Background
Ireland and Irish culture began to pique the interests of Americans following the election of John F. Kennedy as President in 1960. You may recall the press coverage of Senator Daniel Frances Moynihan sporting his "Irish Walking Hat" and First Lady Jackie Kennedy's love and admiration for one of Ireland's beautiful and most coveted products, Waterford Crystal. You may even remember the Clancy Brothers on the Ed Sullivan Show and in Carnegie Hall wearing the traditional Aran handknit sweaters in the Sixties.

As exposure to Irish culture increased so did travel to Ireland due to the introduction of low cost air fares, and the improvement in the economic, educational, and financial status of the Irish. The Irish American community developed an insatiable appetite for Irish made crystals, chinas, fashions, jewelry, pottery, literature, and of course, Irish music. Hence the need for a specialty Irish gift shop, a concept conceived by the founders of the Irish Cottage. Their vision was to provide the ever expanding greater Boston Irish American community with a broad array of quality products from Ireland. In short, being Irish and all things Irish has become quite chic.

The first Irish Cottage opened in 1974 in the Dedham Mall in Dedham, MA. The opening was an immediate and resounding success.

The principals of the company are Michael Hume and James P. Mulligan, who is the General Manager. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary with James P. Mulligan at the helm, the Irish Cottage is strategically located in the finest malls in the greater Boston area and southern New Hampshire.