Out & About

I said I would come back to you with the news about what Sheila Lynott, the 1st Vice President of the IBO, as far as the the purchase of plots of land in rural Ireland goes.

Well here it is: Sheila LOST the plot lot; maybe it was to expensive for her at $49.99 huh?

We had a great night last Thursday at Eamonn's Bar & Grill where The Irish Examiner newspaper honored George Heslin - Artistic Director of the Origin Theatre - as our Man of the Year.

There was a large turnout to congratulate him for all his hard work that he has been doing for Irish theatre.

The night started with music by the Tipperary Knights which was very entertaining, before the presentations where George received a Proclamation from New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn who was unfortunately not able to make the event as she was visiting Ireland on official business.

Larry Kirwan from Black 47 also read out a nice letter from President Clinton.

The Irish Examiner newspaper would like to thank all the sponsors and advertisers for making it a great success as you will see in this week's paper; congratulations again George, it was well deserved!

I went to the Notre Dame and Navy game last Saturday in Giants Stadium and what a thrill it was too, with the buzz in the stadium utterly electrifying.

It was something that I'd always wanted to do and the good news is I was in the Budweiser Suite where I got to meet Gerry O'Donavan and his son James who is the owner and partner of Ryan's Irish Pub on Second Avenue (and also the Thirsty Scholar and Bull McCabe's).

Oh, and yes, before you ask, the Coffee-Man Pete Scalley was also at the game... how does he do it?

The Cork Association also had their Annual Halloween Party on Saturday night. I was hoping to go, as what I don't know for sure but I pretty convinced that the Association's President Mary Power was dressed up as a nun... God help us all!

I also heard that Deirdre O'Hea was dressed as Michael Jackson. It must have been a good night as they had lots of spot prizes.

It was nice to see Des O'Brien last week at Eamonn's Bar and Grill as he is so busy with Langan's, O'Brien's and the new Pig'n'Whistle that it's hard to catch up with him.

Talking about Saturday night, the Dublin Society were honoring Niamh Conway at Rosie O'Grady's. I did try to get there, as I was in Rosie's at 5.30pm thinking it was on at 6pm... now you can imagine I was just back from the Notre Dame game so I was in good form.

I left and went to O'Casey's on 41st Street and had some dinner and a few cocktails and, who did I meet? Only Paul Hurley. We were all hoping to head back up to Rosie O'Grady's to wish Niamh Conway the best because she is (and she deserved the recognition again for what she has been doing in New York - as you might not know she is the owner of the Galway Hooker on 36th Street, The Galway Hooker Downtown and another fine establishment Fiddlesticks - Good on yea Niamh; you're one of the best.

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center (EIIC) has announced that their 23rd Annual Dinner will be held on Friday, October 29th at the Astoria World Manor (25-22 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria) at 7pm.

The Center was founded by members of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement (IIRM) in 1988 and through the years has served the needs of tens of thousands of Irish and many other New York immigrants.

It has survived because of the unfailing support it receives from the Irish and Irish-American communities it serves in New York City and the greater metropolitan area.

On a daily basis the center and its staff provide assistance on all aspects of immigration, social service, mental health, senior services and programs, employment and education.

They are quite rightly immensely proud of the services they provide and the staff who deliver them.

In order to sustain the critical and increasing demand for reliable immigration services they are very grateful for the continued funding they receive from the Irish Government, the City Council of New York, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and New York State.

They also truly need the support of the Irish and Irish-American communities for this event this year above any other as we seek to sustain their current levels of staff as they are encountering tougher funding challenges.

This year, they are inviting you to join them once again as they honor three individuals who typify the spirit of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center and acknowledge their outstanding contributions to the Irish Community.

These include The Honorable Daniel Dromm, NYC Council Member, District 25, Chair Immigration Committee; Richard T. Fitzsimmons, Business Manager, Secretary/Treasurer, Local Union 147, L.I.U.N.A., John Lyons, Co-Owner McKeon's Bar & Restaurant, Yonkers

Tickets for the event will remain at 2009 prices of $85.00 per person, with the Emerald Package consisting of a table of 10 and an Emerald page in the dinner journal for $1,100.

All funds raised will support their social services program expansion, in particular their recently restored employment coordinator position.

For information on tickets and/or journal advertisement reservations or if you have questions, please call Sandra Boyle, Deputy Director at (718) 478-5502, Ext.211.

I also paid a visit to Tracks last week and had a pint with Michael O'Brien who seems very relaxed.

With all the concerts and the Ranger and Knicks games that are now happening in Madison Square Garden, things are looking up and he a smile from ear to ear.

Call in, he will be waiting for you and say hello... You never know he might just buy you one... Just kidding Michael.

See you all next week.