Out & About

Tickets are now available online at highlineballroom.com.

We were at the Irish Consulate last week for a reception for Ray O'Hanlon of the Irish Echo newspaper who was launching his new book 'The South Lawn Plot' (we'll have a full review in next week's paper).

He also appeared on the Adrian Flannelly Show  (WNYE 91.5FM - National Public Radio - HD1: 9am-10am).

For those that don't know him, Ray is editor of The Irish Echo, the USA's oldest Irish American newspaper.

For more than thirty years, he has reported from three continents and has appeared on "CBS' 60 Minutes,"  "ABC World New Tonight" and "PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."

He is a frequent contributor to  media reporting on Ireland, Irish American affairs  and Anglo-Irish relations.

His earlier book: The New Irish Americans  was the recipient of a Washington Irving Book Award.

Well all I can say is good on you Ray and I hope it's a best-seller.

When you read this column I will be back from Albany as I went there on Monday for a dinner supporting the Irish Heritage Museum which should be opening very soon; I will tell you about it next week.

Did you book a spot for the Saint Patrick's Day Gala Ball yet? It is happening next Tuesday (March 15th) at 6.30pm at Pier 60 in Chelsea Piers!

If not then you should definitely hurry up as, again, it is going to be the party of the year and I am told that they will have Gucci fireworks as well; looks like it's going to be spectacular!

For reservations or for more information contact the Gala Office at (212) 213-1166 or email events@carlacapone.com.

You can also reserve online at the Parade website at nycstpatricksparade.org.

The Pogues, DropKick Murphy, Flogging Molly, Celtic Woman, The High Kings, Tipperary Knights, Cherish The Ladies, The Cunningham Brothers, Andy Cooney, Ronan Tynan, Julie Feeney, Black 47, Joe Hurley, The Saw Doctors, The Craic Fest, Damien Dempsey, Riverdance, Michael Flatley and his dancers, Darral Carr, Niall O'Leary, Emma Kate Tobia, Greg Harrington, The Irish Repertory Theatre (Molly Sweeney) and lots more believe me are all playing over the Saint Patrick's week!

Now have you ever seen so much talent in your life? And all of it's playing in New York!

Siobhan Dennehy of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center has reminded me that they'll be holding their 18th Annual Robert Briscoe Awards this month.

The 2011 Honorees are none other than The Honorable Eric Schneiderman, New York State Attorney General and Marc Abbott,  Esquire, Senior Partner with Abbott, Reiss & Allen, PC.

The Award ceremony will be held on Monday, March 14th from 6-8pm at the 21 Club (at 21 West 52nd Street). Tickets are $125. Call (718) 478-5502, ext. 211 for reservations.

I just heard a little gossip that Paul Hurley is the new owner of Kennedy's on 57th Street... Now I only just got the news and if it's true you could not have a better man than him to own it and I am sure Mike Glynn will be part of it. I will keep you posted. Finally, don't forget that The Emerald Isle Immigration Center is hosting a Tax Information Seminar at their locations as we march to the climax of "Tax Season" See you all next week...