Out & About

Have you ever seen so much snow in your life? Well I haven't and now they say that the recent snowfall has made history... now how about that?

All I can say is, tell that to my shoes as it was like walking on water, or should I say in water. Yes I did have boots as well, but they are not waterproof, of course, only me; if I told you how old they are, okay I will... I bought them in Canada over twenty years ago, yes, twenty years ago when I went on a trip to the Canadian rocky mountains in British Columbia. They must be worth a couple of bob now right?

Now that I've got that out of the way there's lots happening in the coming months. As always it will be all go from now on in until St. Patrick's Day with an abundance of entertainment and shows from Ireland that will whet your appetite for the Big Day. You'll definitely find plenty to do and I hope you don't miss any of it!

Before I start, as you know we had our Fifth Anniversary last Wednesday and of course, what should happen... you said it: Snow as was forecasted and let me tell you we got lots of cancellations as a result, but we still had a great night upstairs at O'Casey's Irish Bar and Restaurant... all twenty six of us!

The Consul General of Ireland Noel Kilkenny made it and also gave a very nice introduction and was very generous with his remarks. We here at The Irish Examiner newspaper would like to thank him very much!

Also there was John Dunleavy, the Chairman of the New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee who made all the way down from Woodlawn and again made some very nice remarks about the paper.

We thank everyone for their kind thoughts on the emails we received, especially from those who could not make it there in person because of the weather or who had other commitments that prevented them from coming.

Again thank you all so much.

Yes, I was around town last week stopping at a new Irish bar and restaurant on East 33rd Street, just off Madison Avenue, called Nelly Spillane's who had their Grand Opening on Friday night. The place is definitely well worth a visit!

Then it was on to the Galway Hooker on 36th Street for another few pints with Declan the bartender who sure can pour a great pint of Guinness. Just to let you know, they have one of the best Happy Hours in Manhattan and the place is always packed. Now, that is not the reason I went, I just love the place as it is so comfortable.

I then headed down to Nevada Smiths on Third Avenue. I'm sure that you know that the bar is world-famous for its soccer coverage, but you have got to go at night as well. With Karaoke on Thursday nights and visual D.J.s on Friday and Saturday nights, it's definitely well worth a visit... How'd you like that plug then?

Getting back to the arts I did mention last week about the show Kid Shamrock which will be opening soon and features some great friends of The Irish Examiner newspaper including John Duddy and Sheamus McDonagh.

Kid Shamrock will hold its world premier at the Atlantic Theatre Company's Stage 2, with recently retired Irish boxer John Duddy making his US acting stage debut and Seamus McDonagh - the former New York Golden Gloves champion star - in the highly anticipated production.

You'll have to be quick though since there's only seven performances only. Written by Bobby Cassidy Jr. and directed by James Smallhorne, Kid Shamrock begins performances on Tuesday February 8 and runs through February 13.

Performance will be held at 8pm on Tuesday through Sunday. The Atlantic Theatre Company is located at 330 West 16th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues. Tickets are $27.50 and are available online at ticketcentral.com or by calling (212) 279-4200.

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street; (212) 727-2737) have two shows, yes, two shows with Brian Friel's Molly Sweeney beginning on March 13th. Ireland's master storyteller (Dancing at Lughnasa, Translations, Philadelphia, Here I Come) has devised a riveting contemporary drama about the terrible consequences of a medical miracle. You've got to go and see this show on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage.

You can book tickets by calling their Box Office at (212) 727-2737 or via e-mail to jeff@irishrep.org.

The other show which starts on February 2, and runs through March 6, is the World Premiere of My Scandalous Life By Thomas Kilroy, which will be performed at the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre which is in the same building at The Irish Rep.

The play's set in 1944 in the middle of the Second World War where Lord Alfred Douglas (Oscar Wilde's beloved Bosie), overcome with memories of the notorious love affair which rocked the world struggles to examine the mysteries of his own identity. Now I am not going to tell you any more as I know you will enjoy both shows.

As I was saying, it's all happening right now with Mae O'Driscoll; yes, the same woman who has been selected as Grand Marshal of the Brooklyn St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 20.

The Parade Installation Dance will take place on Saturday, February 5 at St. Patrick's Auditorium (4th Ave. and 97th Street in Brooklyn) beginning at 8pm.

The County Cork BP&P Association's 127th St. Patrick's Day Banquet will be held on Saturday March 5 at Antun's (96-43 Springfield Boulevard in Queens Village) with cocktails being served from 7pm followed by dinner and dancing to the Black Velvet Band.

Father James Drew and Eileen Cronin have been named the 2011 Corkman and Corkwoman respectively. Ted Flanagan will receive the Frank Carvill Distinguished Service Award.

Fr. Drew is a native of Upton, Innishannon, Co. Cork. He is the association chaplain and is pastor of St. Vincent DePaul's Roman Catholic Church in Elmont, Long Island.

Eileen Cronin was born and raised in the Bronx; her parents were from Knockbrack, Mallow. She hosts the weekly Long Ireland Radio Show on Saturdays from Hofstra University.

Ted Flanagan is a native of Killeagh, Co. Cork. He is a 38-year member of the association and now spends his winters in Florida but he's said that he's delighted to return to New York to receive this honor.

They will also be honoring three fifty-year members - Denis Bernard, Oliver Nelligan and Billy Kenneally. A souvenir journal will be published to commemorate the event.

The Dance Chairperson is Mary Power (212) 535-6220, Journal Chair is Gary Power (917) 699-3018 and reservations will be handled by Mary Waters (718) 899-6776 and Mary Hurley (917) 886-4196.

Tickets are $85 per person... I just had to get that in or we could all be in trouble... just kidding!

If you have any announcements on county dances or shows please send them on (to events@irishexaminerusa.com) or call (212) 994-8042 and we will do our best to highlight them in our Out& About.

See you all next week...