Out & About

I was invited down for a few day and I was to leave on Wednesday afternoon since I had an early morning meeting with Billy Kelleher T.D., Minister for Trade and Commerce, at the Irish Consulate that was hosted by Enterprise Ireland. Otherwise I would have left on Tuesday. What can I say, again my luck... Now, on the other hand to have a one-on-one with the Minister was well worth it as we discussed what is happening in the future with Irish companies  here in the US and, let me tell you, that they employ over 80,000 people all across North America; now how about that?

He had a very tight schedule for the few days he was here with meetings with the IBO, Irish companies here in the US and The Irish Examiner newspaper... how about that? And Adrian Flannelly; who is he? Just kidding, he hosts the number one Irish radio station in America and was heading to Boston in the snow for another round of meetings. He's from Cork so that's no bother to him.

Christine Quinn, New York City Council Speaker, is to provide a State of The City message this Thursday (February 18) in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Why am I telling you this? I thought you might be interested.

Donnie Carroll, yes the same one that everybody is talking about (I should be his agent), well, he is launching his new CD 'Down The Slippery Gap' at the  Grandstand Bar on Thursday March 4 at 7pm. There's a complimentary buffet  and drinks will be served while you listen to top-class guest musicians.

He is also performing on Friday April 16 at 9pm at Glucksman Ireland House in NYU. He'll also be appearing in Washington Square with the Harp and Shamrock Orchestra, Heather Martin Bixler, 'Tubajoe' Exley, Joey Mullen, Gabriel Donohue, Marian Makins and many others.

Joe Hurley's 11th Annual All-Star Irish Rock Revue will be held this year, for one night only, at NYC's stunning Highline Ballroon, on Saturday March 13! 

The 114th Annual Banquet of the Donegal Association of New York, on Sunday March 7, will honor Bart McDade, RPA, CPM, retired Pipe Major of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Pipe Band, with it's tenth Willie Joe Cunningham Award. The Association's Achievement Award will also be announced at the event.

The Willie Joe Cunningham Award was created to honor the life and work and memory of "Mr. Donegal." The dinner-dance will be held at Antun's (96-43 Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village). The cocktail hour will start at 4pm, with dinner and dancing from 5 to 9pm. Music will be by Gerry Finlay and the Cara Band. Tickets are $80 each or $800 for a table of 10.  For reservations, contact Rosina Gallagher at (718) 224-3067 or Katie Barrett at (718) 326-1854. To advertise in the Banquet Journal, contact Bridget Kavanagh at (718) 428-5797, Michael McGovern at (718) 468-8304 or Sean McGovern at (718) 464-2358.

I should be getting paid for all this as I am told that this is a very popular column; that is what I was told, believe me!

I nearly forgot, I called into Tracks on Thursday night in Penn Station and who was at the door? Only, yes you guessed it right, Michael O'Brien - as friendly as ever... I wonder why!

It's great to see Eamonn Maher back running the ship at Eamonn's Bar and Grill and looking as healthy as ever and of course seeing that everything's ship-shape.

Adrian Flannelly's live radio show last Saturday had Minister Billy Kelleher from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Ireland who, as I mentioned earlier was visiting New York and Boston to raise the profile of Irish industry and enhance relationships with local contacts and customers.

He also had  Denis Kane, the Director of Druid's Glen Golf Resort in Co. Wicklow (the 'Garden County') which is considered the most beautiful inland golf course in Europe.

Anita Daly has been on to us so don't miss 'Irish Boys vs. Irish Girls: An Night of Music with Barleyjuice and Searson' at Connolly's Klub 45 (121 West 45th Street on the 3rd floor) on March 11 at 8:30pm. You can book tickets by calling (212) 597 -5126 or get them for $10 on the door. You can also mail   connollys45st@nyct.net for more details.

The Irish Business Organization of New York (IBO) is a premier business networking group dedicated to the furtherance of  Irish and Irish American entrepreneurs and professionals. The IBO is the proud sponsor of this fun evening of music.

To find out more about the organization and to join go to www.ibo-ny.com

There are lots and lots of concerts coming up in the next few weeks and one that is not to be missed is Celtic Woman who are at Radio City Music Hall on Friday and Saturday February 26 and 27. Tickets are still on sale by going to radiocity.com or call into the box office. I will be at the show on Friday night yipeeeeeee!

It was also great to see Pat Burke and Dermot Kelly back from the Super Bowl. I am sure they had a good time. Now Pat can concentrate on the new Pig'N'Whistle that will be opening very shortly on 36th Street, just off Seventh Avenue. Maybe we will get an invite for the Grand Opening as I have heard it is looking beautiful. It must be his partner's taste, yes Des O'Brien, he never stops. Good on yea

See you all next week!