Out & About

I would like to start off by telling you about the half-way to St. Patrick's Day Party at Rockville Centre with the St. Patrick's Parade kick-off fundraiser on October 2nd. For more information call Kevin Conlon on (718) 757-6908 or Dan Riordan at (516) 672-5344.

I just can't believe that we are half-way there already; now where does the time go huh?

I see the Hudson Valley Irish Festival was a huge success and thanks again to Dan Dennehy for all the hard work. He deserves a round of applause, good on you Dan.

The Inaugural American Ireland Fund Run will be held on Saturday October 30th. Join the for a 5 kilometer run (or walk) along Manhattan's West Side Highway and support the work of The American Ireland Fund and the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation.

The day starts at 8am with registration and the run takes place between 9.30am and 11.30am. There'll be Finish Line Festivities too! And costumes are welcome!

To register or to make a donation send an e-mail to cmccormick@irlfunds.org or call (212) 689-3100. We've heard a lot of negative talk about the New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade already, now here are the facts from the parade committee.

The President of Ireland Mary McAleese recently communicated she is unable to join the Irish American community in celebrating 250 years of Irish culture in the United States of America on March 17th next year in New York City.

This is because of her extremely busy schedule in the last six months of her tenure as President of Ireland, plus the mounting economic pressures in Ireland.

"While this is understandable, it is however disappointing for Irish America given the hugely historical significance of the event and the relationship between Ireland and the U.S.," said John Dunleavy, the Chairman of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.

The President reassured Irish America by expressing her continued good wishes and support for the Irish community in the US and for the 250 year celebration of Irish Faith, Heritage and Culture in New York.

Now all our readers out there should please tell those people to stop this propa-ganda that has been going on for years and let's just enjoy this historic day as we all come together and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Patron Saint of Ireland here in New York City. Okay, now stop it!

The Adrian Flannelly Show was broadcast live from New York last Saturday and, yet again, he had a great line-up of guests, including Brooklyn DA Charles "Joe" Hynes who discussed Medicaid fraud; Dr Bryan Gregory, the CEO of Titanic Belfast and Turlough McConnell, a journalist and marketing executive on to talk about the past, present and future of the Titanic!

You can contact the show at Flannelly Promotions Ltd, 515 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 or by phone on (212) 935-0606 or by e-mail at info@irishradio.com.

They're also on line at irishradio.com. Don't forget to tell them that The Irish Examiner newspaper sent you.

It is almost over now, but what a success The 3rd Annual Festival of Irish Theatre was. The 1st Irish Festival is a four-week theatrical celebration and it will be coming to an end on Sunday October 3rd.

Again there has been a lot of hard work from the organizers especially the man himself George Heslin.

Oh! As I am on the subject of George it has now been announced that he is The Irish Examiner Newspaper's Man of the Year for 2010 and we will be hosting a reception for him on Thursday October 21st at Eamonn's Bar & Grill on the second floor.

Congratulations George, it is well deserved honor for everything you have been doing for the Irish community here in New York and helping to make it an even better and happier place to live in. Thanks again!

At the Irish Consulate last Wednesday (September 22nd) the new Consul General of Ireland Mr. Noel Kilkenny and Ms Hanora O'Dea Kilkenny invited us to meet the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Micheal Martin, T.D. who gave a good briefing on the state of the economy in Ireland.

According to the Minister things seem to be looking up a little and he also announced major monetary support from the Irish Government for many different Irish organizations here in the U.S.

I did miss the Minister on Sunday at the Irish Consul General's Residence where he was celebrating the success of the 3rd Annual Festival of Irish Theatre. Unfortunately I had other commitments that day but oh, I could have done with that glass of wine. Ah well maybe next time.

I got a message announcing the celebration of Fr. Colm Campbell's 50th Anniversary in the Priesthood (that man should be sainted) at the New York Irish Center (1040 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City in Queens) on Sunday October 3rd at 12:30pm.

Fr. Campbell would love to meet you for his Golden Jubilee Celebration. To help them plan the catering, please let them know if you are planning on attending as they will try to facilitate as many a possible. RSVP to Caitlin Simkovich on (718) 482-0909 or email jubilee@newyorkirishcenter.org.

Have you ever been over to Gossip Bar and Restaurant (733 Ninth Avenue, between 49th and 50th Street; (212) 265-2720)?

Well, if not, you do not know what you're missing as this is the in place on the westside of Manhattan.

They have a Happy Hour that runs from 4pm to 7pm on Mondays through Fridays and they also have private party rooms available for weddings, birthdays, showers or dinners, so give them a call or email contact@gossipbarnyc.com.

If you visit, there's also a chance you might get to meet the owners Danny, Keiran or Jimmy, all of whom have been doing a very professional job in running this establishment. So, give them a call, you won't be disappointed.

See you all next week.