Out & About

This has been a very busy week with two former Taoiseachs of Ireland and the present Taoiseach all in New York at the same time.

First we had Bertie Ahern, who was the guest speaker at the Co-operation Ireland dinner, held at the Roosevelt Hotel on Madison Avenue and sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland, with a capacity audience. Lorraine Turner and Andy Pike were there representing  the Northern Ireland Office and the British Consul,  as was, of course, Gary Hanley Senior V.P. in Invest Northern Ireland North America.

The next night it was on to the Flax Trust  Eighteenth Annual Dinner that was held in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. This event also attracted a capacity crowd with Ireland well represented. You had former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and Gerry Adams from the North, followed by Michael Gibbons the president of The Ireland-US Council and the great Bill Flynn Chairman of Emeritus  Mutual of America and President of Flax Trust/America  joined by a host of other guests of great stature at the dinner. One person I would have to single out for mention is Diarmuid Hogan of Global Assets and Out of Ireland who I may mention always has some beautiful models around him. Good on yea Diarmuid keep it up.

We met with An Taoiseach Brian Cowen at the ribbon cutting of the new hotel foyer and its restaurant and bar at Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel last Thursday together with the owner John Fitzpatrick. The renovations look just fabulous; congratulations John you've done it again.

The Foreign Minister Michael Martin was seen  all over New York at a lot of different events and was also the guest speaker at the Enterprise Ireland Lunch on Thursday and then again on Friday night at the Consul General's reception in Ireland House.

He also visited The Irish Arts Theatre and Gaelic Park on Sunday. Boy, this man was busy and still had a lot of time to meet and greet anyone that came to see him, now that is what you call a very good Foreign Minster for all the people.

Celtic Thunder are on tour beginning in Binghamton, New York on Friday October 3rd, Mashantucket, Conneticut on Saturday the 4th, Boston on the 5th and at the Radio City Music Hall on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th.

For ticket information go to www.AEGLive.com and for group rates call (818) 222-4188

This tour is their '50 City American Tour' and, as we said, it begins October 3rd so do not miss it.

You can also go to CelticThunder.ie and win tickets to the show.

Oh those Mayo men, they seem to always come out on top! Jimmy Gibbons, a proud Mayo-man, will be honored at the Building Service Awards with one of its highest awards - Doorman of the Year. Congratulations Jimmy on your award from all the staff of The Irish Examiner newspaper. You well deserve it for all your good work.

Darrah Carr Dance will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary Season with a series of performances at New York City's Irish Arts Center from 23-26th. For more information check out their website at darrahcarrdance.com

We paid a visit to Tracks Raw Bar and Grill to see how the boys are doing and met with Michael O'Brien who was busy as usual, greeting the customers as they come in and making sure everyone has a drink. This man never stops and that is why it's a hot spot to visit and also a great meeting place before a concert at Madison Square Garden or before you jump on a train to Long Island or New Jersey.

See you next week