Out & About

I am going to begin by wishing all our readers a very Happy Christmas as that is what we say in Ireland and if you can believe it's possible I'll wish you a Prosperous New Year too and hope with the bail out in Ireland that we all can see the green again.

Well, what do you think I did for the last week Out & About? As you may have guessed I visited a few establishments in the city. Obviously it was a little bit cold so that was a very good excuse to get in out of it.

I met with the Secretary of the New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee Hilary Beirne in Times Square of all places and he was all pumped up about the Gala Ball on March 15th at Chelsea Piers that is taking shape very rapidly (at least as far as the V.I.P.'s that will be attending) and told me he will keep me informed over the next few weeks. He's got me so excited now as I know that this is going to be the biggest event of the year.

Yes, I know what you're saying: can't he tell us now? I wish I could, but he did promise to let me know first... do you like that huh?

As I left Hilary, lo and behold, who was crossing the street but Paul Hurley of P.D. Hurley's East & West (on 72nd Street off Broadway), O'Casey's (on 41st Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues) and Pier 84 (on 12th Avenue). Now what luck do you think that is I wonder?

We decided to go over to O'Brien's Irish Pub just off Times Square on 46th Street to see Des O'Brien and Pat Burke the two owners along with the manager Cormack McCormick to celebrate some Christmas cheer.

Unfortunately they were not there so we went to the upstairs lounge and had a pint with Justin the bartender hoping that they might come back, any excuse will do right? We tried to call them, but the phones were not working as somebody had damaged the telephone wires on the back of their building and they have the great telephone company Verizon... ha, ha, for them coming soon is impossible as we all know that nobody cares about your business and how it all works... well we do!

OK, moving on... we headed over to Langan's Broadway Irish Bar and Restaurant on 47th Street hoping to catch the great Des O'Brien himself, but we still had no luck as this man is always on the move. He seems to be better than me for getting around. Since we were on 47th Street we left Langan's to go across the street to the Pig'N'Whistle to see if we could meet with Pat Burke.

Finally, success: we did hook up with him and he was with his manager Cormack McCormick from O'Brien's and I think they were using the phone to call the phone company called Verizon... heh, some luck to catch them... the telephone company I mean.

Now what else was there to do but take off our coats and settle down for a couple of nice cold drinks; ah, I love it don't you?

Just kidding though... as you know it's that time of the year again and we are coming to the end of a year I am sure we all want to forget... well I do anyhow!

I can only tell you is that the place was hopping (as it should be) and the atmosphere was tremendous and who better to host it than Pat Burke. The man is always in good form and to see him meet and greet people... there is no better man.

I just need to to mention that Maureen McLoughlin from the U.R.T.O. is going to Colorado for some quality family time for Christmas and some fun in the snow; lucky for her.

She wanted you to know that the office will be closed until Monday January 27th. She will, however, be checking her e-mails. Should you need immediate assistance, please contact Paul Hurley at pdohurley@aol.com, Kathleen Reilly at kathleen@thecoliseumpub.com, or Tom Slattery at slattery16@msn.com.

Last weekend The Adrian Flannelly Show caught up with Michael Gallagher, a Postman for over 40 years from Glenfin Village, Co. Donegal.

He has baffled meteorologists by predicting the Irish weather using ancient local customs linked to animal behavior. Over the past 25 years, he has achieved an 80% accuracy record! Adrian also continued his Christmas Series on Immigrant Community organizations, this week featuring The New York Irish Center in Long Island City, Queens - a focal point for the Irish Community in the metropolitan New York area: Paul Finnegan is Director.

To listen to Adrian's show tune in or log on... 9am-10am-WNYE 91.5FM-National Public Radio HD1 10am-12noon-WVNJ 1160AM -New York tri-state Live streamed and archived at irishradio.com

Don't forget that they also have the latest in news and sports live from Ireland with Kevin O'Connor sponsored by Quinnipiac University, the US Sports desk with Gavin Enright, A Week In US Politics with John Dearie, and the Community Events Calendar with Aine Sheridan.

Now, once more I thought I should let you know that when you're in town for Christmas and the New Year's Eve don't forget to visit all these fine establishments: Eamonn's Bar and Grill, O'Casey's, O'Brien's, Tracks, Langan's, the Pig'N'Whistles on 47th Street and 36th Street, P.J. Moran's, Desmond's Tavern, The Galway Hooker on 36th and The Downtown Galway Hooker, Fiddlesticks, Channel 4, P.D.Hurley's East and West, Papillion, Lillies, Nevada Smiths, Ryan's Irish Pub, The Thirsty Scholar, Bull McCabe's, Stout, Gallagher's Steak House, The Wheeltapper in the Fitzpatrick Hotel, Public House, Black Sheep, and Pier 84... the list goes on and on but they're all great places to visit to get your Irish up for Christmas when you're in Manhattan over the Holidays and for ringing in the New Year.

Now also do not forget to pay a visit to the Irish shows that are playing at The Irish Repertory Theatre, The Irish Arts Theatre and The Irish Center with plenty to suit everyone's taste.

I will finish off by telling you about the Upcoming Parade events. On Monday January 10th they'll be holding the Installation of the Grand Marshal and Aides and on Sunday February 20th there's the Grand Marshal and Aides Reception at Antun's in Queens Village.

To reserve a spot online to the Gala Banquet being held on Tuesday March 15th at Pier Sixty visit www.nycstpatricksparade.org/grand_marshal_reception_form, or send a snail-mail to PO Box 295, Woodlawn Station, Woodlawn, NY 10470. You could also call (718) 231-4400 or fax (718) 231-4401.

That's it for this year, I hope to see you all in the New Year...