Boston Mayors with Irish Ancestry, 1885

Boston Mayors with Irish Ancestry, 1885 - Present

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-

Martin J. Walsh is the twelfth Mayor of Boston to claim Irish ancestry. The tradition dates back to 1884, when Irish immigrant Hugh O'Brien of County Cork became the first Irish-born mayor elected in Boston, serving four one-year terms (1885-88). He was followed by Irish-born Patrick Collins (1902-05), also of County Cork, who died in office. John F. Fitzgerald became the first American-born mayor of Irish descent; he served two terms. James Michael Curley served four terms in four different decades.

From 1930 to 1993, the Boston Mayor's office was held continuously by a Bostonian of Irish descent. Mayor Walsh began his term of office in January 2014, and began his second term in January 2018.

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

For year round details on Irish activities in greater Boston, visit IrishBoston.org.

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Irish Boston History & Heritage

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