An Irish Presence in the Boston Public Garden

Established in 1837 as the nation’s first public botanical garden, Boston’s Public Garden is one of the city’s most cherished open spaces, with majestic swan boats gliding across a lagoon, seasonal flower arrangements delighting visitors, statues of important Bostonians and the iconic Make Way for Ducklings statues that delight children of all ages.  The 24-acre park is maintained year-round by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department with support from the Friends of the Public Garden. 

The Public Garden is a stop along the Boston Irish Heritage Trail, a collection of 20 landmarks from the waterfront to Fenway Park that takes you on a 300+ year journey through the city's illustrious history. 

Here are a few landmarks to visit the next time you are in the Public Garden.

Swan Boats 

Public Garden Lagoon 

The majestic swan boats in the Public Garden lagoon were created in 1877 by Irish immigrants, Robert Paget and his wife Julia (Coffey). A boatbuilder by trade, Robert developed a catamaran propelled by foot pedals to sail around the quarter mile lake. He designed a swan to cover the captain pedaling the boat, an idea inspired by the popular Wagner opera, Lohengrin. The boats were an immediate success. “The swan-gondolas that sail so gracefully on the bosom of the lake are beautiful and picturesque additions to the scene,” wrote The Boston Globe on June 16, 1877, while advocating for the boats to operate on Sunday, the Sabbath. Four generations later, the swan boats are still operated by the great-grandchildren of Julia and Robert Paget and are more popular than ever.    Read more details here.

William Doogue

19th Century Botanist 

During his tenure as Superintendent of Common and Public Grounds from 1878 to 1906, William Doogue set the high standard for landscape garden excellence in the Public Garden. Born in Stradbally, Queen’s County (now Laois), Ireland in 1828, he and his seven siblings emigrated with their parents to Connecticut in 1840, where he trained as a botanist, gaining renowned for his floral arrangement at the 1876 Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia. In Boston, “Doogue planted hundreds of trees on the Public Garden and Common, including many rare and valuable species,” wrote the Boston Globe, while overseeing the city’s 70 parks, squares and open spaces. His creative and daring floral displays in the Public Garden thrilled visitors. At the city’s green houses, Doogue grew everything from Irish ivy and shamrocks to exotic ferns, palms and young rubber plants from around the world.  Read more details here.

Colonel Thomas Cass Statue

Public Garden along Boylston Street 

A bronze memorial created by artist Richard E. Brooks depicts Colonel Thomas Cass, Civil War leader of the 9th Massachusetts Volunteers, composed of Irish immigrants who had enlisted to fight for the Union. The memorial was dedicated on September 22, 1899 at a ceremony attended by Boston Mayor Josiah Quincy, Cass' family and members of the Fighting 9th, replacing an earlier memorial that was deemed insufficient. Born in Queen's County (Laois), Ireland, Thomas Cass (1821-1862) emigrated to Boston at age nine. A local businessman and School Committee member, Cass formed the Irish regiment in 1861, and bravely led his men into battle during the Civil War. Fatally wounded at the Battle of Malvern Hill, Cass was taken back to Boston, where he died on July 12, 1862.  Read more details here.

Make Way for Ducklings Statues 

Near the Corner of Charles and Beacon

Artist Robert McCloskey published his classic children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings” in 1941 and over the past eight decades it has become one of Boston’s favorite stories. The tale involves a mother and her eight baby ducklings trying to waddle their way from the Charles River to the Public Garden while navigating past rushing cars and bicycles. A couple of policemen named Michael and Clancy step in to help, by stopping traffic and bringing the family to safety. The mallards eventually make their home on the tiny island in the Public Garden lagoon, close to the beloved swan boats.

In 1987, a bronze depiction of the mallard family, created by sculptor Nancy Schoen, was dedicated in the Public Garden. Each season the ducklings are decorated with appropriate attire, such as green hat and ribbons for St. Patrick’s Day. Mr. McCloskey was named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress in April 2000.  Read about the annual Ducking Day here.

Ether Monument 

Near the Corner of Arlington and Beacon

The Ether Monument "commemorates a medical breakthrough: the use of ether as an anesthetic, a pivotal moment in medical history," writes the Friends of the Public Garden, stewards of the park along with Boston Common and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward modeled the statue atop the monument depicting a Good Samaritan caring for an injured stranger, along with the bas reliefs.  The intricate granite carvings and lettering were done by Irish immigrant Garret Barry, a talented stone cutter in Quincy.

On April 21, 1986, city officials led by Boston Mayor Ray Flynn and Veterans Services Director Tom Lyons, along with Henry Lee of the Friends of the Public Garden, placed this plaque on the bridge crossing the lagoon on the Public Garden, in memory of Charlestown native Michael Patrick Quinn, a US Marine who died in Vietnam. The Boston Latin School graduate had worked summers on the swan boats.

For information about other public landmarks, buildings and parks connected to the Boston Irish community, visit irishheritagetrail.com.