Hi,Indeed Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT, would be a decent place to start. Shanty-singing men and women roam the grounds and can likely point you to some local watering holes. The web site is www.mysticseaport.org
By the by, I'm delighted to hear Paddy Burke's in Boston is still around. Used to hang out there something over 10 years ago. Brehan Law used to play on the weekends. It was a fine place to hear a brilliant Christy Moore or Silly Wizard cover.
Rich