Out & About

Tropical storm Hanna was right on target last weekend as it hit a lot of events on the East coast with some having to cancel their outdoor activities. Worst hit was the big New York Irish Oyster Festival that was to happen last Saturday. The good news is that they have a new rain date - this Saturday, September 13th for the 5th Annual Riverside Park Music & Oyster Festival. The Venue is Hudson Beach Café, 105th St. in Riverside Park. Entrance is at 103rd & Riverside Drive.

This is the only Irish Festival in New York city with the best of entertainment topped with Joe Hurley and the Gents who will headline the festival. Also appearing are Ellen Foley & The Dirty Old Men, Enda Keegan - boy he light up a stage - The Bedsit Poets and Bill Popp & The Tapes. The fun and music begins at 3 p.m.

Kid activities include an egg and spoon race and a clown. So bring the family or come with your friends as you will not be disappointed.

Where else on a Saturday can you slurp some Oysters, drink a pint or get your face painted at the biggest Irish festival in New York and you get the meet the man himself, your host Paul Hurley from Dublin.

Enter Riverside Park at 103rd Street and Riverside Drive, walk north a short distance until the path divides, veer left to the Hudson Beach Cafe.

Street parking can usually be found along Riverside Drive but there are private parking garages located on 101st Street between Broadway and Amsterdam.

If you are traveling by Subway, take the #1 or #9 to the 103rd Street station, walk west and follow the directions mentioned above.

For more information call (212)873-1900 or (917)370-3448. Or go to riversideparkfund.org or pdohurleys.com.

George Kurth the guest relations manager at the Fitzpatrick's Manhattan Hotel on Lexington Avenue at 57th Street has informed us about their fantastic new lobby and brand new bar and restaurant for their patrons and guests to enjoy on a visit or to socialize with some friends.

We will most certainly be up to see it this week for a few cocktails as we have some friends in from Ireland and Australia. John Fitzpatrick must be excited with all that is happening as both his hotels are full to capacity every week.

Ireland had a big win on Saturday in the World Cup qualifiers with a 2-1 win over Georgia, and what about Kilkenny in the All-Ireland hurling final in Croke Park?

All I can say is poor Waterford, they had no chance against this mighty team that cannot be stopped it seems.

Rod Stewart recently paid a visit to the Parlour bar and restaurant on the upper westside of Manhattan to visit a good old friend in John Kelly, the proprietor. Now I know why... Scotland were playing in the World Cup.

On the entertainment side The Young Dubliners will be playing in the Canal Room, Broadway on the 24th of September also on tour is the great traditional band Solas. We will keep you informed on the dates.

Ronan Tynan is at the Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn on Saturday October 19th and on Wednesday September 17th

The Swell Season featuring Glen Hansen will be performing songs from the motion picture ONCE with very special guests Liam O'Maonlai of Hot House Flowers and Patty Griffin at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park which has an entrance on 5th Avenue and 89th Street.

See you all next week.