Out & About

That's not too go for you pink skinned Irish... hmm, I must be talking about myself as we just get burnt-red not tanned-brown as we all hoped.

If you don't take this seriously you will get burned I promise and then you can tell all your friends that you got scorched at the beach and now you're pealing. Now, how many times have I heard this? Every year, believe me.

Now you're wondering what the hell is he talking about? Well, the sun you eejit as when we go back to Ireland; as hopefully a lot of us will when the airlines bring the airfares back to a reality of $500 and we can bask in the rain and have some fun with the extra cash so that we can spend it to help the economy that can create   lots of jobs.

It's a no brainer and it's right in front of yea. For more tourists who will spend a lot of cash and also have a great time in the pubs, hotels, car rentals, gifts, restaurants, touring and lots more.

I've had a very positive reaction to my last columns on how we can fix the economic problems in Ireland; it's very easy if we only put our heads together so let's give it a shot as that is what Ireland is about: Tourism, it's the greatest country in the world for natural resources with plenty of honest people who would love to travel to Ireland and not down to Florida to get burned while having a good time.

Now, moving on, I got to see John Mahon, that great entrepreneur from Longford, who was looking great with his new hairstyle - his hair now flowing down his back.

Well, as we all know, John is one of the leading owners of several of the best Irish restaurants in New York City and is well respected in the Irish Community for his good work and his passion for Ireland.

He has one of the best teams around him in his partners who are all skilled in the restaurant business.

Should I name them? Ah why not: Des O'Brien, Pat Burke, Eamonn Maher, Eugene Wilson, Cormic McCormack, Ken McCoy and Brendan Donoghue. Now where would you get that talent huh?

I almost forgot that I met Tommy Burke on Madison Avenue last Wednesday as he was heading to the bank. Yes, he's the owner and partner (with Frank McCole)  of Lillie's and Papillon here in the city of New York and their business is flying.

Again, I keep saying it, you can't beat the Irish for running the best bars and restaurants in North America.

I was judging a pageant on last Saturday for the Miss Irish American Society in Mineola, Long Island where there was a capacity audience to support the contestants.

The  contestants were twelve lovely ladies whose ages ranged from 18-years-old to twenty-five, and let me tell you, it was a tough competition to judge as they all looked so nice and all had great personalities.

The other judges were Mary McMullen, Miriam Nyhan and Anne Marie McCullagh and boy do they know their stuff.

The contestants were Sharon Brady, Claire McKenna, Maura Nolan, Desiree McEvoy, Claudia Connor, Michelle Byrne, Eileen Sweeney, Michelle Duffy, Aisling Hall and Melly Timmreck.

The winner was  Sharon Brady, aged 24, and born in the Bronx whose parents are Frank and Helen (nee Clancy) Brady; both natives of Manor Hamilton, County Leitrim.

It was a tie for second  between Maura Nola (who had just celebrated her 18th birthday on April 25th) and Melly Timmreck. Maura's mother's from County Cork and her father is from the Bronx while Melly Timmreck, who was born in New Jersey has grandparents who came over from County Donegal, County Clare and County Mayo.

I would like to say congratulations to all the contestants as they were all winners in my eyes and again thanks to the President of The Irish American Society Betty Mc Loughlin and the Pageant Committee Carol Bella Schoenfeld, Mary Coyne, Dolores Casey and Mary Lennon.

The Kruise for Kids will be held this Wednesday (June 8th) and all are wecome!!!

This is the last one for Project Children so join us as I will be aboard. Call (212) 717-9955 for tickets; boarding's at 6pm.

Some important news for J1 visa holders just came in from Failte 32. This is what it said: "We welcome all of you to the U.S. We have a number of job networking events in this issue for those of you on J1 visas. It's important that you attend these events as you will get to meet Irish and Irish Americans interested in helping you any way they can. Attending these events should be part of your job search, but you'll have a great time out at the same time. Remember, if you go to an event or call in some place looking for a job, always get a name and make sure to follow up. You should spend at least 3-4 days of the week actively looking for a job, and 1-2 days following up by phone or email.

"As you know from our last update, the IBO has invited all new arrivals from Ireland to their Summer party on Wednesday June 15.  Please see details on the news/events section on www.failte32.org.

"Paul Hurley, owner of O'Casey's Bar and Restaurant, and co-founder Failte 32, will again be hosting weekly social networking evenings at O'Casey's beginning Monday June 13th where free finger food and dollar beers will be served.

"Paul ... and all the O'Casey's staff have very generously supported our new arrivals since the launch of Failte 32 last year.

"[He] has a number of great Irish bars in new York (www.pdohurleys.com) that are well worth visiting if you are on a J1 visa as you can get to meet influential locals who might be able to help you get a job.

"Paul and his business partner Michael Glynn, together with one of the top executive chefs, Paul Loftus, recently reopened Kennedy's on 57th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues).

"The place is looking like its old self with Neil in the front bar, and in the back bar, Maurice O'Connell - one of New York's most famous bartenders for over 30 years and well known to all the celebrities and politicians.

"Congratulations Paul and thanks for all your generosity supporting our new arrivals.

"The Irish Network - NYC Committee (www.irishnetwork-nyc.com), under the leadership of Gina Reilly, has also very kindly invited those of you on J1s to its monthly networking event on Thursday June 16th, conveniently the day after the IBO Summer party.

"We have asked the committee to ask their members to try to bring along a job referral or tip on the night for our new arrivals. Details of the event will be posted shortly on the news/events section on www.failte32.org.

"We are very grateful to the IN-NYC, in particular Gina Reilly, for supporting Summer J1 visa holders from Ireland."

Paul Finnegan, Executive Director of the New York Irish Center in Queens (www.newyorkIrishcenter.org) has very kindly invited all of you looking for Summer work to its Monthly Trad Session."

The Ull Mor (Big Apple) branch of Comhaltas Ceolteoiri na hEireann holds a traditional Irish music and dancing seisiún at the New York Irish Center on a monthly basis. 

Lots of musicians, singers and dancers regularly come down to join in this late-afternoon session of great trad. 

Organized by Cathy Hornberger, the Craobh Ull Mor CCE  look forward to their next seisiun at the Center from 4-7pm on Sunday June 19th.

Free, donations accepted for food and beverage.

The New York Irish Center is also planning a Movie Night either Friday night July 8 or July 15. They should know exactly which night in about a week or so.

It's $10, with Seniors and J-1s $5, so please keep this in your calendars.

See you all next week...