This Saturday, the city of Boston will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday honoring the British missionary and patron saint of Ireland. To coincide with this Irish holiday, we are taking a look at the artwork in the gallery that connects to Ireland and the United Kingdom, Irish culture, and Boston’s Irish history!

Sue Dragoo, “May the Road Rise Up to Meet You,” oil, 12 x 12”

Now on view in “Journeys” is Sue Dragoo’s painting of the Irish countryside. Appropriately, Dragoo named the piece after the famous Irish blessing, “May the Road Rise Up to Meet You.”

Meg McLean, “Devon, From the Top of the Bus,” oil on panel, 6 x6”

Meg McLean, “Grazing with a View to the Sea, Devon,” oil on panel, 6 x 6,” SOLD

While St. Patrick is revered as the patron saint of Ireland, he was actually born in Britain. In our small works exhibition “Journeys,” Meg McLean depicts scenic views of Britain in a lush, green palette.

Page Railsback, “Brooklyn,” acrylic, 36 x 36”

Chris Firger, “Cleanup in Cambridge,” acrylic on canvas, 23 x 29,” SOLD

Large numbers of Irish immigrants came to the United States during the 19^th century, particularly during the Irish Potato Famine, which began in 1845. Irish immigrants settled into northeastern cities such as New York City and Boston, where they worked domestic or industrial jobs. In 1998, the city of Boston unveiled its Boston Irish Famine Memorial, which is located near Downtown Crossing. Page Railsback’s “Brooklyn” and Chris Firger’s “Cleanup in Cambridge” depict two of these city neighborhoods where Irish immigrants once lived.

Richard Field, “Memories,” acrylic on panel, 19 x 13”

Did you know that Harvard University has ties to famous political leaders of Irish descent? President John F. Kennedy, a Harvard graduate, had family members who immigrated to the United States from Limerick and Dunganstown, Ireland. And Patrick Collins, a graduate of Harvard Law School, became the second Irish-born mayor of Boston when he was elected in 1901. On view in “In the Style Of” is Richard Field’s “Memories,” a painting that pays tribute to Kennedy’s and Collins’ alma mater, Harvard University.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these works of art, which are on view in the Upper and Lower Galleries until April 12^th!