Out & About

Mary Courtney, what can I say? Only that she is brilliant as an artist and is also a great friend.

I have listened to her new CD and let me tell you, go out and buy it, you will be blown away as her voice is perfect! Now how is that from a rock drummer?

Here is a little bit on Mary: she is a Kerry born native, who formed her band in 1982 in the Bronx. Over the years the band has recorded several albums, and has played on the local and US festival circuits.

The current line up are a stellar group of talented musicians, with influences that include The Bothy Band, Solas, Lunasa, and Christy Moore (just to name a few).

Their new live album, Alive & Kickin' is available now. Ah Mary, knock 'em dead. You deserve it.

Ardal O'Hanlon (from Father Ted) will headline the 3rd Annual Craic Comedy Festival on November 16 at 116 MacDougal in New York City.

Presented by Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, the CRAIC is mostly known for their year-round film and music events. However, they're reaching a higher ground with acclaimed comedian Ardal O'Hanlon.

The opening act is Irish American headliner Kevin Flynn (Comedy Central). Festival Producer Terence Mulligan commented, "We have been doing Irish film and music events successfully for 14 years now in New York City and the time is right to bring over a high profile act like Ardal who has a lot of fans here in New York!"

Special Guest MCs like Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) are also expected to pop in through the night.

The Fleadh Foundation is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization in New York City. Its honorary board members are Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Kevin Dillon, Denis Leary and Ed Burns to name a few.

Please contact Terence Mulligan on (917) 373-6735 for further information on the lineup and event details or visit Thecraicfest.com.

Judy Collins received the Eugene O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish American Writers & Artists Inc., last Monday, just a few blocks from O'Neill's Times Square birthplace, and one day before what would have been his birthday.

Collins was lauded by fellow folk music legends Pete Seeger and Tom Paxton, Mutual of America CEO Thomas Moran, writer/actor Malachy McCourt, singer Ashley Davis, emcee Larry Kirwan and IAW&A president, author TJ English.

On receiving the award, Collins spoke of how happy she was to have her name associated with the great Eugene O'Neill and agreed with Pete Seeger's assertion that whatever future we will have will be because of the arts.

Collins was also given a proclamation sent by New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn on behalf of the New York City Council.

The Eugene O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2009 to honor the accomplishments of a writer, actor, musician, or cultural institution that has sustained a body of work that best exemplifies the level of integrity maintained by O'Neill.

The inaugural recipient was Pulitzer-prize winning author William Kennedy. Other recipients have been actor Brian Dennehy and the co-founders of New York's Irish Repertory Theatre, Charlotte Moore and Ciarán O'Reilly.

The award, created by Tiffany & Co., was presented to Collins before to a full house at the Manhattan Club above Rosie O'Grady's in Times Square.

I can only tell you that it was one heck of an night and Larry Kirwan of Black 47 again stole the show... I could see he knows talent when he sees it, thanks Larry.

Look this came in to me last week and I was a bit late to put in in, so check it out and see what you think:

The DV 2014 Program: Diversity Immigrant Visa Program: Online registration for the DV-2014 Program began on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 12noon, and will conclude on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 12noon (EDT). You are eligible to file for the DV 2014 Lottery if you are a native of Ireland.

You can either be inside the US or outside at the time your application is registered. Filing for the DV 2014 lottery does not affect your current legal status, therefore you are permitted to file for the DV lottery if currently inside the US under a non-immigrant or immigrant visa.

You are also eligible to apply for the DV lottery if you are in Ireland and have filed a visa petition at the US consulate.

If your DV application is chosen, from the computer generated selection for the DV lottery (you will know from May 1, 2013) then you can proceed with filing for your green card application at either a US consulate or with US immigration if inside the States.

If you would like the Law offices of Caro Kinsella to file your DV application for DV 2014, they are offering a discounted rate of $149 to all their existing clients (their application fee will be increased to $200 from October 27 until November 3). (Note that this fee does not include the green card application if your DV application is approved).

You can contact them at Caro Kinsella Attorney & Counselor at Law, Law Offices of Caro Kinsella PA, 10 Fairway Drive, Suite 134V, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Phone (954) 304-2243 or fax (888) 312-9674.

I have to pass it on as it seems genuine and you can also check it out with your own lawyer; is that okay?

There's a big night coming this Friday (October 26) at The Astoria World Manor. The Emerald Isle Immigration Center are holding their Annual Dinner Dance honoring Larry Sullivan, Martina Lavin and the Honorable Jimmy Van Bramer.

For more information contact Sandra Boyle at (718) 478-5502, ext 211 or Lisa McGovern on (718) 324-3039, ext 102. You could also e-mail Info@eiic.org. This promises to be a great night.

Another great night was had by all last Wednesday (October 17th) at the Metropolitan Club on 60th Street in Manhattan where they held the 10th Annual New York Benefit Dinner for the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

The Honoree was Alan T. Ennis, President & CEO of Revlon. Again, what can I say? Only that the organization performed by the one and only Orla O'Malley was excellent, good on yea Orla.

The New York Irish Center (1040 Jackson Avenue in Queens) never seems to cease amazing me on what they can do.

Coming to the Center are some very good events that will suit everyone so give it a try!

For more information call (718) 482-1040 or just get on the #7 train from Grand Central and go just one stop and you're there.

The movie The Commitments was back at the center by popular demand last Friday night. I'm so sorry I missed it since it is a great movie.

See you all next week...