Oran McGonagle is the director of the East Coast Tavern Group, which comprises several bars and restaurants across the Boston area. He owns and operates a number of outlets, including the Dubliner, Emmets, Roxanne’s, Carrie Nation, Scholars and the Cottage Bar.
I got the impression as soon as I landed in Boston in 2008 that there were opportunities to do well here, personally and in business. This is a blue-collar, hard-working city. If you are willing to work, it will give you the opportunity to make it. I’m from Moville in Co Donegal and moved here on a graduate visa, but fell in love with Boston and never left!
It’s a relatively small city, almost identical in size to Dublin, and full of small neighbourhoods that make it a tapestry, from the North End, Boston’s Italian district, all cobbled streets, to the largest and most diverse neighbourhood, Dorchester, where I lived from the moment I landed. There are different global influences every few steps along Dot (Dorchester) Avenue, such as Banh Mi Ba Le (balebanhmiboston.com), where you can pick up a freshly baked Banh Mi sandwich for $5. Comfort Kitchen (comfortkitchenbos.com) is a relatively recent addition that serves dishes inspired by the African diaspora. It is a black-owned, female-owned and immigrant-owned business, rightly being celebrated in Boston and beyond.
Dorchester has little nods to home too — Irish bars, shops, people from the homeland. Boston has a strong Irish heritage, making it feel more of a home from home. The people are really what make this city special.
The John W Weeks Memorial bridge at Harvard University
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Getting there and getting around
Aer Lingus, JetBlue and Delta fly direct between Logan International and Dublin airport. In fact, Dublin is one of the busiest international routes from here, behind only London and Paris.
Take the T-boat (mbta.com) from the airport into downtown, which not only bypasses Boston’s notorious traffic problems but also offers one of the best views welcoming you to the city. Boston has a great transport network and you can get around easily by train, subway and taxi. You can also rent a Zipcar (zipcar.com, a daily car-rental app from locations citywide) to explore more of Boston and wider Massachusetts.
When to visit and where to stay
Fall (autumn) in New England is famous the world over for its beauty. The weather is cool and the visuals are spectacular. If you hire a car, take the Kancamagus Highway towards New Hampshire and enjoy 55km of amazing scenery. Stop off at White Mountain Cider Company (ciderconh.com) to try its famous apple-cider doughnuts.
South End is a great area to base yourself in. It’s a beautiful part of the city with amazing architecture and lots of things to do, from shopping and museums to bars and restaurants, all in close proximity. The Godfrey (godfreyhotelboston.com) at Downtown Crossing is central, affordable and stylish. For something more luxurious, check out XV Beacon (xvbeacon.com), a boutique hotel in the historic neighbourhood of Beacon Hill. No expense is spared to make your stay special.
The famous Acorn street is considered the most photographed street in Boston
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A budget for Boston
Boston is expensive — bring plenty of cash and we will help you spend it. But seriously, if you are smart and spend wisely you could manage a great day and night out for about $200 (€185). If money is not allowed to get in the way of a good time it is very easy to spend $500 on a night out, no problem.
One unforgettable restaurant
For me, a traditional American steakhouse experience is a must for every visitor. Boston has some great ones, but none holds a candle to Abe & Louie’s (abeandlouies.com). An enduring classic since the mid-Sixties, it is a bustling, old-school dining room with great hospitality and top steaks.
Other great flavours to try
Boston’s proximity to the sea allows for amazingly fresh seafood. Some of the city’s iconic bites include New England clam chowder and fresh lobster rolls. Stay out of the tourist traps and head to the Banks Fish House (thebanksboston.com).
Check out Table (tableboston.com), an Italian restaurant by Jen Royale in North End, which does a unique seven-course dinner served family style. After dinner don’t miss Mike’s Pastry (mikespastry.com) for one of its famous cannoli.
During the day, grab a slice from either Penguin Pizza (thepenguinpizza.com) in Mission Hill or Galleria Umberto (@galleriaumberto on Instagram) in North End — two of the best pizza places in America.
George Washington Statue in the Boston Public Garden
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A great place for a drink
For cocktails try the Wig Shop (wigshopboston.com). Or if you’re after a wine bar with food I really like Pammy’s (pammyscambridge.com) in Cambridge. Head to Castle Island brewery (castleislandbeer.com) for your fix of craft beers.
For a traditional Irish pub I have to recommend the Dubliner (thedublinerboston.com) and Emmets (emmetsirishpubandrestaurant.com), both my own pub/restaurants. I would also check out another traditional Irish bar, Mr Dooley’s (mrdooleys.com), which has great Guinness, music and staff.
Some things to see and do
Boston is a great walking city. Get Martin from Trailblazer Tours Boston (trailblazertoursboston.com) to take you around the city and point out all the most important sights. I would also suggest checking out the Museum of Science (mos.org) and taking the tour at Fenway Park (the baseball stadium that is home to the Boston Red Sox, mlb.com). Skip the New England Aquarium — in my opinion it is expensive and underwhelming.
Boston summed up in one sentence
A city of champions and a home from home; coming here was the best decision I ever made.
