Out & About

One man will never go away and I mean that in a good way; that man is Fr. Colm Campbell who celebrated his Golden Jubilee with a number of old and new parishioners  who attended his 50th  Anniversary at the Holy Trinity Parish (West 82nd Street between Amsterdam and Broadway), in conjunction with The New York Irish Center, last Sunday.

There was a great turn out, which was not surprising given that this man has been a friend to everyone... even me would you believe it?

For his whole career he's officiated at weddings, funerals, baptisms, County Banquets and lots more and he was always available.

It's amazing to thing that Fr. Campbell has been a priest for 50 years this June would you believe it? That man should be sainted! 

Congratulations from everyone at The Irish Examiner newspaper and may you have lots more. 

Maggie Mae's (41-15 Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside) are having a big benefit on Sunday June 27th from 2pm until late to support the recovery of Ged Hourigan and Justin Donaghy who became victims of a shooting by a security guard while they were both bowling with their wives.

Please support this good cause with donations to help defray  their heavy medical  expenses. That would be greatly appreciated.

For more information contact one of the following: Finbarr Flood (347) 612-8369, Liam McDonnell (347) 247- 0664, Hazel Coombes (718) 219-7979, Mike Reilly (917) 939-9566, Pat Tunny (718) 507-3697, Martin Reilly (347) 400-4365, Jen Davis (917) 608-5993, Kieran McAndrews (917) 478-8075, Justin Kiernan (917)502-7892 or Mick Morley (914) 882-6606.

The FIFA World Cup 2010 from South Africa seems like it will be the biggest one ever and now it seems that the U.S. media are beginning to realize what this game is all about and are finally getting behind it at long, long last, and about time too!

As I am on about the World Cup our own Tommy Smyth  (with a Y not an I) is all over the place, appearing on television, radio and the Internet. His success is well deserved let me tell you, and what a story it is!

This newspaper will be doing a big feature on Tommy when the World Cup is over because for now it is hard to keep up with him as he is so busy.

Emmy award winning journalist Charlie Rose has been praised as "one of America's premier interviewers." He is the host of Charlie Rose, the nightly PBS program that engages the world's best thinkers, writers, politicians, athletes, entertainers, business leaders, scientists and other newsmakers. USA Today calls Charlie Rose, "TV's most addictive talk show." New York Newsday says, "Charlie's show is the place to get engaging, literate conversation... Bluntly, he is the best interviewer around today" and, guess what? Tommy Smyth was his guest on Friday night... good on yea Tommy.

Adrian Flannelly had a packed show last Saturday with Terry McEniff from Mount Errigal Hotel; Letterkenny; Paul Whyte, a news reporter who discussed the historic Saville Report; Packie Heaney from Highland Radio; The Henry Girls who appeared live from Inshowen; Jimmy Kennedy, a former New York resident who has returned to Donegal; and Mickey Harte, the winner of the 'You're a Star' TV show.

Adrian's Irish Radio Network USA is one of the most listened radio stations in North America and he is one of the best radio announcers ever and the longest-serving, having spent over 40 years presenting a radio program from New York.

He has also always been a major pioneer for Irish immigration, pushing for more visas for the undocumented via his radio show and in person in Washington, DC. Keep up the good work Adrian as we need you.

Bloomsday on Broadway celebrated its 29th Annual  Celebration of James Joyce's Ulysses with over 50 actors gathered at Symphony Space including famous stars such as Ciaran O'Reilly, Charlotte Moore, Malachy McCourt, Colm McCann, Clodagh Bowyer, Fionnula Flannagan and lots more.

Down at Ulysses on Stone Street they were celebrating their anniversary and, talking to Mike Jewel you had to get there early as Danny McDonnell, his partner, was getting the place ready for the rush and rush it was as the place was packed to capacity and everyone who is anyone was there.

You have got to check out Ulysses... as I've said in past Out and About columns, the whole area is all Irish bars and restaurants and it's New York's Irish Reverie with establishments like The Dubliner, Beckett's, Stone Street Cafe, Harry's Mad Dog and Beans (yes, that's Irish owned and run) and The Waterstone Grill.

As I said, they're all between Pearl Street and Stone Street so go down and say hello and have a cocktail or a pint with some lunch or dinner and you will not be disappointed... I promise.

I got to meet with Pat Burke at Eamonn's Bar & Grill, along with the great Eamonn himself, for some late lunch before heading over to the new Pig'n'Whistle on 36th Street (just off 7th Avenue) and who would join us... yes, you guessed it: the coffee man himself, Pete Scalley.

The new Pig'n'Whistle was packed upstairs and downstairs. Pat was tell me that it is one of the best headquarters for watching the World Cup as they cater for everyone, for all nationalities who like to watch the football (soccer) and, believe me, the service has to be seen to be believed!

I didn't see Des O'Brien though... he must have busy with the other restaurants: O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant (on 46th Street) and Langan's Irish Pub and Restaurant (on 47th Street). That man is hard to catch I tell you!

Well it's this time of the year again and The Irish Examiner newspaper will be celebrating our 2nd Annual Woman of the Year Award.

This year we have nominated a very fine lady - Sheila Lynott, First Vice-President at the Irish Business Organization here in New York City.

We'll be holding a celebratory event to honor our Woman of the Year at Eamonn's Bar & Grill (on East 45th Street between Madison and 5th Avenue) on Wednesday July 7th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

We'll keep you posted about invitations. As this lady is so popular it has to be by invite only!

For more information email: paddy@irishexaminerusa.com. 

Ireland comes to Brooklyn this summer to celebrate the best in Irish music new and old when Aviator Sports & Events Center presents The Brooklyn Irish Music Festival on June 26th and 27th. This  two-day outdoor event features ten great Irish bands including Black 47, Girsa, Seanchai & the Unity Squad, Greg Trooper , The Fighting 86s, Three Pints Shy, Boston's Erin Og, Strayaway Saints, Mac Talla Mor, and The Snakes

The spacious grounds of Aviator (on Floyd Bennett Field) provide the perfect outdoor environment for rockin' Irish music.

Under the sun and stars, songs will fill the open air from 2pm to 11pm on Saturday and again on Sunday from 2pm to 10pm. Tickets are $30 for the weekend or $20 for one day.

For more details, call (718) 758-7556 or email johnc@aviatorsports.     

See you all next week