"All things Irish", is the goal of the 45th Annual Newport Irish Heritage Month with family fun events, guided tours, the 66th Annual Newport St. Patrick's Day Parade and more Irish-themed happenings occurring all month long thanks to The Museum of Newport Irish History. 

Find all March events for embracing Irish culture in and around Newport below.

COVID-19 NOTE:

When you're ready, we can't wait to welcome you back to The Classic Coast. Rest assured, the safety and well-being of both visitors and locals remains our top priority.  All we ask when you land on these shores is that you play your part in keeping everyone safe. Please be kind and adhere to local guidelines. 

Newport Irish Heritage Month Events

1 Museum of Newport Irish History Interpretive Center

Where:
648 Thames St., Newport
When:
March 4th - 6th, 11th - 13th, 18th - 20th
Cost:
Admission by donation. MNIH Members and children under 16 are free.

Learn about Irish immigration to the Newport area and of the contributions to the community by individuals of Irish descent from the 1600s to the present through various exhibits, including photographs, artifacts and more.

 

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Irish History Museum

 

2 Annual Trolley Tour of Irish Newport

Where:
Hibernian Hall, 2 Wellington Ave., Newport.
When:
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, Two Departures: 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM
Cost:
Free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Explore “Irish Newport” on this narrated tour presented by the Museum of Newport Irish History. These 2-hour tours will include stops at sites connected with Newport’s Irish heritage, including Forty Steps and the Barney Street Cemetery. Tours include an introductory visit to the Museum’s Interpretive Center on Lower Thames Street. Sponsored by Viking Tours of Newport in memory of Karen A. Oakley.

 

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3 Guided Tours of Fort Adams

Where:
Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport
When:
Saturdays and Sundays in March, at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM
Cost:
$15 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-17 and children, 5 and under are free. Mention Irish Heritage Month for a $3 discount.

Take a guided tour of the historic Newport fort constructed with Irish labor between 1824-1857. Hour-long tours will be offered at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, on Saturdays and Sundays in March, weather permitting. 

*Fort Adams is closed on Saturday, March 12th due to the Newport St. Patrick's Day Parade!

 

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4 Grand Marshal Roast

Where:
St. Augustin’s Church Hall, corner of Carroll Ave. & Harrison Ave., Newport
When:
Saturday, March 5th at 5:30 PM
Cost:
$25, includes hors d’oeuvres and music by Rhode to Dublin

The roast will honor this year’s Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal, Robert “Rocky” Kempenaar II. Tickets are $25 and include hors d’oeuvres and music by Rhode to Dublin. Sponsored by: The Parade Committee.        

 

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5 “The Irish Hour”

Where:
1540AM WADK in Newport
When:
Sunday's in March from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Listen to the best in traditional and contemporary Irish or Irish-influenced music. Hosted by Rick Kelly for over 25 years.

 

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6 Historic Irish Cemetery Tour

Where:
Saint Joseph Cemetery, corner of Barney and Mt. Vernon Streets, Newport
When:
Sunday March 6th, 20th and 27th at 12:30 PM

Take a tour of the historic Saint Joseph Cemetery, known locally as the Barney Street Cemetery. Located at the corner of Barney and Mt. Vernon Streets in Newport, is the oldest Catholic cemetery in Rhode Island, and the site of the state’s first Catholic church (1828), which served Newport’s growing Irish immigrant community. The outdoor tour of approximately 30 minutes, given by a historian/guide with the Museum of Newport Irish History, is held, weather permitting.

 

MORE WAYS TO EXPLORE:
 
  • Take a virtual tour of the Cemetery here.
  • Watch lecture "Newport's Early Irish Community and Rhode Island’s First Catholic Church," presented by Steve Marino (from September 2020), here.
 
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7 Traditional Irish Music Sessions

Where:
The Fastnet Pub, One Broadway, Newport
When:
Sunday March 6th, 20th and 27th from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Live traditional Irish music. Hosted by A.O. Gutierrez, Tim May and Jack Wright. Family-friendly. Tables fill up fast, arrive early if you’d like a seat.

 
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Fastnet Restaurant & Bar

 

10 Put Your Face on a Pint of Guinness

Where:
Malt on Broadway
When:
March 8th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Like latte art, but on a Guinness. Yes, beer foam art is now a thing, and you can try it for yourself on March 8th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Malt Restaurant on Broadway, where they will be putting a picture of your face on a pint of Guinness. Take picture proof before the foam is sipped away or it didn't happen!

 

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9 “Big Daddy” Award Ceremony and Pre-Parade Party

Where:
Hibernian Hall, 2 Wellington Ave., Newport
When:
Friday, March 11th at 6:00 PM
Cost:
Free

This year’s "Big Daddy" will be honored at this free, pre-parade event. Hors d'oeuvres will be served. Entertainment will include Collume Cille and Banda La Gaites Austries Spanish Pipes and Drums bands, along with a DJ.

 
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10 Concert by Irish & Celtic music band, "Turas"

Where:
Linden Place, 500 Hope Street, Bristol
When:
Friday, March 11th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost:
$15, $10 for Linden Place members (free for Colt Circle Members). Cash bar.

Enjoy, fireside in the Linden Place ballroom, traditional Irish and Celtic music as well as modern compositions. The band Turas, which means "journey" in Gaelic, features Bob Drouin, Josh Kane, Rob McConegh and Dean Robinson. Together they will bring the sounds of Ireland to Bristol.

 
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11 Mass in Honor of St. Patrick & St. Brigid

Where:
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Broadway & Mann Ave., Newport
When:
Saturday, March 12th at 9:00 AM

Given in memory of the deceased members of the Newport Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernian and deceased members of the former Newport Irish Heritage Association. Officiant: Very Rev. Francis A. O’Loughlin, Pastor of Jesus Saviour Church and chaplain of the Newport Ancient Order of Hibernians.

 

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12 66th Annual Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Where:
BEGINS NEWPORT CITY HALL, PROCEEDS DOWN THAMES ST. TO CARROLL AVE. THE FIFTH WARD
When:
Saturday, March 12th at 11:00 AM

Named one of the best St. Patrick’s Day Parades and Celebrations in New England by USA Today and Yankee Magazine, Newport’s first parade took place in 1956. Today, thousands of people line the streets of downtown to enjoy the two-hour parade featuring pipe and marching bands, fife and drum corps, reenactment units, and a host of local, state, and regional organizations including police and fire units, social/fraternal organizations, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Schools, and non-profits. This year’s parade is dedicated to the memory of Garrett M. "Gary" Loftus. Grand Marshal is Robert “Rocky” Kempenaar II.

The parade will be followed by parties throughout town, family events, live music and more. 

 
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Saint Patrick's Day Parade

 

13 Post-Parade Celebration

Where:
Hibernian Hall, 2 Wellington Ave. Newport
When:
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Cost:
$25. Cash bar.

Corned Beef sandwiches and plenty of Irish Music by the McMurphy’s and DJ Murph complete this post-parade party hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Tickets available from the bartender at Hibernian Hall via check, credit card or cash.

 

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14 14TH ANNUAL SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FAMILY CELEBRATION

Where:
MARTIN RECREATION CENTER “THE HUT” - 35 GOLDEN HILL STREET
When:
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 FROM 1:00PM TO 4:00PM
Cost:
FREE

Make your way to "the Hut" for a classic good time at no cost and a chance to win prizes and money. There will be entertainment with; Bag Pipers, Irish step dancers, pirates, face painting, and more. Entry is free, but please note this is a non-alcohol event.

 

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15 Mass in Honor of St. Patrick

Where:
St. Mary’s Church, Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard, Newport
When:
Sunday, MARCH 13 at 11:00 AM

This annual service at St. Mary's Church is in memory of deceased members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the victims of the Great Famine. The church was designed by Irish American architect Patrick C. Keeley. Construction began in 1847, and it was dedicated in 1852 to “The Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle.”

 

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16 HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

When:
Thursday, March 17th

Sláinte!  Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by making your way to one of Newport's Irish pubs for a taste of these classic Irish entrees. 

 
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Buskers Irish Coffee

 

17 The High Kings, Live in Concert

Where:
Jane Pickens Theater Film & Event Center, 49 Touro Street on Washington Square, Newport
When:
Saturday, March 19th at 7:30 PM
Cost:
$49-$59

Irish ballad group comprised of Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy, Paul O’ Brien live at the Jane Pickens Theater Film & Events Center.

 

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18 Lecture: Presented by the Museum of Newport Irish History

Where:
The Wayfinder Hotel, 151 Admiral Kalbfus Rd, Newport and via Zoom.
When:
Wednesday, March 23rd at 6:00 PM
Cost:
A fee, to be paid at the door, applies for in-person participation. No fee for Zoom participation.

The Life and Times of Patrick J. Boyle, Newport’s first Irish Mayor,” by guest speaker: Steve Marino. Reception with light hors d'oeuvres to follow (cash bar). Part of the Michael F. Crowley Lecture Series, now in its 20th season. Reservations required for both in-person and virtual participation. 

 

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19 Corned Beef and Cabbage “Grab & Go” Dinner

Where:
Saint Augustin’s Church Hall, located at corner of Carroll and Harrison Avenues
Dates:
Pre-order: by March 19th, Pick-up: on March 26th following the 4:00 PM mass to 6:30 PM
Cost:
Adults $25, Children aged 10 and under $10.

This "grab & go" Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner is sponsored by the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH). It begins immediately following the 4:00 PM Mass at St. Augustin’s Church and ends at 6:30 PM. 

All dinners must be pre-ordered by March 19. To order, find more details here. 

 

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20 Dancing at the Forty Steps

Where:
Cliff Walk, east end of Narragansett Avenue
When:
Sunday, March 27th at 3:00 PM
Cost:
Free, outdoor event.

Join the official closing event of the 45th Annual Newport Irish Heritage Month by commemorating the informal dances held there by the Irish who made Newport their home in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sponsored by the Museum of Newport Irish History, the annual event will feature live traditional Irish music, demonstrations of Irish set dancing led by Donal and Mary Lehane, and the Ancient Order of Hibernian Men Singers. Weather permitting.

 

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