Out & About

New York and Boston are the best cities in the world and well recognized for their historical sites and for their walking tours. The reason I am telling you this is that we have it all here without the need to travel by car. When in these two beautiful cities there is always lots to see when you are out walking and now that the weather is nice and sunny it is also very healthy for you.

I walk when I am out visiting some of the great Irish establishments around town. I enjoy restaurants that have a charm and easy friendliness, like when you walk into the likes of Rosie O'Grady's on 7th Avenue. There to greet you is none other that the man himself, Mike Carty. Rosie O'Grady's is known all over the world as the spot to visit for its food and service. When you enter it has that welcoming buzz that makes you feel right at home.

Walk down a few blocks toward Times Square and you have honestly got some of New York's top eateries, from The Playwright Tavern on 49th street (bet Broadway & 7th Ave) and right across Broadway you'll find the Joshua Tree that always has a first class atmosphere on all three floors.

On West 48th street between Broadway and 8th avenue you have Hurley's Saloon. Turn onto west 47th street and pop into Langan's of Broadway where the host Des O'Brien will be there to greet you with his Tipperary charm. Langan's is a famous hangout for celebrities and you just don't know who you are going to meet.

As I said it is all about walking (and of course stopping for a light libation as you travel about the city) and admiring the scenery... what more could you ask for.

Every avenue in New York has a Irish bar or restaurant to meet your liking and on almost every street you will find one to suit your taste. The best place to check out your nearest tavern is the brilliant Murph Guide at www.murphguide.com/irish This past Monday night The Irish Repertory Theatre celebrated its 20th Anniversary at The Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue at 61st Street.

All the stars came out to make it a night to remember. The Irish Rep was founded by Ciaran O'Reilly and Charlotte Moore and I can tell you from my own experience of meeting both of them that they are incredibly hard workers for the Irish arts scene here in New York and are well deserving of the praise lavished on them.

Among the Celebs at the Pierre were the McCourt brothers Frank & Malachy, who held court in every part of the room, Gabriel Byrne showed up with a song, I never knew he sang! James Clare with his wife Oona and son John P Clare were along with J.P. Delaney and his sister Ann Marie, the event manager in her father Austin Delaney's place - Harbor Lights Restaurant at the South Street Seaport one of my favorite restaurant as it has a breathtaking view of the Brooklyn Bridge and New York harbor.

David O'Sullivan Executive Director of The Ireland-U.S Council was seen chatting with many guests in the company of Council President-elect Dennis Swanson. Also in the room was the outgoing President Michael Gibbons and his lovely wife Cynthia - all I can tell is that that man really can light up a room with his big smile.

We met up with Brian Stack, Chief Executive of CIE Tours International and our good friend D.J. Carey along with Jeff Cleary. What a turn out, even Kieran McLoughlin of the American Ireland Fund was at his best. The Consul General of Ireland in New York, Niall Burgess and Ms. Marie Morgan Burgess and some of the staff from the consulate made it along as well.

Mary Duddy (boy can she sing!), Margaret Corrigan (the woman that really runs the show) and Brenda Carmichael who will be retiring soon - we will all miss you Brenda as you were always very helpful in the Consulate.

I will not get around to mention everyone as it would be impossible but it was an incredibly entertaining night and the perfect way to start the week my thanks again to Kieran and Charlotte.

See you next time...