By Paddy McCarthy
It has been a very busy week Out&About and that’s exactly the way I like it. I had the biggest Out&About trip to guess where? Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada with my wife Patricia; yes, I do have a wife, would you believe it? Just kidding, as she never looks for the limelight.
The trip was all her planning and let me tell yea it was just a fabulous trip for a few days break. We stayed at the beautiful Prince George Hotel. You know what? It reminded me of going back to Ireland as this was the opening gateway to most Irish immigrants who pursued a new life in Canada and North America back in the 19 century.
The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax will give you the history of all the nationalities from around the world that immigrated to Canada.
We then visited the Halifax Maritime Museum of the Atlantic that is located in the heart of Halifax’s historic waterfront. This is Canada’s premier maritime museum and here you can immerse yourself in the stories, events and people that define Nova Scotia’s relationship with the sea. The museum is home to several respected exhibits that explore historical events and topics such as the historic sinking of the Titanic, the Halifax Explosion, the Navy, Days of Sail and the Age of Steam. You can also do a guided tour of each of the museums and I promise you that they are so informative.
We did a lot of walking in Halifax, so we had to stop for some refreshments, as you might have guessed, at Alexander Keith’s Brewery that is part of Brewery Market, with historic buildings, shops, dining and of course the brewery that you also have to visit as again it’s got lots of history.
The hotel we stayed in was walking distance from everything as we were in downtown Halifax. Well again I got to check out some Irish eateries, pubs and bars, don’t you know I did, and the first one was Durty Nelly’s Authentic Irish Pub. I can tell you this was like coming home, what a warm welcome we got from the staff and the owners who were from all parts of Ireland. They have music all day and night with different musicians playing a variety of music from good old Irish music to pop and all your favorites, you would love this Irish pub! What a blast I had as again it been like home from home and with staff like these you don’t want to leave.
Here we go with the staff that makes it all happen: the owner’s name is Joe McGuinness (Dublin) who I did not get to meet as he was out of town. So, his son Niall McGuinness who is the manager gave us a great welcome along with the staff that included Eoin Leslie and Saoirse Harrison, both from Galway, and the ever-popular bartender Frank Starmer. Yes, it was a long evening and so enjoyable.
While we were Out&About the next day we visited The Old Triangle Ale House and again it was like “Honey I’m home,” as that is what it was like. I got to meet the owner Brian Doherty, who is a musician as well as a entrepreneur, and he loves music, food and wine. He is also the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Nova Scotia who runs a fabulous establishment with his family.
We got to meet some lovely people who were all from Ireland at The Old Triangle including Jarlath McKerr (Armagh), Des Foley (Leitrim), Brendan Byrne (Armagh), David McKerr (Armagh). By the way, Des Foley is a good friend of Frankie Dwyer and Mike Carty, owners of the new Rosie O’Grady’s (146 West 46th Street in Manhattan). We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when… that’s for the boys we got to meet.
I received some very bad news last week that the Houndstooth Pub, a cornerstone of the Garment District’s food and drink scene, closed its doors for good after 13 years of business. A great friend of mine and The Irish Examiner USA, General Manager Nicholas Cohen sat down to reminisce in the bar at the corner of 8th Avenue and West 37th Street. He said that he will always cherish his time at the traditional Irish pub, where celebrities were often spotted nursing a pint or two. “We’ve had many great nights over the 13 years,” Nick said. “I’ve had Courtney Cox pulling pints of Guinness. I’ve had Ed Sheeran having a jam session with Beyoncé and Jay-Z,” but even with these memories, Nick, who also manages the Houndstooth’s sister bar, Stitch at 247 West 37th St (between 7th and 8th Avenues), explained that the sudden loss still stings: “There’s tears in my eyes that it’s lights out but that’s the reality of the economy right now.”
Houndstooth joined the neighborhood after Stitch’s landlord offered the space to Nick and his partners. By offering good drinks, good food and good conversation, the pub was able to attract a sizeable crowd, and it developed a reputation as one of the top bars in the Garment District.
With Houndstooth gone, Nick plans to devote more energy to Stitch. “I just want to thank everyone for 13 great years. Such great memories…It’s breaking my heart, but the only thing constant is change. Let’s see what the next chapter brings for me and our wonderful staff,” he said.
I’ve know Nick since I immigrated to America to the days when he was the first salesman for Samuel Adams out of Boston that is a major success today all the way up to the days he got into managing in the night club business. Again he was brilliant with everything he has done.
I know a lot of bar and restaurant owners who are very successful and professional with all they do and I must say that Nicholas Cohen from Dublin, Ireland is right up there with them all. As I said from the start Nick will bounce back although he and his partners have another very famous establishment right around the corner from Houndstooth Pub that closed, that is called Stitch Bar and Blues that hosts some fabulous music. So, you can pop in and say hello to Nick, wish him well, listen to the music and have a nice cocktail.
Turning to some better news now that John Samuelson, Transport Workers Union International President is the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies 2025 Irishman of the Year and also the 2025 Aide to the Saint Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal.
The County Tipperary N. & B. Association of New York invites you to join them at their 12th Annual Tipperary Field Day taking place on Sunday, October 13th from 1 pm to 6 pm at Redmond Park on Cook Avenue in Yonkers. It’s always a day filled with fun, family, friends, and food! It’s Columbus Day Weekend, so hopefully no one’s got to work but there’a definitely no school on Monday! Friends of Tipperary are more than welcome. For more information, contact Margaret Purcell-Roddy at MargaretPurcell2@aol.com.
This next came to me from Dan Dennehy who says: “The best of Ireland and the Hudson Valley come together at the Hudson Valley Irish Fest. Come sing along and dance to Irish superstar Mundy, world famous violinist Daisy Joplin and Band, the voice of Irish freedom Mary Courtney and friends, HVIF favorites the T. McCann Band and local heroes Phineas & The Lonely Leaves and many more in The Trad Tent, Dance Tent and Spoken Word Tent.
“Join your children at play with remarkable 18th century toys and games, shop our great vendors and food trucks, and take in the views and our family-friendly atmosphere. Make Hudson Valley Irish Fest on the gorgeous Peekskill Riverfront a must-do on your calendar!
“The Hudson Valley Irish Fest is a community-driven event, made possible by the generous support of the men, women, and families of AOH Fighting 69th Regiment Peekskill Division 18 Westchester County Hibernians. The Consulate General of Ireland NY also plays a crucial role, providing an annual grant from the Emigrant Support Program of the Foreign Affairs Department.
“Your support is what makes this celebration of Irish culture and heritage possible.”
The Hudson Valley Irish Fest will be held from 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday, September 28, at Peekskill’s Riverfront Green Park.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About again…