Out & About

Last Thursday night The American Ireland Fund held their 34th Annual New York Dinner Gala attracting over 1200 guests. I met quite a few at the cocktail reception before the dinnerincluding Ireland's greatest radio presenter Adrian Flannelly who was there in the company of another famous man, restauranteur  Jimmy Neary.

I would have liked to hear that conversation as I am sure I could have got some very good information on what is happening in the Irish-American community as these two men have been pillars of the Irish society in NYC for many a year now.

Holding up the bar was none other than Barry Lynch, and a welcome sight he was too as the first drink was on him. Just kidding! Joining us was Gary Hanley, Invest Northern Ireland's chairman together with Jack McCarthy, the man that brought Glasgow Celtic to the Meadowlands.

My good friends from Mutual of America Paul O'Hara and Alfie Tucker were in good spirits when I met them very briefly before we all sat down for dinner.

As I walked to my table I stopped to greet the Ambassador of Ireland, his excellence Michael Collins, and what a very gracious man he is too.

Low and behold, the Chairman of The American Ireland Fund Loretta Brennan Glucksman came over and joined us and a nice hug I got!

On Friday night we were at the CUNY Institute for Irish-American Studies' Fourth Annual Benefit, held in the Manhattan Room at Rosie O'Grady's Restaurant where a capacity audience  honored Marty Glennon for his leadership in the field of Labor Law and for the Brehon Law Society of Nassau County. He is also a partner with the Melville, New York firm Archer, Byington, Glennon & Levine which represents clients in New York and New Jersey.

Catherine McKenna was honored for her service to New York and Irish America. She has provided many years of leadership as Director of Irish Studies at Queens College, and is a founding advisory board member of the CUNY Institute for Irish-American Studies.

Niall O'Dowd was honored for his contribution to Irish American media, his efforts to advance immigration reform movement and for his involvement in the peace process.

After the event I went down to the Pig'N'Whistle with Nassau County's Real Estate Executive  Dermot Kelly to meet the owners Pat Burke and John Mahon, who is back in the city after traveling around Europe for the last couple of months (and, of course, showing his face at the races in Cheltenham and Leopardstown, where I am sure he had a good time).

While there I met Frank Dwyer, who was having a quite drink. He's the owner of the Playwright bars and restaurants and the new The French Quarters, managed by their very professional General Manager, Colin McCormack.

The Hotel and Apartments are on West 46th Street and they're highly recommended for any of your family and friends who may be coming in to town for a visit or to stay for awhile. For reservations call (212) 359-6652.

There was a full house at Gaelic Park in the Bronx last Sunday to see the Connacht Championship opener between New York and Mayo, which was well-won by the visitors. The game was attended by The Consul General of Ireland  Niall Burgess and his wife Marie and their family.

Tresa Crowe, the nurse of the day was all over the place keeping everyone healthy and happy. This woman deserves a medal for all the work she has done over the years at Gaelic Park. Rumor has it that she will be honored very soon by The Irish Examiner newspaper at a special event at the end of May. Watch this space for more details...

The Consulate General of Ireland in New York is organising a series of lectures as part of its contribution to Ireland's national commemoration of An Gorta (The Great Hunger).

These events will take place in the early evenings at the Consulate General of Ireland, (on the 17th floor  of 345 Park Avenue, between 51st & 52nd Streets) on Friday May 15, Monday May 18 and Wednesday May 20.  In order to ensure a seat, please RSVP to Marie Reilly at (212) 319-2554 or e-mail Marie.Reilly@dfa.ie

On Thursday, May 14 at 7pm in Glucksman Ireland House NYU (5th Avenue, near Washington Square), the Irish Business Organization (IBO), IrishNetwork-NYC (IN-NYC), the Irish-American Bar Association of New York (IABANY) and the Consulate General of Ireland in New York will host a special evening with Dr. Garret FitzGerald reflecting on "Ireland's Past Success - And Current Crisis." 

Dr. FitzGerald is a former Taoiseach (Prime Minster) of Ireland serving between 1981 and 1982 and 1982 to 1987. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to (212) 998-3950 (option 3) or email ireland.house@nyu.edu. 

Very few seats for this event are still available. When the event is fully reserved, names will be added to a waiting list in the order in which they are received.  Those unable to be seated at the lecture may view the event via closed circuit televisions on Glucksman Ireland House NYU's lower level.

Finally, at 6.30pm on Wednesday May 20, the Munster Rugby Supporters Club - USA Branch are holding a social gathering celebrating a successful year and wishing Leinster good luck in the Heineken Cup final at O'Brien's Irish Bar (on 46th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues).

Contact Séamus at MunsterRugbyUSA@mac.com or visit their website at MunsterRugbyUSA.com for more details...

See you all next week.