By Paddy McCarthy
This week McCarthy’s Pub and Restaurant celebrated their two year anniversary of opening their doors at 144 West 46th Street, just off Times Square in New York City. I want to give them praise as in this day and age it’s a very tough time in business and the good news is they are doing great, and as I said in my column last week, they have a great working staff and that also counts believe me it does as I should know. Well done to Jimmy Lyons and Kieran Green (who are also owners of Gossip Bar and Restaurant at 733 9th Avenue), two very good Irishmen who followed their dream here in New York City.
Here is an event that came to me and is well worth supporting and guess what, I will be Out&About so I’ll be there to support it and hopefully so will you. It is also going to be a great evening that I know you will like a lot and meet new friends.
It’s the annual “Taste of Ireland” event and it’s less than a couple of days away on Monday, April 29 from 7 pm to 10 pm at the Hofstra University Club/David Mack Hall North Campus on Long Island.
As one of the proud sponsors of the Nassau County Games for the Physically Challenged and along with the generous support of other organizations in the Irish-American community, the Friendly Sons have used proceeds from the Taste of Ireland event to help support the young athletes participating in the Games.
This year The Friendly Sons are proud to honor Past Friendly Sons President, Dermot F. Kelly. Please consider supporting this great cause by purchasing event tickets, donating trays of hot food, and/or donating dinner/lunch/gift certificates, baskets and other raffle prizes, and silent auction-type items.
Tickets to the event are $60 and include food, beer, wine and soda, with live Irish music by Jimmy Walsh and the Black Velvet Band. They will also be joined by the Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band. For more information or to purchase tickets and digital journal ads please visit murphguide.com/fssp.
John Samulesen, international president of the Transport Workers Union, a union of more than 150,000 members across the airline, railroad, transit, universities, utilities, and services sectors was in Belfast this week where he met with Sinn Féin member of Belfast City Council Séanna Walsh, and Mayor of Belfast, Sinn Féin’s Ryan Murphy.
John was elected as president of the TWU in 2017, its youngest leader since Mike Quill. He credited Quill’s career as an inspiration. His roots in Ireland are in County Cork now how about that. I like it, you probably know why?
A very good friend of mine and The Irish Examine USA former RTÉ presenter Alf McCarthy has died, aged 73. I just can’t believe that Alf has passed, it’s just so sad to hear this bad news. I have been in touch with Alf quite a lot and he was aways so helpful. He was such a brilliant man and a very well-respected man from all corners of Ireland especially from everyone that knew him in Cork and Munster. Rest in Peace Alf, you will be sorely missed by everyone who came across your path.
He was a presenter of Late Date on RTÉ Radio 1 until his retirement in 2015. He spent more than 35 years on air and presented his final program in December 2015. “I love the intimacy of radio and have enjoyed the privilege of being allowed into people’s lives and hearts every night,” he said ahead of his retirement.”
Here is a special day that I am sure you will all rejoice with, yes that is Mother’s Day that is close to my heart since my mother passed away in 1986. (Rest in Peace Mom.) But now for some happier news, you can all appreciate your mother and there is a special event happening that I have to let you know about that is taking place on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12, at the Irish-American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens, Inc. (297 Willis Avenue in Mineola). The event is chaired by Brigid McNulty, Tess Smith and Helena and Stephen McKenna.
Tickets are $20 for adults with children under eight years old at $5.
Now all you have to do is bring along a picture of Mom for display now that would be nice. All reservations must be made by May 1st so hurry up and sign up. For further information and reservations please call the Center Monday through Friday between 9:30 am and 1 pm at (516) 746-9392 or (516) 742-8080.
In the meantime I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About once more…