Out & About

I dropped in to the Houndstooth Bar and Restaurant on Eight Avenue (at 37th Streetm (212) 643-0014) and got to meet the two owners Nick and Kevin who were in a happy mood since the place was busy as always.

I got to chat with the barmaid Erin O'Brien, I wonder is she related the Des O'Brien of Langan's. I'll talk about that later... Anyhow she is a very talented lady let me tell you and very artistic too as she does props and is a wardrobe stylist so check out her website at stylingobrien.com or email her at erin@stylingobrien.com. She also pours very good pints, so maybe that is why Nicky and Kevin were so happy huh?

The Frances Pope Memorial Foundation is proud to be honoring Doctor Patrick (Paddy) Boland, MD for his dedication and his profound compassion for his fellow man at the Annual Friendship Ball which will be held on Friday, February 12 at The Pierre Hotel.

For more information go to francespopefoundation.org as this is a great foundation that is headed up by the famous Mary O'Dowd who is a very talented singer from Ireland and beautiful too!

Representative Peter King, yes, the one and only Congressman from the 3rd District of New York is going honored as the Irishman of the Year for 2010 by The New York City Police Department Emerald Society at their 57th Annual Dinner Dance to be held on Friday, February 26 at Leonard's of Great Neck (555 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, New York).

Tickets are $85.00 per person and a table of ten will be $850.00. For tickets call Dennis Gallagher on (718) 881-9013

A couple of other big nights are coming up: Hilary Beirne, yes, the correspondence secretary-director of the New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee will be the Guest of Honor at the Roscommon Society of New York's 81st Annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner Dance on Sunday March 7 at Riccardo's (24th Avenue in Astoria, Queens). For tickets call Michael Lyons on (201) 447-2425 before they're all gone. Hilary's done so much for the parade and is Chairman John Dunleavy's and Vice-Chairman Dr  John Lahey's right hand man.

The County Cork Association have a lot going too. They'll be holding a reception for the Grand Marshal on Sunday February 21 at Antun's at 3pm and they will host their Saint Patrick's Day Dinner Dance on March 6 at, yes you guessed it. Antun's. Boy, this place is very popular and very nice too!

The American Ireland Fund New York Young Leaders (does that include me huh? I guess it must as I am a young leader I think!) is having a St. Patrick's Celebration Party at Cipriani Wall Street on Thursday, March 11 from 7-10pm. Their 2010 Irish Spirit Award Honoree and special guest Jimmy Fallon will be there... who is he? Just kidding, I'm sure you all know him from TV. This is certainly and event that's not to be missed.

I said earlier in the column that I would come back to Des O'Brien. Well here's the news hot off the press: he and (should I mention them I wonder? Hmm, I will) Pat Burke and John Mahon are opening a new bar and restaurant called, wait for it: the Pig'N'Whistle on 36th Street (just off 7th Avenue) and it promises to be spectacular. I can't wait; maybe I will be invited to the Grand Opening, what you think?

Let me tell you these boys know what they are doing and some day I will catch up on them... I hope.

Irish Connections Magazine will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary at the end of February with a special edition going back with some great features from the last ten years that I can assure you will make you proud to be Irish. So keep watching this column for more updates and celebrations that are happening.

The Irish Consul General in New York Niall Burgess is presenting a reception to launch the photographic exhibition "Dublin Then and Now" at the Irish Consulate this Wednesday (February 3) at 5.30pm. The event is strictly by invitation only and I can understand that as the Consulate can only hold a few hundred and it would not be possible to cater for all who would like to attend.

When you read this I will already have been to the United Irish Counties Association of New York's Annual Dinner who honored Seamus Boyle, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as their Gael of the Year.

Well there was a big day this weekend: it being Dermot Kelly's 50th Birthday and there was a surprise party for him on Saturday night at the Pig'N'Whistle (on 47th Street) where a lot of his friends turned up and, from what I have heard, it was a great night.

I was invited but could not make it, so to Dermot, who does some unbelievable charity work especially for Project Children, Happy Birthday from all of us here at The Irish Examiner newspaper.

AOH Division 7 are hosting a Social Reunion at The Long Room (120 West 44th Street) this Thursday at 7pm and all are invited. The event will give members and friends a chance to catch up. For more information call Pat Crotty at (212) 997-3933.

See you all next week.