Out & About

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Now on to the out and about: last Thursday night at Cipriani Wall Street was the place to be as The American Ireland Fund held its annual New York Young Leaders Saint Patrick's Day Celebration that honored CNBC Reporter Margaret Brennan and Shaun O'Hara of the New York Giants. What a night it was, just excellent! We had the privilege of meeting the Chairman of the The American Ireland Fund Loretta Brennan Glucksman in her usual elegant way, along with the President and CEO Kieran McLoughlin and New York Regional Director Maureen Gillespie.

As you can see all the Big guns were out for the event and there were no holds barred.

We met up with Ronan Downes of Becketts, Sammy O'Connor from Stone Street and Dave Massey who was telling me all about the new store on Stone Street that is to open on Saint Patrick's week called The Dubliner. I will definitely call in to see the boys as they are excited with their new venture.

Friday was the Salute to Irish Americans at the Nassau County Government Buildings which had another great turn out to honor some first class Irish and Irish Americans.

To kick off the evening was none other than Francis Ryan the Deputy County Executive who welcomed everyone to the event. Judge John O'Connor sang the National Anthems and the Invocation was presented by Monsignor James Kissane the Chaplin at Long Island Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

Nassau County's Chief Executive Thomas Suozzi made the presentations to the following recipients: William Flynn - Chairman Emeritus, Mutual of America, May O'Boyle Deegan - President of the Irish American Society, Daniel McKenna - Chairman of the GAA Minor Board of Greater New York - and Dominic Kiernan - Former Lord Mayor of Wexford.

The event was preceeded by step dancers from the The Donny Golden Champion Irish Step Dancers and a traditional set dance team from the Irish American Center of Mineola and this was all followed by the lighting of the Dome in Green that is on top of the Nassau County Government Buildings in Mineola. Then we had enjoyed the refreshments; you can imagine, tea and biscuits hmmm...

Tom McCarthy of Nevada Smiths had a surprise 40th birthday party on Sunday at Lunasa on 1st Avenue and his father Joe (who is my brother), who is over for the St. Patrick's Day festivities, was there, along with Tom's two brothers - Ian, in from Ireland and Paul who came up from Florida for the party.

Tom had not expected this as his wife Vivienne keep it very quiet and a lot of his friends turned up to wish him a very Happy Birthday. Good on you Tom...

Everybody is talking about the Big Night that is coming to the Galway Hooker on Monday March 30th when Johnny Logan will be appearing live on stage.

You have to hurry as tickets are now on request only. You can order them by mailing johnnylogantickets@gmail.com

Johnny Logan, who represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest a couple of years ago has became an instant hit with fans all over Europe and this is his only New York appearance. I will be there will you?

On Sunday at the Manhattan Club (on Seventh Avenue) the Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee had a reception for for this year's Grand Marshal, Michael J. Gibbons. The afternoon started at 3pm with Hilary Beirne the Parade Executive and Corresponding Secretary getting the party started and what a party it was. Everyone and their mother was at it!

By the time you read this column I am quite sure there will be quite a few sore heads after one of the greatest days in America - the day everyone is Irish.

I should have a lot to tell you next week, but I promise I will not let the cat out of the bag, or maybe I might lets see...

Oh I almost forgot that my team, Manchester United, lost to Liverpool 4-1. Can you believe it? Sorry lads.

See you next week.