Out & About

As always, I got a lot of e-mails and phone calls complaining and asking what happened.

I'll try my best not to miss it again for any reason; is that all right? In any case, please accept my apologies.

The 1st Irish Festival 2011 and The Origin Theatre Company have just wound up their Annual Awards Ceremony that was held at Papillon Bistro and Bar (22 East 54th Street) with a full house

As always thanks to Artistic Director George Heslin it was a great success.

We lost a great salesman and one of the nicest people you could meet in the Irish restaurant and bar trade in New York with the passing of Louie Posmentur who was well known all over town. May he rest in peace. Our condolence go out to his family and friends.

Yes, I was at the British Consul-General's Residence last Wednesday for the closing reception for the Cinemagic USA Festival hosted by Liam Neeson, The British Consulate, and the Northern Ireland Bureau after getting an invite from Lorraine Turner, head of the Northern Ireland Bureau here in New York. 

Cinemagic is an award winning, Northern Ireland-based film festival whose mission is to educate, motivate and inspire young people throughout the world through the medium of film and all forms of moving image.

Since its founding in 1989 in Belfast, Cinemagic has touched the lives of over 500,000 young people along the way and Liam Neeson has been very instrumental in its success... good on yea Liam and you are also one of the most famous actors to ever come out of Ireland.

I have to say the night had a nice added touch with Kieran McLoughlin, President and CEO of The American Ireland Worldwide Funds giving a top class introduction as he always does with that huge smile he always has.

The place was packed with a lot of people from the Irish community that were easy recognised: Attracta Lyndon, Adrian Flannelly, Aine Sheridan and of course, the  Consul General of Ireland Noel Kilkenny and his wife Hanora O'Dea Kilkenny along with the Director of the Nothern Ireland Bureau Norman Houston, Maurice Landers, Gwen Orel, George Heslin, John Duddy, Anita Daly, the cast of Reflections and lots more.

I didn't see George Clooney at the event though - he must have been hanging out with Donna O'Connor the actress from A Night With George which got rave reviews.

Would you believe it? The two All Ireland Cups were in New York last week, and guess what, they were in Kennedy's on 57th Street in Manhattan which has two good Irishmen as owners: Mike Glynn from Galway and Paul Hurley from Dublin.

The two Cups - the McCarthy and the Sam Maguire were on display for everyone to hold, headed up by our own Luke Waters from Dublin whose a Bronx Homicide Detective in the New York Police Department.

I have to admit I was invited and I know it was a great night as I was told, but the trains leaving from Penn Station were all held up so I got a lift from the coffee man himself Pete Scalley.

I know it was a long night though; I'll definitely make it next time.

The Irish Chamber Orchestra are coming to town on Monday October 31 and they'll be performing at 8pm in the Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center.

You can buy tickets by calling (212) 721-6500 or from lincolncenter.org. Tickets are $60, $45 and $25.

Jimmy Crowley is an Irish traditional folk singer and musician from fair Cork City and he was in New York City for a couple of days promoting his new CD 'The Morning Star,' and let me tell you, it's fabulous!

I've known Jimmy a very long time, from when I was in the music business myself in Cork, and I can assure you that this man is legendary for his traditional music and for his unique  singing voice especially when he does The Boys of Fair Hill; oh, I love it so much.

Irish Americans for Crowley want to invite you for a wonderful evening of food, drink and music to benefit Congressman Joe Crowley - a member of the Committee on Ways and Means and Chairman of the Queens County Democratic Party.

The event, being held at 6pm on Monday October 17 in the Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel (141 East 44th Street at Lexington Avenue) will featuring a special performance by Eileen Ivers.

Everyone in the Irish community is well aware of what Joe has done for the cause of Ireland and the Irish.   

We owe Joe a great turn out for this very special night. 

There are still opportunities for chairs, hosts and sponsors. Tickets start at just $250. 

If you have ever been to one of Joe's events, you know this will be a great affair. Time is short, so spread the word! 

We're looking forward to seeing everyone on the 17th! You can RSVP to  Marty Glennon at  (631) 777-6903 or email  mglennon@abgllaw.com.

Oh, those Crowleys are everywhere... just kidding.

Niall O'Leary has started an Irish Culture Night at Paddy Reilly's Music Bar (2nd Avenue and 29th Street).

The Irish Music and Irish Dance Jam will be held every Thursday from 10.30pm-1am and will feature live Irish music by Niall O'Leary and friends on accordion, spoons, and keyboards.

The Special Guest Musician is fiddler Caitlin Warbelow! Also. Niall will be leading the Dance Jam...

All musicians, singers, dancers, listeners and lookers of all ages are welcome.

This week's extra special guest is Dan Lowery on the Flute. There's no cover charge!

Next week's special guest is fiddler Tony DeMarco who returns to Paddy Reilly's on a Thursday night to sit in the same seat he sat in for 25 years!

The Annual Northern Ireland Christmas Appeal Fundraiser  has been announced by the

The New York State Freedom for All Ireland Committee of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

This worthy event will be held on October 13 at Harbour Lights Restaurant located on Pier 17 of the South Street Seaport.

"The good will and outreach for the Christmas Appeal each year brings direct results to the people of the North," said New York State FFAI Chairman Dan Dennehy, "and helps Americans have a better understanding of the needs of the people of Northern Ireland."

Admission is included in a minimum donation of $50 to the annual appeal, and includes music and food. There will also be a cash bar.

There will be a number of speakers on the agenda who will address the struggle for a United Ireland, including:  Clara O'Reilly (Relatives For Justice), 2011 AOH Sean McBride Humanitarian Award Winner  Matt Morrison (Thar Saile),   Steve McCabe and General James Cullen (Brehon Law Society) and Sean Pender (AOH National FFAI Chair & NJ State President).

All monies donated that night will go to the AOH's annual Christmas Appeal, which has raised and distributed over $570,000 in direct aid to the people of Northern Ireland.

For more information about the event please contact the New York State FFAI Chairman Dan Dennehy at (914) 588-2710 or by email at ffai@nyaoh.com.

See you all next week...