Out & About

What a week it was! Every bar and restaurant on the east coast was packed from wall to wall with supporters of both Manchester United and Chelsea to see the Champions League Final that was screened live by ESPN2 from Moscow, Russia. By now everybody knows who won! Of course it was Manchester United and what a game it was going all the way to a penalty shoot-out.

I was in Nevada Smith's - it had support from both teams. We then went down to the Central bar on 9th street to celebrate the final with Leslie who is also a big Man Utd. supporter... Joining us there was none other than the great John Holmes, that man is everywhere, he is the top D.J. in town and he also likes his pint when he is not working.

The following day it was celebration time again with Glasgow Celtic winning the Scottish Premier League... They pulled off the nigh impossible as they were six points down with 2 games more played than Rangers going in to the season ending stretch, now that's what you call a team... Across in Jack Demsey's bar and restaurant the Celtic supporters in green partied late into Friday, and who would blame after such a comeback.

John Cleese the world famous actor walked in to Nevada Smith's with his two daughters on Saturday morning to watch the Hull City Vs Bristol City match that was shown live. This man has made over 130 films; Shrek, Around the World in 80 Days, Monty Python, The Life of Brian, Charlie's Angels and lots more, but he is most famous for the television series Fawlty Towers playing the hotel owner Basil who had us all belly laughing for years after.

A big day and night was had on Memorial weekend with Jeff St. Leger's birthday party held at Lunasa on 1st Avenue, I'm sorry I missed it. All were invited so you can imagine how late it went on with all the usual suspects there to celebrate his birthday.

Seen having lunch and enjoying the sun (and sun dresses!) at Bryant Park on 42nd street were none other than a few restaurant owners from midtown including; Des O'Brien of Langan's, Pat Burke of The Pig 'n Whistle and Eamonn Maher of Eamonn's Bar & Grill. We'd like to know what that was about, must be planning something, we would all like to know!

The New York Rose of Tralee Organization held their annual Rose Ball at the Broad Street Ballroom on Friday last, May 23rd, and the winner was the beautiful Ellen Margaret Condon who is 24 years old and was raised in Pearl River, New York but currently resides in Woodside, Queens. She is an aspiring actress who has been working and auditioning for regional theaters and a very good singer.

The night got started by the master of ceremonies - the one and only Tommy Smyth who just flown back from commentating on the Champions League final in Moscow. As you all know, Tommy was this year's New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal. A man of many talents he did a great job as Emcee for the night and his interviews with both the New York Rose contestants and the New York Rosebuds who were the escorts for the night could not have been any better.

I will take time to mention the Rosebuds as the Rose's will be on another page. They were; Maura McHugh, Mary Kate Petsky, Fiona Connolly, Shannon Breen. Cara Dennehy and her sister Ashling were along with their proud parents Dan and Siobhan Dennehy. All I can tell you it was a top class night sponsored by Tourism Ireland. The judicators on the night were: Ciara Nolan, Senior Vice President & Co-Producer Out of Ireland Television; Ann-Marie Walsh Sr. VP of the US Government Sector at Enterprise Ireland and John Waters, Assistant Professor of Irish Literature at New York University.

We also spotted Treasa Goodwin Smyth of the Ireland Calls Radio Show. Entertainment on the night was provided by the Guest of Honor, Liam O'Connor and his show. Liam has the fastest fingers in the World - it's official! - and was absolutely brilliant. Liam is from Newmarket, County Cork. You have to see this musician play as he is in the next edition of the Guinness Book of Records - Watch out for this group when they come back to New York with the full show as I have never seen anything like it. Michael Flatley sought out Liam to join Lord of the Dance and he has also performed with Chris Rea. Liam and his band and the Irish dancers really gave an exhilarating performance - it has to be either Radio City or Carnegie Hall when they get back! What a great weekend we had. The weather could not have been any better... Add to that Fleet Week with all the big ships and a lot of sailors in town and quite a lot of the Irish establishments in the city were kept busy. We met a few of the sailors who were Irish born. We should be very proud of them. That is it for this week hope you enjoy the read.... see you all next week....