Out & About

We will not let you down I promise! This new year is going to be more challenging and we are ready to prove to you that this is the best newspaper for the Irish and the Irish American community and a resource for you to be proud of for the future.

Now down to the business of getting out and about: I have been all over the City during the Christmas holidays and I do not know whether I am coming or going having visited more establishments that I can count; well somebody has to do it right!

I was over in the Pig'n'Whistle on 3rd Avenue (between 50th and 51st Streets) to see Ken McCoy but I just missed him as he had left the building with his partner John Mahon. Now was that planned or what? Just kidding.

I got to meet a great bartender who was doing a fantastic job in the place and guess what his name was: Paddy McCarthy. As you might know he is the publisher of this newspaper... only one problem, the bartender was from the Kingdom, yes that right Kerry. I wonder, are they cousins as Paddy is from Cork?

We also headed over to the Pig'n'Whistle on 47th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues, just off Times Square) and who was there to greet us, the man himself Pat Burke with TV cameras all over the place doing a commercial for Budweiser in Times Square for the New Year's Eve Ball Drop.

The question of the hour is did we  stay? I will only say did we what! The Bud was flying, the place was packed and the patrons were all in a happy mood.

I have to thank the Budweiser people; they know how to take care of their customers and really are very professional in promoting their product. Nobody can touch them and that is why they are the Kings of Beer.

I met up with the Coffee Man Pete Scalley and then went to Broadway Langan's Pub and Restaurant right across the street from the Pig'n'Whistle to catch up with Des O'Brien and, low and behold, we just missed him again! What was he doing, I don't know as I was hoping for my Christmas drink.

As you might know, they are opening a new establishment that is coming soon near Madison Square Garden so I am sure Des is pretty busy going back and forth making sure things are going well with the construction; well, somebody has to do it.

On our travels we stopped into O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant on 46th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues) and there was not a seat to be had in the place. I was wondering, are they giving the stuff away?

The manager Cormack McCormick was there to greet us in his usual friendly way and he gave us the good news that he is going to be a father in a few weeks, so congratulations to you Cormack! This is great news.

Stopped by PJ Moran's (on 48th Street between Madison and 5th Avenues) to say hello to the bartender Tim O'Connell who was just going off duty and we had a few cocktails talking about the good times and we also got to meet the manager Vincent Mulligan who was flying around the place as it was packed to capacity. It still one of the best spots in New York City.

Called into O'Casey's Tavern on 41st Street (between Madison and 5th Avenues) to see if Paul Hurley was about and was informed he was back in Dublin for the New Year. I was also hoping to meet with Karl O'Connor his partner but he must have been out celebrating the Christmas holidays as he was nowhere to be found.

Tracks Raw Bar and Grill in Penn Station had their Christmas party at Stout (on West 33rd Street) on New Year's Day and, of course, I was a welcome guest thanks to Bruce Caulfield and I got to meet his wife and kids along with all the staff and their families.

Michael O'Brien and Pat O'Brien, Bruce's partners  were having a good time as they had had a hectic night the night before on New Year's Eve and, as expected, Tracks was again packed to capacity.

I was in Nevada Smiths on New Year's Eve to celebrate the start of 2010 and it was a late one, with everyone having a good time and watching the Ball drop from Times Square live on the big screen and Champagne flowing all round: it was like I was  in heaven.

The Galway Hooker on 36th Street was booked out for New Year's Eve and so was Fiddlesticks and the Downtown Galway Hooker on 7th Avenue (at Charles Street) was the place to be and be seen. Again, the atmosphere was exciting with Champagne Toasts and lots of Party Favors all round.

I am sure your asking yourself how does he do it? Well I can only tell you practice, practice, practice.

Again I'd like to wish all our readers a great New Year and don't forget that our sister publication the Irish Connections  magazine will be celebrating its Tenth Anniversary in February.

Would you believe that, ten years! Where did they go?

One last note please spread the word about our two publications and tell your friends to check us out whereever they are in the World by going to our web sites irishexaminerusa.com and irishconnectionsmag.com 

Thank you and see you all in the New Year .