Out & About

We mainly went to two bars in Tampa. One, O'Brien's Bar and Grill, was full to capacity with Steelers fans and we met up with the owner Bernie O'Brien and saw quite a few from New York.

To name just a few, the visitors included: Barry McCormack of McCormack's on Third Avenue (between 26th and 27th Streets), Andy Breslin who is involved with a few establishments including Side Tracks, on Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven House, Rego Park and the Red Lion in the Village, Danny McDonnell of Ulysses (on Pearl Street), Puck Fair (on Fourth Avenue) and Swift (on 4th Street, off Fourth Avenue), Pat Burke of the Pig'N'Whistle  (on West 47th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues) and O'Brien's Irish Pub (on West 46th Street off Broadway).

Now the question of the hour is where was Des O'Brien? Everyone was asking where was Des; well, someone had to look after things in New York.

I can tell you it was like walking down any Avenue in Manhattan because there were a lot of people we missed on our rounds as somebody had to do it.

Along for the trip also was none other than Eamonn Maher of PJ Moran's (48th Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues) and Eamonn's (on 45th Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues).

We also met up with Kieran Melly, the bartender extraordinaire from Connolly's on 54th Street (between Sixth and  Fifth Avenues) and then the party began.

Going with us were Jerry O'Donavan and Andrew DeCourcy - proud partners in Ryan's Irish Pub (Second Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets) and, next door, The Thirsty Scholar and The Bull McCabe (on St. Mark's Place between Second and Third Avenues) so you can imagine how it went for the whole weekend... lots of hard work!

We also payed a visit to The Irish Rover Pub in Sarasota to see some old friends: Bobby Vicie and Paul Duffy (of Duffy Circus fame).

What a welcome they gave us, and again the place was packed to the the rafters with Paul doing the entertainment.

Check it out when you're going down to Florida; it's got some great food.

There were lots of big Super Bowl  pool winners we heard. We hope to have a drink with one or two of them.

Before I forget, the half-time entertainment was over the moon with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band giving us a teaser of his music, fitted into a twelve-minute set.

Now we're back to reality after all that fuss in Florida and back to the snow in New York.

A lot of pre-Saint Patrick's Day Celebrations events been planned, such as the Grand Marshal and Aides Reception at Antun's of Queens Village on Sunday February 22 at 3pm. For tickets,  call (718) 231-4400.

Coming your way soon is the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra whose U.S. Tour is sponsored by The Ireland-U.S. Council.

They will be performing in the New York, New Jersey and Boston area on dates ranging from Thursday February 12 to Saturday February 21. For further information on all their North American dates call David O'Sullivan on (212) 867-6268.

I would like to be out and about a bit more this week but, as you can see, I was in Florida.

Before I finish I would like to send my condolences to the O'Sullivan family on the recent death of Timmy who was well known in the Construction industry all over New York and was a member of the Cork Association.

Ireland's number one Ballad and Folk Group (with a hefty eight Gold Albums) 'The Dublin City Ramblers' will return to our favorite spot in New York City, The Playwright Irish Pub (on West 35th Street) on Friday March 6. For more information, please contact (212) 268-8868 or visit playwrightirishpubnyc.com.

See you all next week!