[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

                                 ______
                                 

                          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.

                          ____________________