Massachusetts Lawmakers Gather for Annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast

Politicians poke fun at each other at the traditional pre-parade event in Boston.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 5:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Massachusetts politicians, including Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Governor Maura Healey, gathered for the annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast in Boston on Sunday morning. The event featured the lawmakers poking fun at each other, with State Sen. Nick Collins taking a jab at the absent Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

Why it matters

The St. Patrick's Day Breakfast is a long-standing tradition in Boston, where politicians come together to celebrate the city's Irish heritage and engage in some good-natured ribbing. The event is seen as an important part of the city's political and cultural landscape.

The details

At the breakfast, Rep. Ayanna Pressley celebrated her Irish constituents and offered advice on food preparation. Governor Maura Healey, who is in the middle of her re-election campaign, attended the event wearing a "Vote for Me, I'm Irish" t-shirt. State Sen. Nick Collins took a jab at Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who was notably absent from the breakfast, saying "We wish the mayor were here. Just a little bit too taxing," and adding that they had left a space saver for her up front, with four hours to claim it.

  • The annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast took place on Sunday morning, March 15, 2026.
  • The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade shortly followed the breakfast, kicking off at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The players

Ayanna Pressley

A Massachusetts Representative who celebrated her Irish constituents and offered advice on food preparation at the St. Patrick's Day Breakfast.

Maura Healey

The Governor of Massachusetts, who attended the breakfast in the middle of her re-election campaign, wearing a "Vote for Me, I'm Irish" t-shirt.

Nick Collins

A Massachusetts State Senator who took a jab at Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for her absence from the breakfast.

Michelle Wu

The Mayor of Boston, who was notably absent from the St. Patrick's Day Breakfast.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We wish the mayor were here. Just a little bit too taxing.”

— Nick Collins, State Senator (wcvb.com)

“But just in case we left a space saver for her up front, got four hours to claim it.”

— Nick Collins, State Senator (wcvb.com)

The takeaway

The annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast in Boston is an important political and cultural event, where Massachusetts lawmakers come together to celebrate the city's Irish heritage and engage in some good-natured ribbing. The event highlights the ongoing political dynamics and relationships within the state's political landscape.