I was invited to Andy Cooney’s Annual Christmas Party and what a blast myself and Patricia had. Andy lives on Long Island and plays with his band all over the world, and on cruises that take him to all parts of the Pacific Atlantic Oceans. I have to tell you all this first as he is one of the hardest workers in show business that I have known since I emigrated to the USA.
The greatest pleasure I got at the party was to meet Andy’s dad Joe and his lovely wife Claire, as you will see in the picture on this page. This man, let me tell yea, is full of very exciting information on the music scene going back some years in New York and he likes a pint of Guinness, just like myself.
Getting back to the party, Andy and his lovely wife Susanna and their two adult children, Ryan and Shannon, were great hosts and the life of the party. The musicians that played with Andy who was on piano were none other than Fiddlers Tommy Mulvihill and Sean Quinn with John Nolan on the Box. They were also joined with tenor Michael Crouse who is Andy’s vocal coach, as if he needs it? Naw I don’t think so! From the New York Tenors was the ever so popular Christopher Macchio; now where would yea get it. It was the highlight of the whole Christmas Holidays and boy was there a lot of food!
It’s all happening now already, as it was just announced who the Aides to the 259th New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal James Callahan are. They will be introduced on Sunday February 23 at Antun’s (96-43 Springfield Boulevard in Queens Village) at 3pm.
It’s looking already like it’s going to be a great day, I just can’t wait.
The United Irish Counties 116th Annual Dinner Dance will be held on Friday, January 31 at Antun’s. The deluxe cocktail hour begins at 7:30 pm with dinner and dancing from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am. Music will be by the Guss Hayes Band. Tickets are again $100. Eileen Flannelly Mackell is their Gael of the Year and the Rose Cosgrove Distinguished Service Award is awarded to Martin P. Dunne.
A native New Yorker with roots in Counties Mayo and Limerick, Eileen Flannelly Mackell is Vice President of the Container Royalty Central Collection Fund (CRCCF) of the International Longshoreman Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).
Eileen previously served under Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City of New York as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Records and Information Services.
In addition to being a proud member of the Mayo Society of New York and the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration Committee, Eileen currently serves as President of the Irish Institute of New York. Eileen is only the second woman to be awarded ‘Gael of the Year’ by the UICANY.
Martin P. Dunne, a native of Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary, is a longtime delegate to the UICANY from the County Tipperary N&B Association of New York, where he served as President for two terms in 1979-1980 and 2008-2009.
An active member of the Irish American community, Martin is also involved with the AOH New York County as well as the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. An avid golfer, Martin is a member of The Links at Union Vale as well as serving as President of the Emerald Golf Society of New York.
See you all again next week and, in case you did not see my message in the last issue, Happy New Year to all our readers, supporters and sponsors. Thank you all so much!