Boston Mayors of Irish Descent, 1885-2021

(Originally published in 2013, this post was updated in 2021)

Here are the Mayors of Boston Claiming Irish Heritage:

Hugh O’Brien 1885–88
Patrick Collins 1902–05
John F. Fitzgerald 1906–07, 1910–13
James M. Curley 1914–17, 1922–25, 1930–33, 1946–49
Frederick W. Mansfield 1934–37
Maurice Tobin 1938–41, 1941-44
John Kerrigan 1945
John B. Hynes 1950–59
John Collins 1960–68
Kevin H. White 1968–83
Raymond L. Flynn 1984–93
Martin J. Walsh 2014- 2021

The lineage of Boston mayors with Irish ancestry dates back to 1885, when Irish immigrant Hugh O'Brien of County Cork assumed office and became the first Irish-born mayor elected in Boston, serving four one-year terms (1885-88).

O'Brien was followed by Irish-born Patrick Collins (1902-05), also of County Cork, who died in office in 1905. He was replaced by John F. Fitzgerald, who became the first American-born mayor of Irish descent, serving two terms.

A noteworthy mayor was James Michael Curley, served four terms in four different decades.

From Curley in 1930 to Raymond L. Flynn in 1993, the Boston Mayor's office was held continuously by a Bostonian of Irish descent.

Martin J. Walsh is the twelfth Mayor of Boston to claim Irish ancestry. He served from 2014-2021.

For more about Boston's Irish heritage, visit the Irish Heritage Trail.

Information taken from Irish Boston: A Lively Look at Boston's Colorful Irish Past, 2nd edition, by Michael Quinlin / Publisher: Globe Pequot Press / Publication Date: October 2013.

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