Out & About

Mayo's Austin Delaney, one of New York's finest gentlemen died on Friday last after a brief illness.

He was one of the most famous restaurant and businessmen in the Irish community, co-founder of Rosie O'Grady's (800 Seventh Avenue) and Harbour Lights (on Pier 17 in South Street Seaport) two very successful establishments that are known the World over.

Austin was also well known in the horse-racing fraternity both here in the United States and in Ireland owning two great fillies, Irish Actress and Irish Linnet, that won many a race and were trained by by Leo O'Brien.

Again, Austin was a great friend to everyone and anyone who came across his path.

He is survived by his children J.P., AnnMarie and Dermot, his two daughters-in-law Melissa and Jennifer and three grandchildren Sooirse, Conor and Rory.

We send our condolences to all of his family from everyone at The Irish Examiner newspaper.

The Class of 2009 Manhattan College 167th Undergraduate Commencement was held last Sunday and I had the pleasure of going there to see my daughter Christina graduate in business and marketing; now is that something? I wonder who she got that from huh?

I was so proud to see her and all the other graduates receiving their diplomas. It was a long day as we had mass first and then the ceremony followed with keynote speaker Police Commissioner Ray Kelly getting an honorary degree and speaking very well, advising all the graduates to believe in themselves and have self confidence when they go out into the real world.

The sad news of the day was that Brother Thomas Scanlan is stepping down as  President of the college in June 2009.

He gave a great final speech to all the grads and parents in the Draddy Gymnasium and was also awarded an honorary degree as a Doctor of Education.

I have a picture of my daughter's graduation and, yes you are going to see it! Why? Because I am so happy for her; I wish I had had that chance as some of you can understand okay?

The night before we had a dinner, well they had, what can I say? Anything for a party.

We ended up in Rory Dolan's on McLean Avenue and let me tell you outside the private room where the Manhattan College party was, the bar and restaurant was packed.

Now tell me where in the bloody hell is the recession?

I am sure my friends Mike Brennan and Sean would be happy because these men are the backbone of the operation let me tell you, not to mention Rory of course.

Well I walked in the Eamonn's on 45th Street (between Madison and Fifth Avenue) on Friday night and low and behold who was at the bar? Only Des O'Brien of Langan's and Pat Burke of the Pig'n'Whistle and of course O'Brien's Irish Pub just off Broadway, where the real people to meet are Cormack and his staff.

As you might know after a funeral, and this was a special funeral for our friend Austin Delaney, we went from the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus (on 96th Street and Amsterdam Avenue) for a pint at the Dive Bar (located a convenient block away) with a few good friends including Paul Hurley, the owner of some great establishments in New York City along with coffee men Pete Scalley who was also a good friend of Austin's.

The church was packed as I said with Father Brian Jordan taking care of things and can he take care of things! I am not going to say yet Father as maybe you're on a retreat and I do not want to upset your prayers!

Outside the church everybody in the restaurant business was there... you had Frankie Dwyer, Paul Hurley, Jim Sheridan, Pete Fitzpatrick, Denis Reynolds, Jimmy Glynn, Ian Conroy, Mike Carty, James Clare, Tommy Ryan, Pat Hubert, Martin Dunne, Therese Crowe, Kieran Stanton and Par McCarthy (the glass-man).

I can only tell you that from what I could see it was a who's who of the community and I do know a lot of other people would have loved to be at the mass, but for the timing.

See you all next week.