Out & About

Well it was a very sad weekend as you can imagine with the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy at the World Trade Center that has affected all of us as here in New York and people of every nationality  in the United States of America; an act that will never be forgotten!

Yes, we had a lot of our Irish brothers and sisters who were killed on that day for no reason what so ever; murdered by mad men who were hoping to break our spirits... but that did not happen and they only made us stronger; yes, that's right stronger than ever before.

We here at The Irish Examiner newspaper would like to send our condolences to all the families who were affected and to the FDNY and NYPD who lost a lot of colleagues and friends in that terrible disaster here in New York; our prayers go out to you and to your families.

Our sincere thanks again to FDNY and NYPD for what you have done in the past and what you will do in the future, thank you again.

We have a few events coming up in the next week or two. First I have to give a mention that Cork's Barrack Street Band will be performing at the All-Ireland Football Finals in Croke Park on Sunday the 18th of September.

The performance will mark the band's 100th Anniversary of their first appearance at an All-Ireland final, when  they paraded with Cork and Antrim in the 1911 final  (also in Croke Park).

The Barrack Street Band will be the half time entertainment in the Minor Football Final which sees Dublin take on Tipperary  and they will accompany the Artane Band for the Presidential Salute, the Parade and the National anthem as Kerry take on Dublin in the All-Ireland Senior Final.

The finals  will to be a sell out event with over 81,000 people expected to attend to watch the teams seek All-Ireland glory.

It is a 5th appearance at an All Ireland Final for the band and another string to the bow of Irelands Oldest Amatuer Musical Institution in a year that also saw them lead the  second largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the world at  Savannah, Georgia.

Commenting on the occasion, Billy O'Callaghan, chairman and Barrack Street Band stalwart said, "The All-Ireland Football Finals have to be one of the biggest occasions in the Irish sporting calendar and while it's an absolute pity there will be no Cork players on the pitch that day we are very honoured to be representing Cork in some way on the day.

"This has been a fantastic year for the Barrack Street Band, leading the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Georgia and now Croke Park on Finals Day.

"This will be a great day out for all the band members who put in an epic amount of hard work and give up their free time to be part of this, we are also looking forward to performing to a packed cork city hall on October 1st at the Lord Mayors'   Community Heritage Concert which  is organized by the Lions club in association with cork city council."

The Barrack Street Band, affectionately known as the 'Barracka' in Cork was officially founded in 1837 by Fr. Theobald Matthew  and has become integral to the cultural fabric of Cork making significant cultural contribution to the musical life of the city.

There are 40 members and they are led by conductor Captain Brian Prendergast and it is rumoured that they will play at the New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade.

The Irish Festival at The Jersey Shore is the largest single-day Irish Festival in New Jersey.  It is held along the dunes right next to the beach at the Sea Girt National Guard Armory. 

The event is held every year in September when the weather is still warm and the beach crowds have died down. 

The location is the perfect place to feel the shore breezes while listening to great Irish music, enjoying fine food and drink, and learning about Irish culture.

Many of last year's bands will return and there will be some new ones as well.Festival veterans Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones, The Bogside Rogues, Round The House, and Amadaun will be joined by The McLean Avenue Band and The Birmingham Six. 

These bands will keep both the main stage and the pub stage rocking all day long.

The 2011 Festival will be held on Saturday, September 17 and cultural events will start off the Festival with a Catholic Mass celebrated in the traditional Gaelic language. 

The Ceili Pavilion provides traditional Irish folk music along with dancing, including the crowd favorite step-dancers. 

The Heritiage Pavilion provides a series of performers, speakers, and table displays that teach visitors about the history and struggles of the Irish and Irish-American people.

Many people come for the experience of a good corned beef sandwich, a cold pint of Guinness, and a good Irish tune.

A full array of food vendors will be on hand to satisfy Festival goers appetites. 

Vendors provide both Irish classics like corned beef and fish and chips along with American favorites like hamburgers, pizza, and funnel cakes. 

Pints of Guinness, Harp, and other cold drinks will provide the perfect compliment to a good Festival meal ... Gee that sounds nice huh?

Now here is something that should really interest you: the British National Theater of America and1st Irish Theater Festival will be presenting Reflections on Thursday, September 15 through Sunday, October 2.

Two women, two generations, one story. On the night of her daughter's wedding, Karen returns home alone, reflecting on the life she is living because of her terrorist husband's actions. 20 years later, Karen's daughter lives in a changed Northern Ireland, but still lives with the decisions she made at 17.Don't miss it at Stage Left Studio (214 West 30th Street). For tickets visit www.smartix.com.

Now in its third year, New York's annual First Irish Theatre Festival is a celebration of the best of Irish theatre, brought to you by Origin Theatre Company.

Throughout September and early October, they'll be continuing to highlight performances from playwrights new and old at fifteen venues throughout the city.

I wonder will Timmy Myles be at the show; he just might you know, more information contact Anita Daly at (212) 772- or e-mail anitadaly@yahoo.com.

The IBO are hosting an evening Networking Event, on Wednesday September 14 at 6.30pm. This time they'll be upstairs at O'Lunney's Times Square Restaurant (145 West 45th Street).

The featured Speaker is Miracle on the Hudson survivor Steven O'Brien.

A complementary buffet Dinner will be served. You can RSVP for this event  by emailing info@ibo-ny.com.

The Celtic Thunder Heritage Tour is coming to New York City! With sales surpassing one million combined CD and DVD units and almost half a million show tickets, the entertaining Celtic Thunder pay homage to the musical culture of Ireland with their upcoming North American Fall tour, Heritage.

In support of their most recent PBS special of the same name, the acclaimed show will make a stop in New York City for two shows at the Beacon Theatre on Saturday, September 24 at 2:30pm and 8:00pm.  Tickets are $50, $65 or $80 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800) 745-3000. 

See you all next week...