Out & About

What a week it has been! To start this week's column I would like to congratulate Mike Fitzpatrick on his marriage to his beautiful wife Mei. Mike is a well-known bartender at Eamonn's Bar and Grill in midtown Manhattan and also writes a weekly entertainment column for this newspaper.

Red Hurley was in town last week to do a string of interviews and promotions for his new DVD, starting with an interview on the Aidrian Flannelly's Irish Radio show and a TV special last Saturday on WLIW/New York. Red broke the record for his one-hour show which featured his DVD and CD "Songs and Stories" which had the biggest response in sales and donations.

There was also a capacity crowd  for his press reception at Chrissy Mac's Downstairs Lounge at Nevada Smiths, where guests from the business and entertainment industry mingled.

Topping the night off was Tommy Smyth, New York's 2008 St. Patrick's Day Grand Marshal and his lovely wife Treasa, along with the chairman of the parade John Dunleavy. WLIW/New York and Sony records were also well represented there.

Noel Hurley (no relation to Red Hurley) came along with his wife Carol who was over on business from Cork. Noel is the well-known groundskeeper at the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club on Kinsale Ireland and he had everybody in stitches with his great sense-of-humor.

Organizing the reception and inviting guests from all across the Irish community was the very talented Anita Daly who did a very professional job.

John Brown of the Grandstand Bar and Restaurant was spotted having a good chat with our own very famous columnist Joe Murphy.

The man that got the whole night started with a very nice folk song was Donnie Carroll (Ireland's Tom Cruise) who stopped in following his performance last month at the Irish Repertory Theatre.

Corkman of the Year Larry O'Sullivan of Conserve Electric could be seen talking with Red Hurley's brother Fran - wonder what that was all about while the Coffeeman of New York, Pete Scalley, also made an appearance.

Noelle Clancy could be seen moving around in circles with the rich and famous, perhaps drumming up business.

We got the bartender's name wrong  last week. Sorry boys... it is Aidan from Tipperary and the other bartender at the new Pig 'N' Whistle on Second is Damien from Derry. Both serve great pints and the bar is well worth checking out.

On our rounds we met up with a lot people from the beer industry at O'Briens Irish Pub on 47th street off Broadway. We met Ed Fitzmaurice, Tom Shannon, and Bob Olson - all from Budweiser. Then it was onto meet Des O'Brien at Langan's for a very nice steak dinner.

We also met up with a few media people from the New York Post, including Page Six Columnist Bill Hoffmann and reporter  Steve Dunleavy who were both enjoying a relaxing timeout.

Tracks' hosts Bruce Caufield, Michael O'Brien and all the gang from Tracks are still celebrating their 5th Anniversary... will it ever stop? Do drop in when you're over in Penn Station for a train  or going to a show at Madison Square Garden. Grab a pint or have  some of the best Oysters you can ever eat. I wonder what their secret is?

Talking about Adrian Flannelly... he was seen with none other than John Dearie, having lunch at the Pershing Square Restaurant on 42nd Street. We would have loved to be at that table - must have been a lot of planning going on.

One other person at the same restaurant was Michael O'Brien of O'Brien and Sons Waste Management Division having a cup of tea. We did not get to meet the owner Michael "Buzzy" O'Keeffe - he must have been busy at his other two beautiful restaurants, The Water Club on East 30th Street and the River Cafe Restaurant, which is just under the Brooklyn Bridge. Drop in and say hello. 

We were invited to the installation of the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal at the New York Athletic Club  on Monday night where we met the new Grand Marshal Tommy Smyth, Parade Committee Chairman John Dunleavy, Dr. John Lahey, Hilary Berni, Rosemary Lombard, Larry King and all the Directors and Trustees. See you next week