Out & About

Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers and friends, we hope you have a great holiday and not not to much turkey since the countdown is now on for Christmas and, believe it or not, New Year's Eve.

There only a few days left for you to go and see the double header of shows at The Irish Repertory Theatre, The Master Builder and Confessions of an Irish Publican on West 22nd Street (between 6th & 7th Ave.). To get your tickets call them onb (212) 727-2737.

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of the famous accordionist Joe Madden, RIP, the father of the great Joanie Madden of Cherish The Ladies, the internationally acclaimed Celtic music group.

The 'John McCormack Icon of an Age' concert is selling out quick. This is a show at the Carnegie Hall that should not be missed. Tickets are still available for Wednesday December 17th at 8pm. To get yours, call (212) 247-7800.

Do not miss the the Republic of Loose tour of New York. They're appearing as we speak with their last gig on Monday December 1st at the  Blender Theatre on East 23rd Street. For tickets to this gig, call (212) 614-6847.

Wednesday last was a blast at the URTO's 71st Annual Dinner Dance held at Tavern on the Green to honor members of the hospitality industry.

Paddy Reilly was honored as their Man of the Year and     John      Doolan picked up the coveted URTO Industry Man of the Year award.

Paul Hurley, the URTO's President gave the greetings and welcomed the very large crowd on the night.

Two bar workers - Denise Cassidy of McGee's Pub and Liam Whyte from Tracks Raw Bar & Grill was also honored by being inducted into the Royal Order of the Apron Society.

The Corresponding Secretary Maureen McLaughlin and the Journal Chairperson Kathleen Reilly-McCrink did a first class job to make it a night to remember and with the turnout you had basically everyone who is in the business from the distributers, restaurants and bar businesses in the New York area.

Paddy Reilly, the Man of the Year, and everyone's friend is involved with New York's leading Irish bars and restaurant including: The Molly Wee Pub, The Coliseum Restaurant and Bar, The Old Castle Pub & Restaurant, The Irish Pub Sports Bar, McGee's Pub, The Emerald Isle Pub, Vertigo Bar & Restaurant, O'Reilly's Pub in Oakdale, Long Island and the Blue At Topaz in Florida. Paddy you better stop there or else we'll will run out of names for new bars!

John Doolan, the Industry Man of the Year, is the Regional Vice President of sales for Heineken's Northeast Region with a proven track record in the beverage industry for delivering notable results. Good on you John for keeping the tradition going that was started by your dad, Connie Doolan, RIP.

There were so many guests from all the different establishments  at the event on the night that I can not mention them all so please forgive me if I miss you. They included Frank Dwyer, Pete Fitzpatrick, Rory Dolan, Bruce Caulfield, Patrick O'Brien, Terry Flynn, Eugene Brophy, Thomas McCarthy, Eamonn Maher, Pat Burke, Andy Breslin, John Breslin, Father Colm Campbell, James Clare, Paul Hunt, Connie O'Reilly, Mike Carty, Dennis Reynolds, Larry King, Sean Murphy, Ed Fitzmaurice, Fergus Begley, Deb Fox and all the brand sales people and bar staff. Boy, what a night.

The band on the night was the famous Cunningham Brothers band that played magnificently and kept the crowd dancing all night.

Tyrone GFC are having a dinner on Saturday December 13th at Maestro's Caterers on Bronxdale Avenue in the Bronx. They'll be hosting a Night of Champions with special guest apperances by Mickey Harte and Brian Dooher along with Minor Captain Ronan McNabb and Martin Rodgers and the Sam Maguire and Tom Markham Cups.

Look out for the Screaming Orphans when they play at the Tir Na Nog on 8th Avenue and 33rd Street.

Direct from Ireland and playing this Saturday in Ulysses on Pearl Street are the Republic of Loose; from what we hear they are very good.

Also don't miss Andy Cooney with special guests who'll be performing a Christmas concert at Carnegie Hall on Thursday December 4th. It should be a sell out as Andy has a great following and the concert follows on from his very successful  annual cruise ship tours every year.