (November 20, 1874 – November 12, 1958) was an American Democratic politician from Boston, Massachusetts. He served four terms as mayor of Boston between 1914 and 1955. Curley ran for mayor in every election for which he ...
* Patrick Donohoe *
John F. Fitzgerald John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald (February 11, 1863 – October 2, 1950) was an American Democratic Party (United States), Democratic politician from Boston, Massachusetts. Fitzgerald served as mayor of Boston and a member of the United State ...
* Hugh O'Brien * John C. Park * Timothy Francis Walsh


See also

* Charitable Irish Society of Halifax


References


External links

* Irish-American organizations Irish-American culture in Boston Clubs and societies in Boston 1737 establishments in the Province of Massachusetts Bay Organizations established in 1737 Philanthropic organizations based in the United States {{US-philanthropy-org-stub