Gaelic Poet Pádraig Ó hÉigeartaigh (1870-1936) of Springfield, Massachusetts

Tombstone of Patrick and Catherine Hagerty, St. Michael's Cemetery

A graveside event honoring Gaelic poet Patrick F. Hagerty (1870-1936), was held at St. Michael's Cemetery in Springfield MA on Sunday, June 20, 1953, by members of Clan Na Gael and IRA Veterans of America, according to a story in The Boston Globe.

Hagerty, whose Irish name was Pádraig Ó hÉigeartaigh, played a pivotal role in the Irish community of Springfield and western Massachusetts throughout his life. He was a founder of the Springfield Gaelic School, which offered classes in the Gaelic language in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

He helped organize an annual Feis in Springfield, under the auspices of the United Irish Society, that ran for many years. The first Feis attracted 400+ delegates from Springfield, Worcester, Boston, Hartford and Holyoke, according to the Holyoke Daily Transcript, November 1, 1904.

Hagerty's Gaelic poetry was praised by many scholars and Irish leaders, including Padraic Pearse, according to the Globe story on June 22, 1953.

Hagerty was also a fervent Irish patriot and member of Clan na Gael and Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was a member of the John Boyle O'Reilly Club in Springfield, which flourishes today.

Read more about Hegerty's life and poetry, and about Irish activities today at the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England.

For year round information on Irish culture in Massachusetts, visit IrishMassachusetts.com.

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