Family, friends celebrate Aisling Gallery owner on her 84th birthday, praising her kindness and generosity

November 13, 2023 By Carol Britton Meyer

On the occasion of Aisling Gallery owner Maureen Connolly’s 84th birthday on Nov. 13, her husband, John, wishes her “another 84 years of happiness and that I’m with her all that time.”

Maureen, who has been running the art gallery and framing shop since 1989,  continues to work there full-time “because she loves greeting people, giving back to the community, keeping the Irish culture alive, and beautifying homes in the area,” her daughter Siobhan Foy told the Hingham Anchor.

Maureen — who has a twin sister, Teresa Brady, who also lives in Hingham — grew up in Ireland and arrived in the United States when she was 21. She and John, who grew up in Dorchester, met at an Irish dance and have shared a wonderful life together ever since.

Because they were both passionate about keeping the Irish culture alive and available to everybody through art and music, it seemed only natural that eventually the couple would open a gallery that exhibits and sells the work of Irish and other artists.

“The gallery itself was my dad’s dream. ‘Aisling’ means dream or vision in Irish,” Siobhan shared. In the late 1980s, after John had retired from a career with the MBTA and Maureen left her job in real estate during the economic downturn, “they went out on a limb and opened the art gallery.”

The Connollys’ other daughter, Deirdre, recalls that years ago –during one of many family trips to Castlegregory, where her mother grew up — Maureen connected with a woman who ran a small gallery  representing local artists “and got the spark of bringing Irish art to the Boston area.”

What makes the gallery special, Siobhan and Deirdre agree, is their mother’s friendly and welcoming way, her creativity, and her love for everything Irish.

‘Bringing people joy’
“My mother always says that her job is bringing people joy, and that when customers bring home framed paintings, they get to look at them often — which brings them joy over and over again,” Deirdre said.

Their parents also enjoy bringing people together and supporting various community groups and the schools.

Deirdre recalls the time around St. Patrick’s Day when the gallery hosted a group of Foster School students. “My mother displayed their versions of a painting she had shared with them earlier for a couple of days, which made them feel special.”

When the gallery opened in 1989, and for a number of years thereafter, various classes were offered at night — Irish history, music, art, and more. “It was like a local cultural center, with classes offered by people with connections to Ireland,” Deirdre recalled.

Long-lasting friendships have also developed among people who took classes together over the years and with Maureen.

“We were lucky we had a mom who worked really hard, putting herself through the Harvard Extension program while we were in school and working full-time,” Siobhan said. “She was a great female role model for us, which set us both up for success.”

Deirdre recalled her mother never accepting obstacles that appeared to be in her way and teaching her daughters the same. “She made sure we traveled and encouraged us to reach for the sky.”

Welcoming atmosphere
The Gallery, located at 229 Lincoln St., offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere in which to enjoy art, have your favorite original artwork or print framed, and to shop for gifts — from Irish-themed books and bookmarks to sweaters, scarves, jewelry, and pottery.

“My mother loves making people happy and being busy with projects. The gallery is such a big part of her life, giving her such joy and a sense of purpose. She really found her calling ahead of her time,” Deirdre said.

“My parents started the business when they were both in their 50s, and my father learned to do framing and became an excellent framer. Their love of art came together and built their business. They are examples of how it does get better in your later years, and that there are no limits to what you can do with your life,” she shared.

Siobhan noted affectionately that her mother is “84 and going strong. She’ll never retire!”

Well-known painter gets his start at Aisling
Local resident Vincent Crotty, whose work is displayed and sold in the gallery, recalls the day in 1990 when he arrived there by bus from Quincy on a snowy day after having recently moved to America from Ireland — with 8 or 9 of his paintings in a black trash bag to protect them from the weather.

Crotty was encouraged by a friend to stop by the gallery. “I walked in the door and was greeted by Maureen and John. They were very supportive after seeing my paintings and handed me $100 to buy some paints and brushes,” he remembers. “They had faith in me, and I would never have kept on painting without their support and their exposing my work to others.”

Aisling artist Christy Peterson said Maureen has made her dream of sharing her Hingham landscape paintings come true. “For decades she has created partnerships with dozens of fellow artists, helping them to flourish.  Paintings give soul to a space, and thanks to Maureen, Aisling Gallery is filled with treasures that are passed down from generation to generation.”

‘Maureen has the spirit and energy of a teenager’
Longtime customer Gerry Lynch finds it difficult to believe that Maureen is about to celebrate her 84th birthday. “She has the spirit, energy, and memory of a teenager,” she said. “A visit to Aisling Gallery never fails to be fun. In the process of selecting frames and mattes or a new piece of artwork from the extensive offerings, Maureen catches up on the latest with my kids and grandkids and remembers everything about them. I’d like to think I receive special treatment, but I know this is how it is for every customer. All the Lynches wish Maureen and her amazing twin sister, Teresa, the happiest of birthdays.”

Another loyal customer, Anya Reppucci, recalled that a few years back, she was looking for a local framer she could trust to frame the vintage Hermes scarves she collects.

“One day I popped into Aisling Gallery and had the pleasure of meeting Maureen.  Within 10 seconds of talking with her, it was clear that she is a thoughtful, special person who is invested in producing high-quality work by way of framing all kinds of art,” Reppucci shared. “Over the years, Maureen has framed many things for me, from Hermes scarves to designer shopping bags to prints. I trust her opinion implicitly and give her full creative license when it comes to selecting the right frame for each piece.  Maureen is a delight, and I always enjoy catching up with her when I stop by the gallery.  I always laugh when she says, “Oh hi, Anya! Another Hermes scarf?!”

‘It feels like you are visiting a home’
Kimber Edwards, who has worked at Aisling Gallery for 14 years, has high praises for both Maureen and John, who she said make the shop unique. “They set it up in a house and used real Irish furniture, so it feels like you are visiting a home as well as a place you’ve come to get framing done or to look for some Irish paintings, prints, or even some Irish clothing,” she said. “Maureen has that way with people that makes them feel comfortable — an easy joke, an earnest compliment, or a genuine interest in how you’re doing and what’s happened since last someone’s been in.”

Maureen holds a special place in Kimber’s heart as well. “She is a very independent woman — quick (not just in mind but she is also surprisingly speedy) — and has a heart of gold. She keeps the memories of her Irish soul alive and brings them to the gallery’s customers without their even knowing they were going to learn something new,” she said. “They might leave the store with new knowledge about their name, or someone in their family’s name,  or somewhere they visited, and I don’t even think Maureen knows how charming she can be!”

Her husband is her biggest fan. “I am a lucky person to have found someone like Maureen. She is so gifted and such a kind person, with so much energy,  and also a wonderful storyteller,”  he said. “She knows how to capture the gift of  being Irish and turn it into a very positive thing. Maureen has such a love for her background and her culture and is willing to share it with everybody, regardless of their heritage. She shares her gifts with everyone and makes everybody feel welcome.”