By Paddy McCarthy
Well, well, well, what a week, but I’m not complaining as it was a good one for me as I was Out&About. I went to some fabulous events here in New York and the first one held by The Grand Council of Emeralds Societies at the historic “Fighting 69th” Regiment Armory that has the Garryowen Club inside at its location at 68 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.
This was an excellent opportunity to connect with your fellow Emeralds in a historic location before the Armory closes at the end of March for a massive $125-million-dollar renovation project that will take 4-5 years to complete.
There were so many friends and guests of The Grand Council United Emerald Societies that I got to meet like Martin Bellew (President), Peter Whalen (Chairman), Brian Sharkey, James O’Leary, Raymond O’Shea, Noelle Clancy and many more.
It was a fabulous get-together. This was all thanks to a great friend of The Irish Examiner USA and I thank Brian Sharkey for the invite.
The Emerald Societies have a couple of more events coming up that should interest you, starting at Antun’s, with the NYCD Emerald Society’s 68th Annual Dinner and the FDNY Emerald Society’s 67th Annual Dinner kicking off on Friday, November 3 and the Suffolk County VFF Emerald Society at the Central Islip Fire Department HQ on Friday, November 11.
The Grand Council of United Emerald Societies Incorporated also invites you to attend their first annual Cigar Night on Monday, October 30 at Vetro Restaurant and Lounge by Russos on the Bay (164-49 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach), from 7 pm to 11 pm. A portion of the night’s proceeds will support the Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment.
I was also at The Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue at Central Park South for the Irish Chamber of Commerce USA’s Annual Dinner. It was another brilliant night with award recipients including Michael J. Dowling, John Matson and Basil Geoghegan who each received the Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Award.
It was great to see a lot of guests that I know and respect at the ICCUSA Celtic Ball at the Plaza Hotel including Maurice Buckley, co-founder and President and CEO of the Ireland Chamber of Commerce, Michael Dowling, Caroline Regan, Sean Claffey, George Heslin, Fiona Walsh, Ray and Patricia O’Shea, Noelle Clancy together with Brad Balfour and Grahame Curtis from our paper.
I got a request from Caroline Regan who would like to thank everyone on behalf of the “FLOCK” event that happened the week before including Eddie Dowling of The Padded Wagon and Rory McCreesh from Duce Construction who sponsored the open bar on the night. They are always helping the Irish in New York City and she said “thanks a million again”.
Last week we told you all about the Origin Theatre’s Annual Gala so here I am giving you another reminder. Origin Theatre Company and its Board of Directors will honor several esteemed guests at its annual gala in New York City on Monday, October 30th, at Manhattan Penthouse, artistic director Michael Mellamphy has announced. Consul General Helena Nolan, engineer Sami Dahdouh, and actor Roger Clark will be honored for their commitment to the arts.
The event will see patrons from New York’s theater community attend in support of Origin Theatre, which has provided Irish playwrights with access to the United States theater industry for more than twenty years.
The gala will begin at 6:30 pm with an initial cocktail hour, which is then followed by dinner, and the awards ceremony.
Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Linus Wyrsch Trio, Leslie DiNicola “Elle Dit”, and Clare O’Malley. Tickets begin at $300. Ticketing details and further information on sponsorship opportunities for Origin’s annual Gala dinner can be found at www.origintheatre.org. Now I’ve told you so and let me tell you, this an event well worth supporting.
I just heard the sad news this morning that Brian O’Donovan died last night. He had a peaceful death at home surrounded by his family. He had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last year.
Our condolences go out to his wife, Lindsay, and his children, Aoife, Ciarán, Aidan, and Nuala as well as his brothers and sisters in Ireland.
Brian’s radio show, A Celtic Sojourn on WGBH Boston, was the most popular folk music program in New England and beyond. With his Christmas Celtic Concert Series, St. Patrick’s Day concerts, and the Back Room at the Burren series, he brought the top tier of Celtic musicians to audiences in the Boston area.
His deep love and knowledge of the music, both traditional and contemporary, was evident in all his presentations.
His Christmas Celtic concert series quickly became a holiday institution in the Boston Area. Renowned for the high standard of musical guests, it also featured his wife, Lindsay and often his daughters, Aoife and Nuala, all excellent singers and musicians.
Brian’s loss as a radio presenter and impresario is incalculable. His energy and enthusiasm are irreplaceable. His friendship will be sorely missed by all who knew him, especially the musicians.
I knew Brian very well as we met and spoke to him on a lot of occasions and we both come from Cork, RIP.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Out&About and I’ll see you all again next week.