By Paddy McCarthy
I hope everyone had a nice time over Christmas and during the New Year’s Eve festivities as much as I did. The sad thing about all of it is that it goes so quick and that is when you’re having some fun. Now the other question is, was Santa good to everyone and were you naughty or nice? I’m sure that everyone was on Santa’s Nice list, a cherished holiday tradition that brings joy and excitement to all the children around the world as well as all the adults, oh I miss it already don’t you?
Now back to the new year of 2025 that I am so much looking forward to as I feel it will be good for us all if we think positively and look on the bright side of life. I am starting my Out&About this week with some events that should interest you and if not it’s all good new anyhow so let’s get started.
I just got this one in from the Irish American Building Society to say that they are overjoyed to announce that Martin J. Cottingham, their esteemed President, has been named the Grand Marshal of the 50th Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Parade! This prestigious recognition is a true testament to Martin’s unwavering dedication to the Irish American community and his outstanding leadership within the society, a well-deserved honor for such an inspiring individual.
Joining as an aide is their very own Kieran McGirl, the talented grandson of the late Al O’Hagan, founder of the Great Irish Fair of New York. Kieran’s involvement highlights the enduring legacy of his grandfather’s contributions and the continued celebration of Irish heritage across generations. Together, Martin and Kieran embody the spirit of pride, tradition, and community that makes this celebration so special.
Congratulations to both for their remarkable achievements! Please join us in supporting this year’s Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Parade that will be held on March 16. The Annual Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Parade kicks off at Bartel-Pritchard Square at 1 pm. Yes I am a bit early giving you this information only I will be covering as many parades as possible before the big day, March 17th, that again will be on top of us pretty soon.
Now for another historic event that is well worth mentioning to you, as again that is what I am here for with my Out&About. My dear friend George Heslin, Executive Director of New York Irish Center, sent me this message that I am proud to pass on for him: “As we celebrate our 20th anniversary season, New York Irish Center continues to be a vital touchstone for our community through social services, educational, and cultural enrichment programs.
“Not only are we a home and meeting place for New York’s vibrant, ever-changing Irish diaspora, but we are also a welcoming stop for diverse audiences. Thanks to you, over 25,000 toddlers, youth, adults, seniors, and everyone in between enjoy over 100 outstanding cultural events annually, such as theatre, comedy, films, and literary showcases.
“This fall alone, luminaries from both sides of the Atlantic—from Geraldine Hughes, Colin Quinn, and the award-winning author Colum McCann—have electrified our audiences.
“In addition to celebrating Irish traditions through our monthly Blarney Star Concert Series (featuring trad Irish music and dance), the Queens Irish Heritage Festival in June, our 6-hour entertainment marathon on St. Patrick’s Day, 40 Shades of Green, and dozens of other events, we embrace the shared journeys of New York’s immigrant communities.
“Many of our programs explore cultural connections and exhilarating collaborations. Our Crossroads Concert Series, which blends Irish music with traditions from around the globe, continues to sell out. We look forward to savoring fusions of Irish and music from Brazil, the Middle East, Ghana, Puerto Rico, and Native American music. All the while, our Finding Home literary series explores Irish and Indian connections, forging new and valuable friendships. Our free Social Care Program continues a tradition started by our founders Fr. Colm Campbell and Paddy Reilly.
“The Center boasts one of the most popular immigrant and senior gatherings in NYC: our weekly Wednesday Lunch Program, which serves more than 3,600 hot lunches annually. We also offer free weekly tech literacy classes, fitness sessions, art workshops, movie afternoons, tax filing assistance, Gaelic conversation groups, among so many other services. These programs offer care, companionship, and critical resources to those in need, ensuring that no one is forgotten.
“Youth come together for festivals like Tír Na Nóg and the Mid-Winter Celtic Kids Celebration. Along with after-school classes and school holiday workshops, these programs inspire curiosity, build community, and give the next generation a sense of belonging and purpose.
“This special holiday season, our Toy Drive transforms the Center into a bustling workshop, with 100 volunteers wrapping 1,000 gifts for underprivileged children. Santa himself (who has a distinctly Irish brogue, don’t you know!) will give away hundreds of these gifts, all in a day’s work.
“We need your help to sustain these programs. Your support—whether $36, $360, $3600, or more—makes a huge impact and fuels our work, so please stretch a bit further when making your donation. You can support New York Irish Center online with a credit card at www.newyorkirishcenter.org/donate, by stock option donation or by check. You can even spread out your giving: pledge a donation of $300+ now and pay it off by June 30, 2025. Thank you for being part of this journey and for believing in what we do. You’re not just a supporter—you’re family!”
What I am doing for New York Irish Center I can do for any Irish organization that needs some help getting the word out. Yes they do depend on your donations, so whatever you donate is very much appreciated I can tell you that.
Again if I did not include this big event, Mae O’Driscoll will have me excommunicated from the association… I’m only kidding as she is one of the greatest well-known community organizers and a past-president of the New York Cork Association that I am so proud to know very well.
The 140th County Cork BP&P Association of New York’s St Patrick’s Day Banquet will be held at Antun’s of Queens Village on Saturday March 8th. New member, Daniel Donovan, Executive Director of Mechanical Maintenance and Operations of DCAS NYC will be Cork Man of the Year for 2025, Christina McCarthy, Vice President of Global Media – Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is Cork Woman of the Year for 2025 and Bernard O’Dowd is the Frank T. Carvill Distinguished Service Award Honoree for 2025.
For more information you can go to www.nycorkassociation.com. Email nycorkbpp@gmail.com to book your tickets early as it will be a sell out for this annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner.
On the coast of Connemara, approximately an hour’s drive from Galway City, there is a charming 19th century fishing village called Roundstone. The village is full of colorful houses along the Atlantic and the imposing Connemara Mountains. At the end of the main road (I dare say perhaps it is the only road in the village) there is an old Franciscan monastery and right beside it a sign that says Roundstone Music & Craft, the shop/studio of bodhrán maker Malachy Kearns, also known as “Malachy Bodhrán”.
Malachy has handmade all of the bodhráns used in Riverdance since 1994 and also designed and made the original stage drums used to drive the show.
The bodhrán is one of the oldest musical instruments, a one sided hand held drum that is made through traditional methods using treated goat’s skin stretched onto a Birch frame. You can order your own from Malachy where colorful designs will be hand painted onto the bodhrán including, by request, family crests. Get yours by visiting www.bodhran.com.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again…