Out & About

Did you see that coming? We were all over the television on Fox 5 last week with our sister magazine, Irish Connections which featured Greg Kelly on the cover! See, I told you we would be famous some day... oh, stop boasting, well somebody has to, right?

You couldn't buy the publicity no matter what as millions of people watch Good Day New York from 7am to 10am five mornings a week and Irish Connections Magazine got center stage, and so did one of our major sponsors Budweiser; not too bad huh?

Check us out at www.irishconnectionsmag.com and maybe you'll tell your friends to subscribe or send a gift, call (888) 355-6879 today! One year (4 Issues) is just $19.50 or you can get two years (8 Issues) only $39.

OK, let's move on and let me tell what I was doing out and about this week. I called in to Tracks in Penn Station to see Michael O'Brien and lo and behold there he was holding court with some customers. As you might know he is the master of all, I wonder who he got that from, was it Pat or Bruce, I must check that out.

Talking about Michael O'Brien the URTO  25th Annual Golf Outing is on  Monday, May 16 at Dunwoodie Golf Club and guess who they are honoring, yes himself:  Michael O'Brien, partner in Tracks Raw Bar & Grill as the URTO Member Golf Outing Honoree and Fergus Begley, On Premises Sales Manager in Manhattan for Heineken USA... is that his real job as he entertains people all over New York City and sings as well as Christy Moore. Tickets are priced at  $195 for members and their guests. This includes a full day of golf, continental breakfast, a barbecue lunch, cocktails and the awards dinner.

If you're feeling lucky you could also test your skills at their Hole-In-One Competition for a chance to win $25,000 cash.

Let me tell you that this is always one of the best golf outings and a really fun day believe me, so call the URTO. office at (212) 557-5200 or e-mail maureen@urandto.com for reservations.

The word is out, yes I know keep it quiet... Paul Hurley will be re-opening Kennedy's Restaurant in Midtown West (327 West 57th Street). I will keep you posted on what is happening.

Adrian Flannelly had the lads from Cavan on his show on last Saturday, including  Cavan County Council Chairman Dessie Boylan, Eoin Doyle and Deputy Joe O'Reilly  to announce the return of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2011,  the biggest festival in Ireland which runs from August 13th to 22nd.

I wonder, is Steve Duggan the owner of Paddy Reilly's music bar going over for the festival? Talking about Paddy Reilly's they just celebrated their 25th Anniversary so congratulations to you Steve as this is the only Guinness pub; yes, nothing but Guinness served.

On my rounds I called into Eamonn's Bar and Grill on 45th Street and holding court again at the counter was none other than the men thmselves: Des O'Brien, Pat Burke and yes, Eamonn Maher.

Now as I have often said before, what were they planning? I did hear rumors that something is happening soon.

Getting back to Paul Hurley I also heard that O'Casey's on 41st Street will be having a pop-up restaurant out in front. That means you can now dine at the front of the restaurant as they will have tables and chairs set out there.

I am sure Karl, Damion and Hugh will be happy with that as business in the summer is going to be buzzing, how do they do it?

Thank you Nick! That is Nicholas Cohen one of the owners and partners of Stitch and Houndstooth pubs over on 8th Avenue for thanking The Irish Examiner newspaper for mentioning the passing of Clare Doran the wife of the late Eamonn Doran who was one of the most famous bar owners in New York City and in Dublin, and why not as they were the pillar of the Irish Community here in New York before we had the Immigration Center when we all needed help.

Now thanks to the Emerald Isle Immigration Centers both in the Bronx and in Queens (who believe me do a great job in providing information) led by their Executive Director, Queens Siobhan Dennehy and Lisa McGovern  the Bronx Office Manager. To all the staff and volunteers who help, thanks again.

To contact the Bronx office call (718) 324-3039 and for the Queens office, (718)478-5502.

The  Irish Business Organization has a host of events coming up in April and May. Again, this is one great organization to join!

First you have an IBO Evening Networking Event on Wednesday April 13th at 6.30pm at O'Lunney's Times Square Restaurant (145 West 45th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues). The featured speaker is Diarmuid Hogan, Chief Executive for Global Excess Partners, LLP.

Born and educated in Dublin and at Columbia University Graduate School of Business in New York, Diarmuid Hogan has made the US his home and is president and CEO of insurance/investment firm Global Excess Partners. Hogan's other business interests include being a partner in DMH Partners and vice-chairman of Ambridge Partners LLC.

He is a director of Boys Hope Girls Hope, an organization that provides long-term solutions to the critical needs of today's promising youth who find themselves at risk in intolerable family or community settings.

Diarmuid and his partners own the long-running and highly successful television show Out of Ireland which is the largest Irish-American media outlet in the US.

Hogan was presented with the Ellis Island Medal of Honour in 2004, an award recognising distinguished Americans who have made significant contributions to the nations heritage, sanctioned by the US Congress. 

Complimentary food will be served at this event and there will be a full (cash) bar. 

Members and first-time guests will not have to pay a cover charge. All others will be asked for a $20 donation at the door. It's worth it though since they're promising a great night of business networking.

If you're interested, RSVP to reserve your place now! For more information about the IBO or any of their events, contact them any of the following:  The Irish Business Organization of New York, Inc.  FDR Station, P.O. Box 6425  New York, NY 10150-1901;  (212) 750-8118; irishbusinessorganization@gmail.com; www.ibo-ny.com.

Next up is the IBO Business Networking Breakfast on Tuesday April 26th (beginning at 8am) featuring Robert Ballagh. The IBO Golf Classic will be held on Thursday May 5th and Team IBO will be taking part in the Concern Spring Run/Walk on Saturday April 9th. Join IBO Team Captain John Duddy for that fun charity event! There are still some spots available on Team IBO!

Now do I get paid for this? Of course not but I always like to support something that is very good. I am sure Niall and Sheila will like that.

See you all next week...