Michael Quinlin - Irish Boston: A Lively Look at Bostons Colorful Irish Past

Michael Quinlin has written several books about the Irish in New England and is editor of Classic Irish Stories(Lyons Press). His articles have appeared in the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald,the Christian Science Monitor, the Irish Echo, andIrish America magazine. A founder of the Boston Irish Tourism Association and creator of Bostons Irish Heritage Trail, he lives in Milton, Massachusetts, with his wife, Colette, and son Devin.

FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, AND STRANGERS all come to the fore when a book is getting written, and I am grateful for the assistance of many people for helping me along the way. My sister Margaret Quinlin shared her publishing expertise at every turn, and Michael Coffey has offered sound publishing advice and friendship through the years. Judith Rosen of Cambridge shaped my original proposal for the first edition, and editor Erin Turner guided me on the revised edition with patience and encouragement. Speaking of patience, thanks to Ellen Urban, book project manager, for her forbearance along the way. And to copy editor Eileen Clawson for her fine-tuning of the text.

I am grateful to my friends Seamus Connolly and Brian ODonovan and the late Michael Cummings and David R. Burke for sharing their knowledge and perspective with me. I salute the late professor Thomas OConnor, who read my original manuscript and whose books continue to instruct me. Thanks to Ray OHanlon of the Irish Echo and Patricia Harty of Irish America magazine for allowing me to publish my research on Boston Irish history over the years.

I am indebted to librarians and archivists who helped me locate obscure and relevant material for this project. At the Boston Public Library, these include Henry Scannell and staff in the Microtext Department, Aaron Schmidt in the Print Department, and Susan Glover and staff in the Rare Books Department. Beth Sweeney at the Irish Music Archives, John J. Burns Library, Boston College; Robert Johnson at the Boston Archdiocese Archives; Dr. John McColgan and Kristen Swett at City of Boston Archives; Susan Greendyke at the Massachusetts State House Art Commission; Tom McNaught and Colleen Cooney at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum; and James Feeney at the Boston Athenaeum provided invaluable assistance.

Finally, my love and affection go to my wife, Colette, and son, Devin, for their encouragement and good humor throughout this project; to Leo McLaughlin; and always to my familythe late Johnny Quinlin and to Marie, Margaret, Sheila, Patricia, Kathleen, and Annfor their unwavering support and devotion.

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