By Paddy McCarthy
I just love being Out&About as you get to meet and greet lots of people that you might have not seen from one end of the year to the other and that is what I love about it.
I got to meet the coffee man Pete Scalley, who now has retired from his coffee round is now happy at home doing odd jobs around the house that he had put off for a long time, so I should think that his wife must be very happy.
The New York Saint Patrick’s Day Parade’s Grand Marshal and Aides Reception was held at Antun’s in Queens Village on Sunday and it was a super evening with over 700 attending the event. It was just a magnificent evening seeing Grand Marshal Maggie Timoney and all her Aides being presented at the reception with a wonderful welcome from all the patrons that greeted them all.
It was great to see that Martin Dunne got the recognition he deserves for Sixty Years as a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Volunteer and Cathedral Committee and formation committee. Martin is also a past President of the Irish Business Organization and let me tell yea that there is no stopping him now as he has lots more to do for the Irish community, good on yea Martin well deserved.
The Aide at Large was the one and only Treasa Goodwin Smyth who is a woman with all the hats, and I do mean that a very nice way. She is the wife of the famous Tommy Smyth who is a sports personality on television and radio as she is herself is the host with her own radio show ‘Ireland Calls’ that is a favorite for all the Irish and Irish American listeners in the Tri-State, now where would yea get it, two celebrities under the same roof? I think that’s brilliant, so keep it going.
I was invited by the Grand Council of the Emerald Society as the invite came from Brian Sharkey and I sat with Noelle Clancy, the window artist and hairdresser plus a lot of NYPD personnel that made the event very enjoyable. It was nice to meet Brian McCabe who is what we call a great Irishman who is always there to help out the Irish community and help save the Irish Historical Society’s building, well done Brian.
I also got to chat with IBO President Paul Finnegan from Galway City who is a total professional heading up this great organization that really encourages people in the right direction for employment, good on yea Paul.
There were so many people that I wanted to say hello to as I tried to get around, only if I did, I’d be still there as there were so many.
I did get to talk to few like the man himself Hilary Beirne, the Chairman of the Parade who was very busy making sure the evening flowed along properly right though to the end. This event is one of the most enjoyable that is ever held for the Irish and Irish American community to honor the man himself Saint Patrick, as everyone of the guests that’s attending comes out to show their support for this legendry Parade is at this event annually.
I have to congratulate all the volunteers who give their time to make it a great success and it always is, so now I will see you all at the Parade!
I have to acknowledge this next man as he is from my home county Cork all right, I keep bringing it up all the time and I also love all the counties and you all know that as well, right? So here we go. The Annual Lord Mayor led delegation will travel to the United States at the end of February 2024. As part of this visit, Lord Mayor Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, Chief Executive Ann Doherty and Director of Corporate Affairs and International Relations Paul Moynihan, will first travel to New York before journeying on to San Francisco to celebrate the 40th Twinning Anniversary between the two cities.
During their time in New York, the Lord Mayor will travel to Ellis Island in order to commemorate Cork native Annie Moore who, at the age of 17, became the first immigrant to the United States to pass through federal immigrant inspection at the Ellis Island station in New York Harbor in 1892.
I am so much looking forward to meeting him at the County Cork BP&P Association’s 139th Annual Saint Patrick’s Dinner Dance which will be held this Saturday at Antun’s (Springfield Blvd in Queens Village).
My friend Dan Dennehy sent me in this information on a very successful event, so here we go.
The Hudson Valley Irish Fest Fundraiser, featuring the Daisy Jopling Band and The Narrowbacks, will be held on Sunday, March 10 from 7 pm to 9 pm. Tickets are available from paramounthudsonvalley.com/events/irish-fest-fundraiser-with-the-daisy-jopling-band-and-the-narrowbacks.
Violinist Daisy Jopling has toured the world performing solo in iconic venues, including the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Lincoln Center, and Royal Albert Hall in London at the age of 14. Wielding a nearly 250-year-old Italian-crafted violin, London-born virtuoso Daisy has nine albums, two with BMG RCA Victor.
Daisy’s deep love of Irish music springs from tunes and artists who influenced her skills from childhood during her family’s many visits to their oceanside home in Kerry, Ireland. On March 10, Daisy and her band will feature local young talent, including the Peekskill City Singers, directed by Larry Del Casale, and Ovation Strings, directed by Susan Feldman.
The breathtaking and historic Paramount Hudson Valley stage will also light up with Irish bagpipes, talented young Clan na hÉireann Irish Dancers, directed by Katie Roper Izzo, and other special guests. An after-party will be hosted by sponsors Slainte Bar & Restaurant, with live music.
Fellow headliners and festival favorite The Narrowbacks proudly declare being Bronx-born, Irish Always! Relix Magazine says: “The Narrowbacks nod to the collective Irish heritage of their members, crafting tunes that are well-informed by traditional Irish music, but with a punk edge—like Dropkick Murphy’s songs with less aggression, better vocals and more of a singer-songwriter air about them; maintain that driving shuffle, allowing the band’s lyrics to shine through a bit more—telling stories of New York City, love, loss and, of course, whiskey.”
The concert brings two Peekskill community-based, not-for-profit cultural organizations, the Hudson Valley Irish Fest Inc. and The Daisy Jopling Music Mentorship Foundation, to celebrate the rich Irish-American heritage in the Hudson Valley.
The Daisy Jopling Music Mentorship Foundation brings the power of world-class music-making into community performances, transforming thousands of children’s lives. The Foundation is a living, breathing force in the lives of young artists throughout the year to bring inspiration, education, and monetary support to youth of every age and skill level.
This year, the foundation will serve more than 3,000 students with free music lessons, music mentorships, and free music performances. For more information or to become a sponsor contact office@daisyjoplingfoundation.org.
Now here we have again one of the big Saint Patrick’s Day parades that is held on Long Island’s New Hyde Park. It’s is going to be a huge parade with a brilliantly chosen Grand Marshal, the famous radio personality the one and only Tony Jackson. His Master of Ceremonies work has taken him near and far, from the streets of Long Island’s St. Patrick’s Parades to the world’s greatest stage, Carnegie Hall and 30 years hosting the Gertrude Byrne All-Star Irish Cruises to the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Alaska.
Tony and his wife Maureen will say “we came to a great America and brought with us the faith and values our hard-working Irish parents instilled in us”.
Tony has received numerous awards and citations for his life’s work, dedicated to the promotion of good will and Irish culture.
Tony and his wife Maureen have resided in New Hyde Park for fifty years. Tony emigrated to America in 1964 from his native Cavan town.
He met his future wife Maureen O’Neill from County Galway at an Irish dance -“where else”? They were married in June 1965.
In April 1965, he was drafted into the US Army. He served two years active duty until his separation with the Rank of Specialist 5 (Spec 5) in 1967, Tony’s Honorable Discharge would follow in 1971.
At that time, he returned to New York and worked for the Florsheim Shoe Company as a store manager. Tony resigned to pursue his own business in Queens. In later years, he worked in the restaurant industry with Tir Na Nog in New York.
He has served in many organizations over the years. To name a few: the AOH in Nassau County and Past National Coordinator of the Freedom for All Ireland Committee, AOH. He was Treasurer for the New York Padraig Pearse Commemoration Committee in 1978/1979.
Tony was a founding member of Nassau County’s American Irish Congress, The Irish National Caucus and the original Mineola Irish Monument.
He is a member and past president of the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens and is a lifetime honorary member of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.
Tony’s work in broadcasting, first at WBAU and then over 30 years at Radio Hofstra University has afforded him the opportunity to promote and help many causes including Project Children where he and his wife Maureen hosted families from Northern Ireland and helped raise funds.
Now isn’t that a nice introduction to this man Tony Jackson who again is a pillar in the Irish Community, how I love this job.
Here is a very important fundraiser that again needs you support as you can see in the advert in this digital edition of The Irish Examiner USA.
A fundraising benefit to defray medical costs for Jimmy Chambers will be held on Sunday, March 3rd at Katie’s Cottage (521 Central Park Avenue in Yonkers) from 12 noon until late. The event will feature live music, a silent auction, 50/50s, raffles and gift baskets.
“Jimmy had a serious fall which has left him paralyzed. He is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation in Helen Hayes Rehab Center for a minimum of 18 months, which is necessary if he is to regain any mobility. He has an extremely long, hard road ahead for himself and his family and your support will very much be appreciated.”
That’s it for this week, see you all again next week when I am Out&About again with a little bit of gossip.