Irish Boston History & Heritage

The American premiere of "Long Day's Journey Into Night" by American playwright Eugene O'Neill was performed at The Wilbur Theatre from October 16-27, 1956, and was described as "one of the splendid. dramatic accomplishments of the decade." Boston Globe theater critic Cyrus Durgin wrote the glowing review of the production, director and actors, and to the playwright himself. "As matters have turned out, this the last play left to us by the late Eugene O'Neill. More than that, it is a great play, with three its roles supremely well acted, and it has been staged with comprehension 'and a sensitivity which are absolute. At the final curtain the house rang with cheers--something almost unheard a Boston theater in this reviewer's time. "The acclaim obviously was directed at Frederic March, Florence Eldridge and Jason Robards Jr., but it must also have included the creator of this piercingly emotional drama. Long Day's Journey Into Nig...

  Reprinted from the Boston Business Journal October 20, 2003 By Michael P. Quinlin It was St. Brendan who carried the first planeload of Aer Lingus passengers from Boston to Ireland 45 years ago, on Oct. 5, 1958. In those days, when the skies were still considered the heavens, Aer Lingus christened each of its carriers after a saint. And who better to transport Boston dignitaries across the ocean than a plane named for the Irish monk who, according to lore, discovered North America back in the sixth century? Boston was in a state of urban renewal in the late 1950s, transforming itself from "a hopeless backwater" to a modern metropolis. Logan International Airport was fast becoming a gateway for the burgeoning travel industry, and airport officials accurately envisioned Boston one day becoming a gateway to the world. The inaugural flight that bright fall day was an Irish affair start to finish. Business leaders, journalists and travel agents with Irish names tagged along, pro...