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Theresa O’Connor / Treasa Ní Chonchúir

Mom

took a red-eye home to attend a surprise celebration of my mother: Brenda O’Connor, . We celebrated her years of work to uplift the Irish and Irish-American communities on Boston’s South Shore. Neither Scituate’s sister city relationship with West Cork nor the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail would exist without her dedication, tenacity, and hard work.

The Tinker’s Son was packed with family, friends, and community members there to honor her efforts. A number of dignitaries spoke and/or presented her with awards, gifts, and proclamations, including Síghle FitzGerald, Ireland’s Consul General in New England, Senator (and cousin) Patrick O’Connor, Rep. Joan Meschino, Select Board Member James Gilmore, and members of each of her committees. Rep. Patrick Kearney couldn’t make it, but had a proclamation read on his behalf.

A whole bunch of people stand together to pose for a photo.
L–R, front row: my brother-in-law Shawn, yours truly, my sister Kathleen, Auntie Anne, Mom, Dad, Maureen Palmer, and Senator Patrick O’Connor. In the back, a slew of Gills: Brendan, Barbara, Eddie, Karen, and Brian.