The Gathering Comes To The Rockaways To Help With The Rebuilding Effort

On Sunday, 2 June the 'Gathering Cois Rockaways' brought together representatives of the Irish Centers (Aisling, Emerald Isle, Mineola and New York Irish Centers) with a wide range of community groups including the Emerald Guild, Irish Network NYC, Irish Business Organization, Irish Arts Center, Irish International Business Network, GAA & AOH, involved in the two Irish Days of Action organized following Superstorm Sandy last year.

The 'Gathering Cois Rockaways' event, the second day of the Rockaway Irish Festival, was officially designated as part of 'The Gathering' by Tourism Ireland and the festival drew around 5,000 people to enjoy an Irish cultural showcase of music and dance over the weekend.

Transport was arranged by Speaker Quinn to bring members of the community from the Irish Centers in the Bronx, Yonkers, Queen's, Mineola and Manhattan to be part of the celebration.

The Irish Consulate is also working to support the refurbishment of the Saint Camillus Parish Center, which was badly damaged in Superstorm Sandy.

Deputy Consul General Peter Ryan was full of praise for the ongoing response of the Irish community to those areas still affected by the aftermath of Sandy: "We know that the work will need to continue for many months and years and the initiative for the 'Gathering Cois Rockaways' was to build on the two 'Irish Days of Action' by bringing together members of the Irish and Irish-American community to celebrate Irish culture and solidarity in the Rockaways.

"Huge thanks are due to our hosts, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Rockaways (Division 21), whose members, led by Mark Edwards and John Manning, were there for two days volunteering their services.

"The 'Gathering Cois Rockaways' was a great morale boost for the community and we hope that it will remind everyone of the strong bonds between the Rockaways and Breezy Point community and Ireland."