To celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day every year, Scituate holds a fun-filled celebration. Known as the most Irish town in America, Scituate takes pride in its heritage, from restaurants, museums, and artifacts. Whether you’re Irish or not, Scituate offers countless opportunities to embrace their Irish roots.
Scituate’s Irish History
Before we can share all of the ways to celebrate, we must explain Scituate’s Irish history. When The Great Famine began in Ireland, Irish immigrants fled to America, finding a home in Scituate. Those who relocated to Boston also spent their summers in Scituate where they eventually settled full-time.
When these immigrants made their way to the town, they noticed a moss that grew in Ireland was very abundant in Scituate. Called Irish Moss, this algae helped create the mossing industry that was present until the 1990s.
Scituate Irish Sites to Visit
During your time in Scituate, you’ll notice how countless spots recognize the town’s Irish roots.
South Shore Irish Heritage Trail
Launched in Spring 2022, the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail extends from Weymouth to Plymouth, including our town of Scituate. When walking along the trail, you’ll learn various things about Scituate’s Irish history. Ships from the South Shore transported corn to Cork, Ireland. Also, many South Shore towns had a “little Dublin,” of their own. You’ll also find the Easter Rising Memorial and the Maritime Irish Mossing Museum.
Easter Rising Memorial
The Easter Rising Memorial, next to the bandstand in Scituate Harbor, is a granite monument commemorating the Irish Republic. On Easter Monday in 1916, Irish Nationalists launched a revolt against British Rule in Ireland. This began the eventual establishment of the Republic of Ireland.
Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum
Open only on Sundays from 1 to 3 pm, the Maritime Irish Mossing Museum teaches visitors all about the mossing history in Scituate. Irish immigrant Daniel Ward was responsible for starting the industry in the 1800s, and it lasted until the 1990s. The museum includes six exhibits with a descriptive video for each. One specific exhibit, the Irish Mossing Room, lets visitors learn how workers hauled Irish moss from the ocean floor up to shore.
If you’re looking for more Irish moss history, Hawk Hickman, a retired Irish Mosser, will take you on a boat ride in the harbor. He’ll share all his tales of the mossing days. Reach out to him at harleyhawk43@gmail.com for more details.
Hennessey News, Village Market, Goody’s, Welches, and the Scituate Arts Association
Hennessey News and Village Market offer Irish souvenir tee shirts, hats, and other special gifts. You’ll find unique craft stores like Goody’s, Welches, and the Scituate Arts Association which sell various colorful Irish antiques, prints, and art.
Irish Restaurants
Scituate is home to various Irish pubs and restaurants. Try the best Irish cuisine at the Hibernian Tavern, Galley Kitchen & Bar, or The Voyage Irish Pub & Restaurant. You’ll find endless drink and food options from the classic Guinness, an Irish breakfast, and other delicacies.
Scituate St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The 2024 St. Patrick’s Day celebration will take place on Sunday, March 17 from 11 am to 5 pm. It will begin at the Veterans Memorial Gym on 327 First Parish Road and end at 44 Jericho Road. Since its beginning, the parade has grown five times in size and includes various vendors, bands, homemade floats, and fun.
Scituate takes much pride in its Irish history, filling our town with monuments, trails, museums, and delicacies. Celebrate with us today.