Out & About

Now what a coincidence as wasn't that the same place that banned the song Danny Boy last year? I wonder what John and Shaun Foley were thinking.

To get back to the day, we had a few Danny Boy drinks and followed by a few Danny Boy Irish Coffees that were served up by a very nice lady bartender... oh them Foleys know how to do it.

It did not finish at Foley's though since on the next night at the Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel it all started again and, lo and behold, who do think was at the counter when I walked in but none other than the two Foleys and guess what? We had a song from the owner of Danny Boy Whiskey Peter Lavery who sang that great song Danny Boy.

I am not too sure if the Foley family were singing along... now that would be something, up Caven!

As the night progressed Peter Lavery who traveled over from Belfast to launch the whiskey was very happy with the reception he had received since he came and with the large crowd at the launch was John Fitzpatrick, the owner of Fitzpatrick Hotels as was Geraldine Hughes that great actress who will be on stage with her own show Belfast Blues very soon. I will keep you posted on the dates next week. Also having a taste was Paul Keating and so many more that if I mentioned them all, it would take up the whole page.

As I said a lot is happening: you have another great show with Joe Hurley's 11th Annual All-Star Irish Rock Revue "The Great Irish Songbook" with Joe Hurley & The Gents and a cast of thousands. The event will be held at the Highline Ballroom (431 W 16th Street, between 9th & 10th; (212) 414-5994. The doors open at 6pm, and the show runs from 6:30pm until 11pm. Tickets are $20 with VIP Reserved Seating at $30.

This is an all-ages event so I might just get in. Just kidding, Joe is a very good friend; he never stops and deserves a lot of support with this concert.

Guests that will be appearing with Joe are a gathering friends from New York City punk-rock legends to Broadway stars, from best-selling novelists to star comedians -- from Rock & Roll Hall-Of-Famers to downtown luminaries - from visiting Irish entertainers to up and coming local singers, the performers will all dive into Hurley's vision of "The Great Irish Songbook", backed by The Revue's sublime All-Star band. 

Don't forget The Friends of the Fighting 69th Evening of Irish Music with Pierce Turner, Gael Force, The Screaming Orphans, Seanchai & The Unity Squad and The Cunningham Brothers on Saturday March 13th from 3pm to 11pm at the 69th Regiment Armory Lexington Avenue at 26th Street. Tickets are priced at $24.95 and are available online at www.69thfriends.org. I will be there, will you? All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Fighting 69th Memorial Scholarship Fund.

I traveled out to the Grandstand on Grand Avenue with the Great Adrian Flannelly, Aine Sheridan and Anita Daly in Adrian's car. Things must be good since this was a swanking new car, huh?

The reason we headed out to the Grandstand after a reception at the Irish Consulate was for the official launching of Donnie Carroll's new CD and the place was packed. John Browne was there to greet us along with Noelle Clancy, Mae O'Driscoll, Mary Waters, Deirdre O'Hea, Michael Gubbins, Mary Hurley (that's Pat's wife), Joe and Judy Murphy, Eddie O'Brien - the great Cork Hurler, and lots of musicians along with the maestro himself, Gabriel Donohue, who all played along with Donnie and as you can imagine it was a great night. You'll be hearing alot from Donnie Carroll in the future.

There are lots of exciting things happening over the Saint Patrick's Day period with Adrian Flannelly's 40th Annual St. Patrick's Day Special Broadcast on Wednesday March 17th from 1pm to 5pm.

Clannad's Moya Brennan will be presenting the most comprehensive documentary on Irish Music: Music of Ireland Welcome Home for a national PBS broadcast. Check you local schedules for air times.

The Mayo Society of New York is honoring Eddie Gibbons, native of Cong and well known in Irish American cirlces as the former owner of the Potcheen Still and Queens Irish Import Stores for many years.

The 2010 New York Mary from Dungloe will be chosen at a gala charity dance on Saturday 24th April, from 9pm to 1am, at Most Precious Blood Auditorium (32-52 37th Street, Astoria, Queens). Young women from age 19 to 26 who would like to represent New York at the 43rd Mary from Dungloe International Festival in Donegal, 26 July to 2 August, may obtain an applications from mcculknit@hotmail.com or by calling (718) 361-1847.

The New York Mary will receive free round trip transportation to Donegal, one week accommodation in Dungloe, spending money, and Waterford Crystal.

The gala selection dance will feature music by the New York Showband featuring Tommy Flynn, traditional Irish music, Irish step dancers, an Open Bar, and Hot Buffet.Tickets are $40 per person, available from Anne-Marie at (718) 361-1847 or Siobhan at (646) 732-5312.

See you all next week!