Out & About

Well it's nearly here; yes the Big Day and we all know what that is: Saint Patrick's Day and where else would you want to be? Only in New York City for the greatest parade in the World.

Ah, it was well worth the wait and it's on Saturday this year would you believe, so get on your marching shoes on and here we go all the way from 44th Street on Fifth Avenue marching up to 78th Street.

It used to be 86th Street but the Mayor got too tired so he changed it last year.

Now what a great Grand Marshal we have this year with Francis X Comerford from the best network in North America, NBC.

Yes that is also the station that the New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade will be televised on, starting at 11am in the morning.

Now hear this: it is official, The 2012 New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade can now be watched on mobile devices across the world, Parade Secretary Hilary Beirne, announced yesterday.

On March 17th, Parade viewers will have the ability to watch the greatest Parade in the world live from Fifth Avenue, New York City on their mobile devices by going to NBCNewYork.com.

Another access point will be the Parade's official website NYCStPatricksParade.Org; viewers can then click on the web stream link to access the live coverage at NBC.

"We are delighted to inform everyone, that NBC have created a special media player on the Parade's mini web site at WNBCNewYork.Com which will accommodate this huge leap in technology," he said.

"This will be the fifth time we are web streaming the Parade live from Fifth Avenue and we are extremely happy our friends and family in Ireland and across the world now have another access point to watch us, as we show out Irish pride on Fifth Avenue.

"This is a huge leap forward in technology for the Parade; it brings us not into the 21st Century, but into the 22nd Century," he continued.

"None of this would be possible without the cooperation of WNBC and we thank them for their assistance," said Parade Chairman John Dunleavy.

"This advance in Parade communications with the cooperation of WNBC has turned the largest Parade in the World into a true worldwide event that injects hundreds of millions of dollars into the New York City economy this year."

Over the years, the Parade has held onto the traditions of the past, traditions which have helped the parade to be the greatest celebration of Irish pride in the world today.

The Parade honors St. Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland and the Archdiocese of New York; it is a celebration of the Faith of our Fathers, our Irish Heritage and Culture. WNBC will also broadcast live television coverage of the Parade on Saturday, March 17 which starts at 11am and finishes at 3pm.

The live broadcast is seen throughout the Tri-State area (NY, NJ and CT) and by millions across the world, thanks to the Internet.

The live broadcast will be co-hosted by Chris Cahill (Executive Director/Institute of American Irish Studies at Pace University), Tommy Smyth (ESPN television sports personality), Treasa Goodwin Smyth (host of the radio show "Ireland Calls" on WVOX 1460AM), Jane Hanson (co-host New York Live on WNBC) and Tom Llamas (anchor WNBC/Channel 4's News at 5) who will be stationed along the parade route to interview dignitaries, marchers and parade revelers.

The Parade has been held for the past 251 years on the streets of New York and is the world's oldest and largest celebration of Irish pride on St Patrick's Day.

There will be approximately 250,000 marchers and 2 to 3 million spectators lining Fifth Avenue throughout the six hour Parade.

The 2012 Parade will honor all American veterans and salute one in particular Michael G Murphy, a Navy Seal from Long Island who lost his life in Afghanistan.

The US Navy will commission a ship in his honor later this year in New York.

This year's Grand Marshal is media expert Francis X. Comerford, Chief Revenue Officer and President of Operations for NBC owned television stations.

He has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Parade across the world through the media of television and the web.

Indeed the Parade viewership has increased dramatically in recent years largely due to initiatives supported by him and NBC.

For additional information e-mail Hilary Beirne at: HBeirne@NYCStPatricksParade.Org or visit the parade website at NYCStPatricksParade.Org

Well, well, well, would you believe it? Jimmy Neary, yes the same Jimmy Neary who is the owner of Neary's Restaurant and Bar on 57th Street is celebrating his 45th year in business and guess what, it's on Saint Patrick's Day and all are invited.

Mary O'Connor from Cork, his long time waitress, I am sure will also be there to greet you as that is what Jimmy Neary has been doing for 45 years; ah, a true Irishman from Sligo.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Jimmy from all the staff here at The Irish Examiner newspaper and we hope you have a great celebration with all your friends from all over the world.

I am sure Jeff Cleary, all the way down from Albany, will attend; now that should be some party I would say.

On Monday, March 19 at 8pm Ireland's Number 1 Rebel band, The Druids will perform at the Quiet Man Public House at 15 North Division Street in Downtown Peekskill.

Tickets at the door are $20 and include admission and a buffet of the Quiet Man's fine fare.

The proceeds will benefit the 4th Annual Hudson Valley Irish Fest to be held on Saturday, September 22 on the banks of the Hudson at Peekskill Riverfront Green Park.

Patrick McGowan, CEO and President of McGowan Builders is a man we should all be proud of as he built his company from the ground up and is a great inspiration for us all.

The reason I am saying all this is I am publicly going to invite him to be The Irish Examiner newspaper Man of the Year... now what do you think?

The Porterhouse at Fraunces Tavern (54 Pearl Street), is celebrating St Patrick's week with an exhibition titled 'Wealth in Society' which was opened by Vice Consul Fiona McCabe of the Irish Consulate and brought an Irish contingency to the Wall Street District and Fraunces Tavern.

In the Month of celebration of St Patrick's Day the exhibition received a lot of support from Irish American Associations, a mark of the valuable continued Irish solidarity, which enables so many from Ireland to partake in our extended Irish community abroad.

It's all happening all over the City for the great Saint Patrick's Day celebrations with Adrian Flannelly doing a special marathon Adrian Flannelly Irish Show that will feature lots of guests and lots of entertainment.

The bars and restaurants all over the city I am sure will be packed to the rafters... how am I going to get in? We'll see...

Des O'Brien and his partner Pat Burke will have their hands full going from pub to pub: from Langan's on 47th Street to the Pig'N'Whistles on 36th Street, 47th Street and 48th Street, O'Brien's on 46th Street and, of course, a stop at Eamonn's on 45th Street and P.J. Moran's on 48th. Oh!

And don't forget Nevada Smiths at Webster Hall (on 11th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues) which will be open all day on Saint Patrick's Day. There'll be lots of fun and great music and for those rugby buffs, they'll be showing the England vs. Ireland game at 1pm, so come on down.

One of the best parties in the city is at Dermot Hogan's office Global Excess Partners and yes, I will be there to. Somebody has to do it right?

I better stop or my editor will start shouting at me to finish. Have a great Saint Patrick's Day from all of us here at The Irish Examiner newspaper!

See you all next week...