Annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast Gets Surprise Visit From 'DunQueens'

Photo: Governor Maura Healey

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston, say hello to the DunQueens.

Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, and former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift attended this year's St. Patrick's Day Breakfast at the Ironworkers Local 7 Union Hall in South Boston wearing DunKings tracksuits.

The outfits were the same ones worn in a Dunkin' Super Bowl commercial with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Tom Brady.

"To Ben, to Matt, to Tom, just reminding everybody that now, Massachusetts runs on DunQueens," Healey told the crowd.

Read More: Navy Destroyer USS Truxtun Docks In Boston During St. Patrick's Day Weekend

The annual breakfast is not only a celebration of the Irish holiday, it's also an opportunity for local, state, and federal leaders to roast each other.

"Seriously, how great is it to be a DunQueen," Healey said. "We get to run everything!"

"Yeah, like the MBTA, people love you for that," Driscoll responded.⁠

Leaders like Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn were among those in attendance.

"A few years ago at this event, I made a joke comparing protestors outside my house to snowflakes," Wu said. "You saw in the news that the protestors were so offended at being compared to snowflakes that they sued me after the breakfast. It's true. But what went unreported was the snowflakes got so offended at being compared to protestors that we haven't had a snowstorm in two years in Boston."

Sen. Nick Collins hosted and was confronted by a challenger to his seat: Rep. Ayanna Pressley.

"You got a pretty sweet gig up here, my friend, and I want it," Pressley said. "The top hat, the shamrocks, the Irish band gassing up you and laughing at your lame jokes."

Pressley then held up a banner that read "Send Ayanna back to Massachusetts" and put on a pair of boxing gloves.

"Nick, would you like to respond, I’m ready, let’s go," Pressley said.

"Yeah, you actually live in Senator (Liz) Miranda’s district, to start," Collins fired back.

Finally admitting it was all a gag, Pressley laughed, "Look at my family, my husband can’t keep a straight face, and the press is panicked about if I’m kidding or not."

It wasn't all funny business at Sunday's breakfast. A group of North End restaurant owners and workers protested outside over Mayor Wu's outdoor dining ban in their neighborhood.

21 restaurant owners and the North End Chamber of Commerce amended their federal lawsuit against the City earlier this month. They are seeking monetary damages for lost income and a refund of $7,500 in fees.

Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content