Around New England

Barrel ‘o Laughs On Tap For Annual St. Patrick’s Day Brunch In Southie, As Elizabeth Warren and Maura Healey Are Headliners

March 11, 2024

The annual St. Patrick’s Day brunch in South Boston, once known for zingers and Irish songs from longtime Massachusetts Senate president William Bulger, is set to be headlined this coming weekend by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Governor Maura Healey.

The host is state Senator Nick Collins (D-South Boston). This is his fifth time hosting the event. He is the fourth host (after, in chronological order, Stephen Lynch, Jack Hart, and Linda Dorcena Forry) since Bulger left office as state senator from Southie in 1996.

The brunch, which is at Iron Workers Local 7 Union Hall at 195 Old Colony Avenue in South Boston, is designed to be part celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and Irish heritage, part political roast.

In March 1987, when Bulger hosted the event, both of the eventual 1988 major nominees for president made appearances – Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis in person, and then-Vice President George H.W. Bush by telephone.

This year’s list of expected public office holders includes U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Hyde Park), Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Suffolk County district attorney Kevin Hayden, and state Representative David Biele (D-South Boston).

Critics say the quality has diminished in recent years. Boston Herald columnist Joe Battenfeld in March 2022 called the event “overrated and unwatchable.”

It can be watched, however.

New England Cable News and New England Sports Network plan to broadcast the event live starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 17. Radio coverage begins at 9:30 a.m. on WROL AM 950 and on Boston Neighborhood News Network.

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