Irish Heritage & Remembrance
Honoring the past while building meaningful connections for the future.
The Brig St. John
The wreck of the Brig St. John off Cohasset in 1849 claimed 99 lives. Our Division helps preserve the memory of those lost, the survivors, and the local people who responded to the tragedy.
Annual remembrance brings history into the present through prayer, storytelling and community participation.
Global Irish Famine Way
Cohasset has been selected as a Global Irish Famine Way site. A bronze-shoes memorial is planned for dedication on May 2, 2027.
The project also supports Great Hunger education and the development of additional heritage connections across the South Shore.
Learn about the Bronze Shoe Society and its support for remembrance, education and charitable outreach. Explore the Global Irish Famine Way Project →
The Easter Rising Proclamation Monument
On Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, Irish republicans proclaimed an independent Irish Republic in Dublin. Although the Rising was defeated after six days, it became a defining moment in the struggle for Irish independence.
At 1 Cole Parkway in Scituate Harbor, beside the Morrill Memorial Bandstand, a granite monument reproduces the words of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic. The monument was installed in 2020 and formally dedicated on April 24, 2022, after pandemic restrictions delayed the ceremony. Made possible through private donations and the contributions of local residents, it stands as a lasting tribute to the South Shore’s connections with Ireland.
The photograph on our homepage shows members and guests gathered for the monument’s dedication.
Explore the Heritage Trail stop ↗
Preserving Plymouth’s Dublin Neighborhood
Plymouth’s historic Dublin neighborhood represents an important chapter in the story of Irish immigration and the generations of Irish-American families who helped shape our community.
The Father John Murphy Division is proud to have participated in the Dublin Neighborhood Historical Marker Project, helping recognize and preserve this important part of Plymouth’s local history.
Working alongside our partners at the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail, we continue to promote the stories, contributions, and lasting legacy of the Irish throughout Plymouth County and the South Shore.
Explore the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail ↗