'Guide to the Boston Irish' book published in 1985 by Quinlin Campbell Publishers

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Guide to the Boston Irish, an innovative compendium of all things Irish in greater Boston, was first published in summer 1985 by Quinlin Campbell Publishers, a Boston-based company that had been importing books from Ireland since 1979.  

The 88 page book contained descriptions and contact information for more than 250 Irish cultural and heritage groups as well as musicians and dancers, educational classes and Irish library collections, pubs and restaurants, gift shops and travel agencies, parades and festivals, sports and language groups, and travel contacts for visiting Ireland. 

In addition to greater Boston, the Guide also had listings for Cape Cod and Rhode Island, Western Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. It was sold in bookstores and retail shops, and used as a directory of the area's large Irish and Irish-American community. 

Boston Mayor Raymond L. Flynn wrote the book's Introduction, and called it "an invaluable resource for those who want to learn more about a culture that is alive and well in this part of the country."

The Guide was researched and written by Michael Quinlin, founder of Quinlin Campbell Publishers, who wrote, "We hope the Guide will encourage (Irish) groups to work together to achieve mutual goals" as a community. 

The response to the Guide was so positive that a second edition of the book was published in 1987, renamed the Guide to the New England Irish to reflect information covering all six states.  The 1987 edition had several printings, and was replaced by the third and final edition of Guide to the New England Irish co-written by Michael and Colette Quinlin and published in June 1994.

The project continued to elicit interest and praise, and eventually evolved into Boston Irish Tourism Association, a year-round initiative to promote Irish cultural activities in New England and travel to Ireland on its web site, irishboston.org.

 








 

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