About the Trail

The South Shore Irish Heritage Trail is a journey into the past through nine scenic towns in coastal Massachusetts. These communities attracted Irish immigrants in large numbers. Their descendants comprise upwards of 40% of the South Shore’s population. Small wonder the region bears the nickname, “The Irish Riviera.”

Inspired by the Wild Atlantic Trail in Ireland and the Boston Irish Heritage Trail, The Scituate/West Cork Committee envisioned the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail to celebrate the Irish and Irish American contributions to the South Shore of Boston. Encouraged by grant money from The Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme nine towns were invited to become part of the trail.

In traveling the Trail from Weymouth to Plymouth, you will see visual places where they lived, worked and built new lives in a country far distant from their homeland. There are monuments to the tragedies that marked their escape from famine and disease; evidence of the industries they built to sustain their lives and the seaside places where they found entertainment and relief from the heat of the city. To follow the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail is to walk in the footsteps of one of the many ethnic groups that helped build America.

The rest is history. Come celebrate with us and enjoy all “The Most Irish Area in America” has to offer. We invite you to come along!