[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATlNG THE JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY CLUB ON THE OCCASION OF ITS
125TH ANNIVERSARY
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HON. RICHARD E. NEAL
of massachusetts
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 3, 2005
Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
John Boyle O'Reilly Club in Springfield, Massachusetts on the occasion
of its 125th Anniversary. Since it was founded in 1880, the John Boyle
O'Reilly Club has been the center of Irish culture in western
Massachusetts. From music, language, dancing to sport, the Boyle has
promoted and preserved the unique culture of Ireland for generations.
On Saturday, November 5, 2005, two hundred members of the John Boyle
O'Reilly Club will hold a banquet to celebrate this historic milestone.
The Irish Ambassador to the United States of America will attend the
ceremony to pay tribute to the enormous contribution the club has made
to the local community. It will be a heartfelt and fitting celebration
of culture, tradition and family.
The Irish poet W. B. Yeats once wrote: ``Think where man's glory most
begins and ends/and say my glory was I had such friends.'' That
sentiment helps describe what the JBO means to many of its members.
More than just a social club, the Boyle has become a familiar setting
for every occasion on life's journey. For many families in the Pioneer
Valley, it is a special place that has produced fond memories and
lasting friendships.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to
an important group of individuals associated with the John Boyle
O'Reilly Club. President Mary Quinn, Vice-President Patrick Burns,
Treasurer Joseph Walsh and Secretary Patricia Devine deserve particular
recognition for their leadership during this anniversary year.
The Board of Directors, which includes Patrick Reilly, Mary Kate
O'Connor, Timothy Hurley, Matthew Dooney, Eric Levine and Stephen
Lonergan should also be acknowledged for their dedication and
commitment.
And finally, I want to congratulate the members of the club who are
directly responsible for its success and longevity. On their behalf, I
would like to submit this history of the club, written by member Dan
Shea, into the permanent Record of the United States Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the 109th Congress to join me in
recognizing the John Boyle O'Reilly Club on the occasion of its 125th
Anniversary. Let us hope this local landmark continues to celebrate the
culture of Ireland for at least another century.
The John Boyle O'Reilly Club, 1880-2005, 125 Years of Culture,
Tradition, and Family
This year the John Boyle O'Reilly Club celebrates its 125th
Anniversary. The John Boyle O'Reilly Club is Western
Massachusetts' oldest continuous Irish-American organization.
The Club was originally organized in 1880. It initially went
by other names but subsequently took the name of the famous
Irishman, John Boyle O'Reilly, shortly after his death in
1890. During this time period, various Irish organizations
drilled and trained for when the time came to return to
Ireland and fight for Irish freedom. The John Boyle O'Reilly
Club was one of the hosts when Irish President Eamon Develara
came to the United Sates in 1921 to seek funds for the newly
proclaimed Irish Republic. The call to return to Ireland
never came but the organization stayed and promoted the
ideals of Irish freedom and Irish culture.
The John Boyle O'Reilly Club has been housed in several
locations through out the years. In the early 1900s the Club
would have its meetings above Linehan's Saloon on Worthington
Street. In 1933, the Club incorporated and received its
corporate charter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
its liquor license from the city of Springfield. At that time
the club was located at the old Poli building on Worthington
Street. The club moved to Hampden Street in 1943. On Sundays,
local Irish musicians would play live music on WBZA in the
old Hotel Charles and then walk over to Hampden Street and
play music for the rest of the day. The John Boyle O'Reilly
Club moved the second floor of 1653 Main Street in 1955.
In 1970, the John Boyle O'Reilly Club purchased the present
building at 33 Progress Avenue in Springfield. The building
was a mere shell of a structure when purchased. Many members
volunteered labor and material to finish construction and to
complete the interior. The John Boyle O'Reilly Club opened
its doors on Progress Avenue in March of 1972. There have
been several renovations over the years to make the
surroundings more enjoyable for the members and guests of the
John Boyle O'Reilly Club.
Throughout the years, the John Boyle O'Reilly Club has held
many dances, concerts, Celi, music lesson, Irish language
lessons, bagpipe lessons, sessions, and benefits for many
families who fell on hard times due to injury, illness or an
unexpected death.
The John Boyle O'Reilly Club continues its mission of being
a home for Irish-American culture, whether it is Irish step
dancing, music, the live broadcast of the Gaelic Football and
Hurling Games from Ireland, or meeting with friends and
family. It may be known as ``the Boyle,'' `` the JBO'' or
simply ``the Club,'' but it still is a place for Irish-
Americans of all ages to come and enjoy one of the finest
Irish Clubs in New England. The John Boyle O'Reilly Club
continues to look forward to being the home of Irish American
culture and celebrations in the coming years. We look forward
to the coming year and invite all of our members and friends
to come and celebrate the 125 years of culture, tradition,
and family with the John Boyle O'Reilly Club.
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