Out & About

The very sad news this week was of the passing of Father Aengus Finucane, the man who fronted Concern from its beginning. I have met this man on numerous occasions and he always had that big smile on his face.

This priest has done so much for charity and for the great organization Concern and consistantly supported all the work they have done all over the World. He will be sadly missed and may he rest in peace.

The County Cork Association's 125th Anniversary Dinner is been held this Friday night at Terrace on the Park in Flushing with  deluxe cocktails at 7pm and, from what I have heard, it is going to be a night of nights.

The Guest of Honor is Jack Ahern and tickets are only $100.00 so if you do not have your ticket give Mary Waters a call at (718) 899-6776.

The president Mary Power is all excited and spending her time to makw sure that the night runs well and, of course, Mae O'Driscoll will be watching everything too just to keep it all in order; good on you Mae.

USA Rugby hosted a big night last Friday at O'Brien's Irish Pub & Restaurant (46th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues) and the two owners Des O'Brien and Pat Burke were on hand to make everyone comfortable.

Des is a big Rugby fan and has a great interest in the Munster team; I wonder why is that... because he's from Tipperary.

You have just got to pay a visit to the Pig'n'Whistle on 47th Street and see the new make-over. It is just beautiful and to greet you at the door is Pat Burke. Across the street you have Langan's Broadway Bar & Restaurant where Des O'Brien will be very happy greet you also and to seat you at a table.

We went to the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Seventh Annual New York Benefit Dinner last Wednesday and I will have to say that Orla O'Malley did another great job in organizing this event where you had Honorees  Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Brendan McDonagh CEO of HSBC North America Holdings Inc.

As I am talking about honorees I am sure you all know by now that Ray Kelly is the new New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal and what a night the committee of the parade put on at the Irish Consulate as the who's who was at the event: Jenny Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony, all the Kelly clan, the man who started the night off Hilary Beirne - who was doing the introductions - followed by the Consul General of Ireland Niall Burgess, the chairman of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee John Dunleavy, Doctor John Lahey the president of Quinnipiac University, Commissioner Oats, Brian Andersen, Garrett Doyle the president of the Emerald Guild Society and a lot more, only I would not have enough  room to put them all in.

Live Nation has announced that Paul Anka will appear at the Capital One Bank Theatre at Westbury on Saturday, October 24 at 8pm. Tickets begin at $61.50 and are available exclusively online at LiveNation.com, charge by phone at 1-877-598-8694, at the Westbury box office, and at participating Blockbuster® stores.

For membership information, visit www.westburymembership.com.

Paul Anka has conquered many challenges over the course of the last five decades, forging a career that's unlike any other in the history of pop. 

One of the biggest teen idols of the late 1950s, he moved to the adult sphere several years later and became a successful performer and songwriter. 

Anka has recorded 125 albums to date including over 10 albums in Japanese, German, Spanish, French, and Italian, composing songs culturally tailored to each country.

He has sold close to 15 million albums worldwide. Among his Billboard chart stats in the U.S. are three #1 songs, "Diana," "Lonely Boy," and "You're Having My Baby," as well as 22 Top 20 hits.

He is one of my favorite singers I have ever heard and I have been singing his songs myself for a long time... Oh you didn't know that I sing too, just kidding.

The Emerald Isle's 22nd Annual Dinner Dance is at The Astoria World Manor on Friday October 30th with cocktails at 7pm. For more information call (718) 478-5502 ext. 211.

The Irish Repertory Theatre has a first class show on that started last Wednesday and runs until November 29th. The name of the play is The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neill. The production is directed by the one and only Ciaran O'Reilly and should not be missed. For tickets call (212) 727-2737.

See you all next week.