Out & About

The Ireland-U.S. Council has just announced the new President-Elect of the Council Dennis D. Swanson to succeed Michael J. Gibbons. All of us here at the Irish Examiner newspaper would like to wish Michael all the best for the future and to thank him for all the support that he has given. That will not be forgotten, thank you again.

Dennis on the other hand will have big shoes to step into and I am sure he will do so easily. We wish him well and all the best.

I can say we will be there for you and offer whatever help he needs.

As an aside, here's just a short biography both of these very good men. Dennis D. Swanson, President of Fox Television Stations Group has been nominated as President of the Ireland-U.S. Council to succeed Michael J. Gibbons, formerly an Executive Vice-President at the Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. who will step down having served in the role since 2002.

Mr. Swanson, who is based in New York City, is a former Broadcaster of the Year in America and has had an extensive and successful management career having worked at all of the commercial television networks in the United States.

He discovered Oprah and launched her talk-show career.

As head of ABC Sports, he successfully lobbied the International Olympic Committee to stagger the Winter and Summer Games.

Mr. Gibbons recently retired as an Executive Vice President at the Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products, where he has served for the past 40 years.

A native New Yorker, Mr. Gibbons is a former Chairman of the International Center in New York, a private, not-for-profit organization that welcomes and assists immigrants and refugees new to America.

He is a past Director of the American-Ireland Fund, the Eugene O'Neill Theater Foundation and the former co-chairman of the Knights of St. Patrick.

Kruise for Kids will be sailing next Wednesday night (June 11th). Don't be left on shore since this is the cruise of cruises around Manhattan and is also benefiting a very worthy cause  in aid of Project Children. Every year it is a fun filled trip Irish bars and restaurants are plentiful here in New York city and the Metropolitan areas with something for everybody's taste and pleasure. If you would like us to visit or to mention your establishment please do not hesitate to contact us as this is what this column is all about.

We are going name some of the establishments this week and every week after starting with the Social bar and grill on Wasylenko Lane, Yonkers that has live music and is well worth a visit. Saints & Sinners on Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside serves some very fine food and has a very friendly staff that makes you feel right at home.

The Mean Fiddler on West 47th Street in Manhattan has live music every Friday and is a great place to hang out. They also serve drink specials every Sunday and Monday nights. The Red Lion on Bleecker in The Village have live music seven nights a week and also show all sporting events. You're well advised to visit.

We've just heard from our sales team that Bar 43 in Sunnyside, Queens is a first class bar and lounge that you should pay a visit to. They also show all major sports and they recently had their grand opening with a full kitchen coming soon.

The big fight this Satuday is Pavlik vs. Lockett. It's being shown in all major Irish bars and restaurants around the city and suburbs as the winner could be John Duddy's next main attraction and he is ready and waiting.

More next week...