Out & About

What a week it has been, starting last Thursday at the Manhattan Club where the Emerald Guild Society held their annual cocktail reception for its members and let me tell you, it was a packed house.

Mick Carthy outshone himself again with the buffet of delicious food that was top shelf. The President of the Emerald Guild Society, Garrett Doyle led off the evening expressing his gratitude to all the members and also to welcome the New York City Saint Patrick's Day Grand Marshal Michael Gibbons, who must be one of the most popular Grand Marshals to lead us all up Fifth Avenue.

Again, congratulations to John Dunleavy the Chairman of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee who was in attendance at the event.

I have mentioned it before in this column - this is one of the finest Irish organizations that I have ever had the pleasure to meet. They are so professional in their approach to all of their members.

On Friday I attended the Nassau County Irish-American in Government lunch as a guest of Eileen McCormack with 600 other Irish-American in Government members, some of whom I would like to mention: Nassau County Chief Executive Tom Suozzi, Consul General of Ireland Niall Burgess, John Dunleavy, Frank Ryan, Grant Lally, Dermot Kelly, Jack and MarieAnn Irwin, Mick Kelly and Kevin Kelly, just to name a few.

The entertainment was provided by none other that another Corkman (from Midleton) Victor Cuneen.

I can only say it was a long lunch and you can not beat a few wines with your lunch... I did say only a few though.

What else? Oh yes, The County Cork Association dinner on Saturday at Antun's in Queens Village was the place to be for its 125th Annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner Dance honoring guest of honor, Charles Murphy, Senior Vice President of Turner Construction, Cork Women of the Year, Barbara Cronin and Mary T. English who received the Frank T. Carroll, Distinguished Service Award.

Doing a great job on the night to make sure that everything went smoothly were Michael Gubbins, Deirdre O'Shea, Tim Murphy and the woman herself, Mary Waters, who made sure that everybody paid up!

There was another great night at Fitzpatrick's Grand Central Hotel who hosted Fitzpatrick's American Idol.

I can only tell you that a host of great talent represented the Irish Bars and Restaurants around the city.

Starting with Sheila Horun from Ceol's, Kelly McLean from The Playwright, Colim Reilly from The Molly Wee, Jack Connor from The Fitz, Griffin DuBois from O'Lunneys, Daniel from Keats, Ryan Keogh from McGees, Fiona Campbell from Swift's, Paula Higgins from Bayard's and Andrea Clair from The Parlour.

It was an excellent night and Simon made a rare appearance as a judge and the winner on the night was Paula Higgins who was up against some hot talent.

George Kurtz, the marketing manager for Fitzpatrick's was the MC on the night and what a job he did; maybe he could get a job on Broadway.

Noelle Clancy must have painted all of New York for Saint Patrick's Day with her artistry work on the windows in every borough.

Poor old St. Patrick is splashed on the walls and windows everywhere the eye can see, good on you Noelle.

Johnny Logan is coming to the Galway Hooker and everyone is talking about it and asking do we have to book or make reservations because its going to be jammed. Joe Hurley is having his 10th annual Rock and Roll St. Patrick's Day that promises to be an All -Star Irish Rock event on Saturday March 14th and Tuesday March 17th (Saint Patrick's Day) at the beautiful new New York City venue Le Poisson Rouge, with lots of special guests.

See you after the Big Day...