Out & About

Frank Dwyer and his partners have done it again with the opening of their new bar and grill Bourbon Street at 346 West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. I had the pleasure of going to the Grand Opening where Frankie was his usual gracious self and was there to greet me and show me around and let me tell you for a team of Irish men they should be very proud. Frank Dwyer's partners are: Pete Fitzpatrick, Tony Doyle and Brian Connell and they have recruited a great team of staff. I must say everything was above par and by that I mean first class. From you first walk in it has got a buzz that just lifts you up, you would honestly think you were in New Orleans as they have great music and a fabulous restaurant mezzanine level.

I just missed Noelle Clancy the famed hairdresser from Kerry (sorry about last Sunday) who came in a few minutes after I was gone. It could have been a long night as the party was just beginning.

Ann Marie Irwin of the accounts office did a wonderful job at the door - all the donations went to the Hurricane Hanna relief fund in New Orleans.

Jake's Saloon on 23rd Street and 7th Avenue seems to be the in place as George Clooney the famous actor was seen coming out with a very nice female on his arm. I am sure Jimmy Cahill and Jimmy Glynn must be very happy. The boys have two other establishments with the same name one on 22nd and 9th Avenue and the other at 57th Street and 10th Avenue.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians New York State Board President Matt Nelligan and Immigration Chairman Dan Dennehy welcomed the announcement of a new U.S. - Ireland visa deal. "We join the Irish American community in congratulating Taoiseach Brian Cowan, Irish Ambassador Michael Collins and the US and Irish State Departments on this extremely significant step toward rectifying the inequities created by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. The possibility of a secure and legal opportunity for 20,000 Irish people to annually live, work and experience our culture in the US can definitely strengthen the invaluable bonds between our two nations."

This is great news for everybody and it's a great start for the next President of the United States of America to concentrate on and to make it better for the undocumented to apply for permanent residence here in this country - we are so very happy to hear the good news.

The Young Dubliners will be at the Canal Room this Thursday September 25th. The Canal Room is on 285 West Broadway, call (212) 941-8100.

Coming to Radio City Music Hall are Celtic Thunder on Tuesday October 7th & Wednesday 8th. This concert has been anxiously awaited and it could be booked out so you will have to check.

I have a little bit of good news. Joe Murphy who is a contributing editor to the Irish Examiner USA newspaper is making great progress after period of prolonged illness and hopefully will be out and about very soon - good on ya Joe.

Jeff Cleary was seen all over town this week... the big man John McCain must be around to keep Jeff on his toes - somebody has to... just kidding.

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen is in town for the UN General Assembly. He has done a fine job in the short time that he has been Taoiseach.

Also in town on his first trip as Foreign Minister is Michael Martin. I am going to meet with him this week and hopefully discuss the Irish Immigration issue and the new visa program that will be given to 20.000 Irish people. I hope it will help the undocumented that are living in the U.S.A.

Sorry you missed this column last week... we got a lot of calls on what had happened... the truth is I was a bit late with it.

See you all next week.