Out & About

Gael of the Year... yes that is what I was, for the Queens County Saint Patrick's Day Parade dinner last Saturday night at Antun's in Queen's Village.

A great night was had by all thanks to Micky King and his staff as again they outdid themselves with superb food and service; ah where else would you get it.

Congratulations Micky.

The guest of honor was the Grand Marshal Kevin O'Brien of the 37th Queens County Parade which will be held on Rockaway Beach on Saturday March 3.

So, who do you think was sitting next to me? Only the man himself John Dunleavy, Chairman of the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Queens County was the first one to start off the Saint Patrick's Day festivities this year and a fine dinner it was too.

Thanks again to Mike Benn who worked very hard to make this a very successful night.

An Irish Culture Night with Niall O'Leary and Martin O'Connell featuring a live Irish music session and Irish dance jam is held every Thursday at Paddy Reilly's Music Bar (519 2nd Avenue on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 29th Street) from 10.30pm-1am.

The evenings are hosted by Niall O'Leary, with a different guest musician and guest dancers every week.

This week (Thursday February 22) features Caitlin Warbelow on the fiddle. All are welcome to jam!

The Irish Business Organization will be holding its February Networking Breakfast on Tuesday, February 28 from 8am-9.30am at the Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel (687 Lexington Avenue between 56th and 57th Streets).

The featured speaker will be Dermot J. O'Brien,, Executive Vice President, Human Resources TIAA-CREF.

A native of Dublin, Ireland, he is the son of legendary Irish Accordion player Dermot O'Brien.

The IBO Breakfast is hosted every month by Niall O'Leary.

The format consists of informal networking, full Irish breakfast, everyone talks for a minute about themselves and their business, featured speaker, questions, business card exchange, and more networking!

Cost: $25 for current IBO members who RSVP before 3pm on Monday, February 27, 2012, $30 for all others. (cost includes gratuity).

RSVP to (212) 750-8118 or via email to info@ibo-ny.com. You do not need to be a member to attend.

The IBO is the premier business networking organization for the Irish community in the New York City metropolitan area.

Their most recent event featured an address by the Irish Prime Minister, Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The IBO host an Evening Networking Event and a Business Breakfast every month. Visit www.ibo-ny.com for more information on the organization and its events.

This month's Failte 32 featured organization is the Irish American Business Chamber and Network. Find out more about them at www.iabcn.org

If you are still searching for employment, consider attending the St. Patrick's Day 2012 Grand Marshal and Aides Reception on February 26 (nycstpatricksparade.org). Contact your County Society (www.uicany.org) as they may have room for you at their table.

This is a great way to meet everyone in the Irish community in New York.

The Grand Marshal for the 2012 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade will be Francis X. Comerford, Chief Revenue Officer and President of Commercial Operations for NBC Owned Television Stations.

Those of you in business or wanting to communicate an important message to the community, should consider taking a journal ad for the Grand Marshall and Aides Reception (nycstpatricksparade.org/journal-ad-prices).

This is a great way to express your thanks to the honorees and also get some well placed advertising for your business or message.

Journals are the traditional mainstay for many Irish organizations, so you will also be helping these organizations continue their operations and important purpose. Please contact Cathy Miceli before Thursday February 16.

Also remember that if you're looking for a job, always stay in touch with the Irish immigration support centers, such as the Emerald Isle Immigration Center and the Aisling Irish Community Center as these organizations frequently receive job and accommodation referrals. Stay in touch with them at least weekly.

The Irish Repertory Theatre will be presenting 'Beyond The Horizon' by Eugene O'Neill running from February 15 to April 8.

This production is directed by Ciarán O'Reilly and stars Rod Brogan, Patricia Conolly, Lucas Hall, Jonathan Judge-Russo, Aimee Laurence, Johanna Leister, Wrenn Schmidt, David Sitler and John Thomas Waite.

Beyond the Horizon was Eugene O'Neill's first full-length play and won the first of his four Pulitzer prizes.

Set on a farm in Massachusetts at the beginning of the Twentieth Century, this riveting drama pits brother against brother for the heart of one woman.

Robert Mayo, a romantic young poet is about to embark on the voyage of his dreams.

His brother Andrew is a contented farmer with a passion for the land.

On the eve of Robert's departure, when their neighbor, the beautiful Ruth declares her love for one over the other, the brothers trade lives with heart-breaking consequences.

The farmer goes to sea and the poet tends the land.

This is a powerful, timeless work by America's greatest playwright.

Shows will be on at 8pm on Wednesdays through Saturday, with 3pm matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Regular ticket prices are $65 or $55. Visit www.irishrep.org or call (212) 727-2737 for more information.

See you next week...