Out & About

What a day we had at the Long Beach AOH Irish Day Parade and Festival last Saturday and boy did they wear green, everybody was and believe me it was a fabulous day.

The Parade stepped off at Washington Blvd. and W. Beech St. at 12 noon, with the festival running all day along Beech Street in the West End through 5:30pm; you would have been very proud to be Irish at an event like this.

The man himself made his presence known, that's right Adrian Flannelly and his wife Aine Sheridan - as you can see that this parade brings out the best. I also saw Congressman Peter King, Brian Murphy of Aer Lingus, who had recently retired and of course Mister AOH Division 14 himself, Tim Myles who introduced me to a lot of people along the parade route including John Sharkey and his lovely wife Helen.

We later went to the VIP Tent to meet their son Brian who was doing a great job in hosting the event.

I can only tell you that there was lots of music all over the place in all the establishments and they were all packed as I could see with one that we could not even get in. That was the Shine Bar (55 California Street, Long Beach; (516) 432-9248). It was completely full, so we stopped for a pint at the Saloon instead (1016 W. Beech St., Long Beach; (516) 432-9185) and, lo and behold, who was inside the counter? Only John O'Brien from Cork City and the place was packed outdoors and indoors with some great music played by our own Enda Keegan and Brian O'Neill who had the crowd dancing, clapping and singiing all day.

Now what a build up that was to the biggest parade coming up next March: The 250th New York City Saint Patricks Day Parade! I just can't wait!

I will say though that this parade in Long Beach was very well organized and to all those involved you should be proud and again congratulations to you all!

The Harvest Moon Ball at The Irish American Society (297 Willis Avenue Mineola; (516) 746-9392) was also held last Saturday, honoring Bridie and John Mahoney, May and Tom Deegan and John Dunleavy - the Chairman of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The ball was chaired by Margaret Jordan, Maureen McAree and the rest of the committee. I do have to apologize to their President Betty McLoughlin though. She had had invited me to attend but, as you can see from the above, I got held up and I do hope you all understand as it was a very long day.

This Thursday (October 7th) at 7pm Glucksman Ireland House NYU will be hosting Dr. Garret FitzGerald as he speaks about "Mammon and God: the Economy and the Church in Contemporary Ireland" Thursday, October 7th at 7pm at Glucksman Ireland House NYU

Dr. FitzGerald, former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland from 1981-82 and from 1982-87, will discuss the serious economic and social crises that Ireland is currently experiencing.

FitzGerald has been scathing of the Fianna Fáil-led coalition government since 1997 on the economy and the national finances.

In his Irish Times column he frequently criticizes the loss of competitiveness that has occurred and the inflation caused by the tax cuts and excessive public spending increases of the Celtic Tiger era.

When FitzGerald became Taoiseach, the Irish economy was in deep recession with high rates of unemployment and emigration.

A policy of fiscal rectitude had an impact on public spending and the public deficit but economic growth proved elusive for his Fine Gael-Labour coalition government.

During the 1987 electoral campaign, FitzGerald argued that the vicious cycle of negative growth, spiraling government debt and unemployment could be turned into a virtuous circle of growth, jobs and declining debt.

Dr. FitzGerald served as Chancellor of the National University of Ireland from 1987-2009.

His best-selling autobiography, 'All in a Life', was published in 1991. Other publications include 'Reflections on the Irish State: Ireland since Independence' (2003) and 'Ireland in the World: Further Reflections' (2005).

'Garret: Tales from the Political Front Line' will be published in December 2010.

This lecture was made possible by The Nissan Foundation and Glucksman Ireland House NYU asks you to please join them in their appreciation of this grant as a representative of the Foundation will be present to formally announce the award.

Admission is free to Members of Glucksman Ireland House and to all students or faculty with a valid NYU ID card. For non-members there's a $10 donation at the door. In order to ensure a seat at this event (or indeed any other), please RSVP to (212) 998-3950 (option 3) or email ireland.house@nyu.edu.

There are two shows that are happening at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street; (212) 727-2737).

First is the World Premiere of 'Banished Children of Eve' by Kelly Younger adapted from the novel by Peter Quinn and directed by Ciaran O'Reilly. This will run from October 13th until December 5th on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage.

Against the backdrop of the dangerous, sweltering Civil War summer of 1863, the Bowery explodes with racial tension and the City of New York rushes headlong toward the fatal July draft riots.

Moving to the music and rhythms of these dangerous times, a diverse band of characters is drawn together in a net of intrigue and violence.

The second presentation is 'St. Nicholas' by Conor McPherson. This production is directed by Alex Dmitriev and runs from October 15th until November 21st in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre.

A jaded and cynical Dublin drama critic becomes entwined with a coven of vampires. What is truth and what is reality?

The Irish Repertory Theatre is one of the hardest working theaters and should be well supported for what they do to bring you the very best in performances and it is with great pleasure we all say thanks.

The purpose of Failte 32 is to connect new arrivals to Irish networks in New York and the wider United States.

They also provide additional support through their strategic partnerships that can give job seekers an edge in finding employment.

Finally, they provide support to those seeking employment by asking the Irish community to post jobs on Failte32.com. In addition, prospective employees can do this themselves using the RendezVous353.com platform which has created a Failte32 minisite.

Jobs can be posted using the forums feature there.

The Failte 32 Committee can be contacted for all enquiries or information at the following email account: failte32@gmail.com

See you all next week.