Homecoming of Boston Mayor to Rosmuc

Hundreds of cars lined the roads of Rosmuc to celebrate the homecoming of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. He was greeted like a hero at a reception held in at Screebe House by a crowd of more than 1,000 people.
While small bonfires warmed attendees outside Screebe House, an emotional Walsh addressed the crowd in an overflowing marquee, the scene was that of a family reunion.
Although much of the trip was about business, it was also about Walsh’s return to a region he is deeply connected to through his parents and family. Walsh spoke of the struggles his parents endured before they left for greener shores.
“A lot of my aunts and uncles here tonight left these shores to go to somewhere else to send money back home. And then I see my cousin’s generation, who didn’t have to leave to send money back home and had the opportunity through college and education or through trades because it’s a different Ireland today.” Walsh said.
Walsh’s mother and father left Connemara separately in the 1950s and they made their way to the United States, eventually meeting at the Intercontinental Club, a dancehall on Dudley Street in Boston.
“Opportunity is there today in Connemara because people took a journey across the ocean to Boston,” Walsh said.
The improvement in job prospects for residents of Connemara was apparent in the makeup of some of the organisers of the event. Two teachers from a nearby school were some of the key organisers of the event. Connemara native and Dorchester resident Peter O’Malley helped to organize the reception and said that they were able to secure Screebe House for free a few months ago during a visit here with
the help of Jackie Lyons.
“It’s a small community and to see this kind of turnout is amazing,” said O’Malley, who moved to America in 1973.
Walsh was at a loss for words when he closed his speech.
“All I can say is the night I won the election we were in a room like this: it was hot, it was sweaty and people were excited and I think when I got on the stage I talked about where I came from and who I am. When I got sworn in at Boston College on January 6 I talked about the same thing, about where my roots are and what’s important to me. I am standing up here because of all of you. I will never forget the welcome that I received here in Connemara,” Walsh said.
It was such an honour for me, Jackie Lyons, and everyone at Screebe to help in hosting the homecoming, some of my family and friends in Boston helped in his election campaign and are all home in Rosmuc to welcome “The first Connemara Mayor of Boston Martin J Walsh”. It was a truly historical night in Screebe and Rosmuc’s history and won’t be forgotten for a long time to come.
Congratulations to Jackie Lyons and all those in Screebe who played such a huge part in this historical visit from all at Corrib News.