Out & About

Now we've the Fall right ahead of us and there is lots of activity in the Big Apple and Boston and we will keep you up to speed with all the gossip on who is doing what and who is not.

One of the biggest events coming your way is happening in our sister city Boston where they are having one of the most prestigious Irish festivals - none other than the Irish Connections or for short the ICONS Festival.

There are lots of top attractions on the bill that takes place at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton Mass. (about 30 minutes south of Boston) on September 12-14.

It will feature such acts like Liam Clancy, Solas, Lunasa, Luka Bloom and a lot more. So put it on your calendar as this should not be missed.

A great Irish band, Tipperary Knights, are playing at the Greater Danbury Irish Festival this Saturday, September 6th, along with the maestro himself Dermot Henry, in the Ives Center, Danbury. On Sunday at the same venue you will have Andy Cooney and his band. For more information about the festival call (203) 748-7844.

The Origin Theatre Company are producing 1st Irish 2008 a three week festival of Irish theatre all across New York starting this Saturday, September 6th to September 28th.

For more information go to www.1stirish.org. George Heslin, Origin's artistic director, has promised that this is a theatrical experience that cannot be missed so tell all your friends.

There was a lot of disappointed Cork fans after last Sunday's football loss to the Kingdom of Kerry. Well what can you say only congratulations to another great Kerry team as they meet Tyrone in the All Ireland Final.

It's all happening this weekend.

On Saturday, September 6th from 2pm - 9pm the 5th Annual Riverside Park Music & Oyster Festival will be held at P. D. O'Hurley's Hudson Beach Cafe on 105th street at Riverside Park - enter at 103rd street and Riverside Drive.

This should not be missed as it is a day for all the family with children's games and activities along with the best of entertainment. Musical guests include Joe Hurley & The Gents.

Joe is the best rock vocalist and rivals Shane McGowan - boy can he sing.

Also on the program is the great Enda Keegan who is always a crowd pleaser and can really light up the stage when he performs.

The other acts on the bill are: Ellen Foley & The Dirty Old Men; The Bedsit Poets and Bill Popp & The Tapes.

Now I was at the festival last year and I can tell you that it was a who's who of Irish New York with everyone eating plenty of oysters washed down with nice cold pints. What more could you ask for on a Saturday afternoon?

This is the biggest Irish festival in New York city and I know Paul Hurley, the proprietor all the way from Dublin, will make sure that it will be the most enjoyable for everyone and believe me it will be.

See you all next week.