Out & About

There was a capacity audience present on Wednesday night at the New York Athletic  Club where Michael Gibbons  was officially made Grand Marshal of this year's New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade.

His Aides were also presented by John Dunleavy, the Chairman of the Parade Committee and Dr. John Lahey the Vice-Chairman and President of Quinnipiac University.

The new Corporate Seal was also unveiled on the night to a great response that impressed even Paul Hurley from the famous P. D. Hurley's chain of restaurants in New York City who was in the audience.

The County Cork B. P. &P. Association had a big bash last Sunday at their club on Greenpoint Avenue in Long Island City at 3pm for the Annual Officer's Installation and Scholarship Awards Dinner.

To start off the evening a mass was held by Father James Drew who welcomed me back into the flock as I walked in, much to the amazement of  Mae O'Driscoll (the boss)... I never said that did I? Just kidding.

The new President Mary Power of the Cork Association gave a great address that was well-received by all the members and guests under the watchful eye of Pat Hurley, the corresponding secretary.

Mary, I am sure you will be a great President, just like our new United States President Barack Obama, once you get trough all the teething problems and I'm sure you will!

The music on the night was provided the Victor Cunneen Band who came all the way from Midleton in County Cork.

Other notable guests at the dinner included Noele Clancy, Larry Sullivan, Joe Murphy, Martin Hurley, Tim Murphy, John Browne and Deirdre O'Hea, just to name a few.

Another big event's coming up - Brooklyn's Annual Parade Installation Dance, which will be held on Saturday February 7 at St. Patrick's Auditorium (on 4th Avenue and 97th Street) where the  Brooklyn Grand Marshal - John Riordan, former president of the New York GAA - will be announced. Good on you John.

I just received some bad news that a great friend of mine passed away on Tuesday: Don Weldon from Cork City, who was instrumental in bringing me back to Cork recently to support the Miami Showband in their Anniversary concert.

For all who might have known him, and those that didn't, he was a wonderful man whose life was all about music, both playingand promoting talent, who, in his younger days was voted Mister Ireland in body-building. May he rest in peace. We have had enough of the snow already; am I right?

Now let's hope that's it as we look forward to the end of winter and plan for the big day that's coming. Of course, I mean Saint Patrick's Day... I just love plugging it as there is a always a lot happening all around the city.

If you have a Super Bowl party going on please let us know and we will mention it for you.

I met with Michael Gubbins who is vice president of the Albanese Organization, a privately held, full-service real estate firm, and he sent in some great pictures of the US Airways Airbus been taking out of the Hudson river that he shot himself. You can check them out on our website (www.irishexaminerusa.com) from Thursday. Thank you Michael.

Do not forget to go to Connolly's Corner this Saturday (January 24) for the fundraising benefit for the McShane Family as this is a very worthy cause and there will be lots of special guests giving their support. For more information call (718)565-7383.

Another great place to be is The Irish Rover (on 28th Street Astoria in Queens) where a very important superstar always hangs out when he is in town - none other than Shane McGowen.

Emerald Isle Immigration Center's 16th Annual Robert Briscoe Awards will be held this Monday (January 26) at The "21" Club (on West 52nd Street) at 6pm. If you would like to purchase a ticket call (718) 478-5502.

I am going to finish by expressing my own congratulations to Barack Obama, the 44th President of The United States of America, and to wish him Cead Mille Failte. See you all next week.