Out & About

I have to thank George Heslin again for the invite to this great occasion; with the wealth of Irish talent coming from Ireland it's just mind boggling how the Origin Theatre Board put an array of talent from the best of Ireland's new playwrights alongside some of the most influential classical playwrights and brought them together for the four-week celebration that runs in 15 theatres across New York City from September 7th to October 4th.

For tickets and more information go to www.1stIrish.org and don't be left out.

All I can say is that the talent and the guests who turned up last Wednesday evening were outstanding and included the major sponsor Mutual of America, represented by Chairman, President and CEO Tom Moran and his lovely wife Joan.

Also there, and who I had not seen for a while, was Mave O'Malley, Lorraine Turner, Garrett Doyle, Sheila Lynott and her husband Colm Hourican, the lovely Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Kieran McLoughlin, Ciaran O'Reilly, Paul Finnegan and his wife Rosa, Charlotte Moore, Christine Kirshbaum and Bernard McMullan (the Publicity & Communication Executive from Tourism Ireland).

Of course I also got to have a chat with playwright Jimmy Kerr  of "Ardnaglass On The Air" which is playing at The Manhattan Theatre Source (177 MacDougal Street, between 8th Street and Waverly Place) from September 13th.

Hamm & Clov Stage Company present this new production of Kerr's exceedingly acclaimed and extremely hilarious Irish smash hit comedy " as part of the third annual 1st Irish Festival.

Staged by award-winning Irish actress/director/author, Geraldine Hughes, the comedy has previously enjoyed a sold-out Irish National Tour as part of the much-heralded Magners Big Tickle Comedy Festival.   

The reviews were unqualified raves. The American cast stars Mr. Kerr himself, Jo Kinsella and Jonathan Judge-Russo.

Tickets are $25 (Seniors/Students can get in for $20 at the door only). Call (866) 811-4111  or visit www.theatermania.com for more information.

As you can see I am giving a lot of coverage to the 1st Irish Festival which takes place in New York for the whole month of September; it is a very exciting time and we are so privileged to be part of it.

Talking about Paul Finnegan the Executive Director of the New York Irish Center (1040 Jackson Avenue, Queens - just one stop from Grand Central on the #7 train; (718)482-9090; www.nyirish.org), he sent me the schedule for upcoming events that might interest you. They run a Sunday Senior Activity Club (4pm-10pm, contact Joe Flannery on (646) 270-5698). On Mondays they hold Tin Whistle Classes for all ages and levels from 5:30pm-8:30pm (call Brendan Dolan on (917) 952-6045) and Irish Dancing classes, again for all ages and levels from 6pm-10pm (Niall O'Leary; (212) 726-1602).

On Tuesdays they provide Irish Language Classes. The adult class runs from 6:30pm-9:15pm (Maura Mulligan; (201) 869-6717) while that for children is from 4pm-6-pm (Elaine Ní Bhraonáin; (646) 258-1133.

On Wednesdays is their populat Seniors Lunch and Social Club from 11am-4pm All Seniors welcome! Just come! 

Line Dancing Classes are held on occasional Wednesdays from 7pm-10pm (Jane O'Brien; (212) 909-6776) while on Thursdays they have classes on Irish Music-Fiddle for all ages and levels, running from 6pm-9pm (Niall Mulligan; (631) 559-1409. 

The Friday Arts and Crafts Afternoon Club is open to seniors and runs from 1pm-5pm Again, all are welcome, just come! There's also the '25' Traditional Irish Card Game (on the last Friday of the month from 7pm-12am). Call Joe Flannery on (646) 270-5698.

Saturday's see Ceili and Set Dancing, on the fourth Saturday of the month from 7pm-11pm (Maureen Donachie; (845) 499-3703) and free computer classes for seniors from 9am to 1pm (James McHugh; (718) 482-0909).

So how about that huh?

Ok I did have some time to call into Tracks in Penn Station on the way home from the 1st Irish event and low and behold who was at the bar? None other than Larry Downes in the company of Rita O'Hara. We had a good chat along with some cocktails served by one of the best bartenders in New York: Liam White, who has his two brothers over and are training to be just like him... good on yea Liam.

On my Out and About I dropped in to Eamonn's (on 45th Street between Madison and 5th Avenue) and, who do you think was there? Just Pat Burke along with the man himself Eamonn Maher, now I wonder what they were cooking up... just checking... now that was a good combination wouldn't you think? Well after I joined them at least.

I have to tell you that the best lunch deal you can ever get is at the Galway Hooker (on 36th street between Madison and 5th Avenues) as you can have your choice of salad or soup with one of six entrees for only $9.00! Now where on earth would you get that and also be served at the bar by the lovely Brianna, so hurry on down; only in New York.

Talking of deal, with today's economy every penny counts. Well lo and behold, did I won an open bar for 50 people last Friday at the Public House (on 41st Street between Lexington and Third Avenues) Where else could you get a eal like that?

I'm so sorry I could not invite everyone as I wish I could, but Ann Cosgrove and Pat O'Connell turned up along with a lot of others.

Don't miss out on the New York's Saint Patrick's Parade Committee Golf Tournament which is being held on Friday, September 24th at Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx.

For more information call (917) 656-0674 or email gdoyle5@nyc.rr.com; they need your support and I encourage all your assistance in helping make this important occasion a successful one!

As you all should know by now, these events set the stage for one of the biggest Saint Patrick's Day Parade will be coming up next March when they celebrate its 250th anniversary... Yippee!

See you all next week.