By Paddy McCarthy
I was quite busy last week as I was Out&About with two back to back dinners. No, I am not complaining as I have to tell you that I love it when I can go to these events as I see a lot of people I do not get to see very often. On Wednesday I was a guest of Brian Sharkey for The Suffolk County Police Officers Emerald Society dinner that was held at the East Wind Caterers in Middle Island, Long Island. It was their annual Saint Patrick’s Day dinner and dance and was just spectacular with two great honorees, Michael A. Crowley and Brendan O’Hara.
First up was “Irishman of the Year” Detective Lieutenant Michael A. Murphy and a well deserved honor it was too. Mike, as he is commonly known, has roots that come from County Cork on his father’s side and Limerick and Roscommon on his mother’s side. Mike’s parents Joseph and Winnie settled in Manhattan to raise the family on the west side called the “Irish Waterfront”. Mike’s dad Joseph was a NYC Bus Driver and his mom Winnie was a stay-at-home mom. As Mike would say, “We didn’t have much but we had enough.” Well said Mike. He is a member of the Massapequa Division 15 AOH, past member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Corkman’s Association. He has also served on the 1916 Suffolk County Memorial Committee and Project Children charity along with another great man Denis Mulcahy. Wow I have to hand it to the “Irishman of the Year”, you are a true Irishman for all you have been doing to support the Irish community.
I also have to congratulate Brendan O’Hara, the 2023 Tom Finn Memorial Service Recipient. It is a well-deserved honor to a dedicated conscientious member of the Emerald Society.
The event was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a true sense of brotherhood as members of the Suffolk County Police Officers Emerald Society gathered to honor their proud Irish heritage and look toward the future with hope and excitement. Yes, and I was there just to make sure everybody was having a good time and thanks again to Brian Sharkey for inviting me, now how could I say no, ha ha. We here at The Irish Examiner USA would like to congratulate both honorees for all the great work they have been doing, well done!
Am I having fun? You bet I am as the next evening I was at was the Department of Sanitation Emerald Society’s 85th Anniversary Dinner Dance. The man who welcomed us all was none other than Sean M. Neal, President of the DSNY Emerald Society. The DSNY Emerald Society celebrated its 85th-anniversary dinner at Leonard’s of Great Neck last Friday.
The DSNY Emerald Society has been a cornerstone of New York City’s Irish American community since its inception in 1938 as the Department of Sanitation City of New York Irish American Association (IAA) when William Nally Sr. became its first president. The IAA and the Emerald Society have been a driving force in promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Irish American community, and its members have worked tirelessly to support and improve the New York City Department of Sanitation.
Two outstanding members were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the Emerald Society and the Department of Sanitation. Joseph O’Keefe, Deputy Chief, was awarded the Emerald Society Person of the Year, while Garrett O’Reilly, the esteemed Chief of Department, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. These honors are a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence and service to the Emerald Society and the DSNY.
The society said: “We extend our congratulations to Joseph and Garrett for their well-deserved recognition. We’re honored to celebrate 85 years of dedication and service, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this incredible organization.”
To go to these events I’m very proud to see the turn out for all the Emerald Societys’ dinners and events all over the USA, it’s just fabulous and heart warming and makes me so proud of being Irish.
Look what’s coming up for The Irish Repertory Theatre… yes it’s their upcoming 2023 Gala, ‘All My Loving, The Lyrics of Paul McCartney’.
Directed and arranged by Charlotte Moore, with a full orchestra and chorus under the direction of John Bell and introductions by Paul Muldoon, the Gala will be held from 7 pm on Monday June 12 at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) followed by dinner at Bryant Park Grill.
The gala will feature performances by Michael Cerveris, Melissa Errico, Kathryn Gallagher, Peter Gallagher, Amber Gray, Kylie Kuioka, Ciarán Sheehan and more!
For tickets visit www.irishrep.org/gala.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About again.