By Paddy McCarthy
Now that the Christmas and New Year celebrations are over for another year, and what a good time we all had, and now starts the busiest of times for the next few months. It begins with a lot of dinners, shows, concerts, events and lots more that keeps our Irish up to meet and greet friends from all over. Yes of course, the biggest event of them all will be the Saint Patrick’s Day and the celebrations leading up to it.
Talking about St Patrick’s Day, the Chairman of the New York City Parade Hilary Beirne is bidding to be elected to Seanad Eireann as the voice for the global Irish. The upper house of the Oireachtas, Ireland’s Seanad is composed of up to sixty Senators. Now how can he to both? Well, here is “A day in the life of” Hilary Beirne, the Irish born Founding Chairman of the New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day Foundation and ICAO) of the New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the largest in the world. He will be able to fulfill his role as the Seanad only sits for 121 days a year and he will have an office in Roscommon that will be looking after all his inquiries and with Facetime and Zoom it will be like he is home all the time.
As for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, he will be a 100% on top of things for the first three months of the year. We here at The Irish Examiner USA wish him lots of luck to win a seat in the Seanad in Ireland.
Here is a little bio on the man himself: Hilary Beirne is from Boyle, Co Roscommon and is one of ten children of the late John P. Beirne, Veterinary Surgeon, from Cortober, Carrick-on-Shannon and the late Ethel (nee Regan) Beirne from Coothall, Boyle. Hilary attended the two teacher National School at Hollymount, Ardcarne, Boyle and St Mary’s College, Boyle before entering University College Galway and subsequently University College Dublin where he obtained a Degree in Agricultural Sciences.
In 1981, Hilary attended the Franciscan Agriculture College in Mountbellew, Co Galway where he received a Diploma in Agriculture and was a member of the 1982 All Ireland Inter Agricultural Colleges winning team. Prior to emigrating from Ireland, Hilary worked with O’Hare Animal Feeds in Dundalk, Co Louth as an Agricultural Advisor and Volac Feeds Ltd as Area Manager in the West of Ireland. On a later date I will give you a lot more on Hilary achievements it would take the whole paper.
This just came to my attention: “Dear County Cork BP&P Association Members: Please save the date, Saturday, February 1 at 1 pm. Join Bishop Robert J. Brennan and members of the Irish community for the first diocesan celebration of the Irish Apostolate in honor of St. Brigid. On this day, Bishop Robert J. Brennan will observe the Feast of St. Brigid, patroness of Ireland, with a Mass of thanksgiving at St. James Cathedral-Basilica in Downtown Brooklyn, to celebrate the many contributions of the Irish to the Diocese of Brooklyn. This will be the first diocesan celebration of the Irish Apostolate in honor of St. Brigid!
“The Irish were the founders of the first parish on Long Island – St. James in the downtown area. Many priests and religious vocations have come from the Irish community. Six of the eight Bishops of Brooklyn had Irish roots. And two men of Irish ancestry from our diocese – Bishop Francis X. Ford and Msgr. Bernard Quinn – are candidates for beatification and sainthood!
“Following the liturgy, there will be a cultural performance and a social gathering. I ask that you please circulate this invitation with your friends and family – especially among the Irish. What a great blessing it will be to see our diocesan Cathedral filled with Irish giving thanks to God and standing strong in number to be recognized for their contributions to the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Church universal. Further details will be published in The Tablet and on Currents News as we get closer to the date. St. Brigid, pray for us!”
And there is more from the Cork Association too: “Please join us at 3 pm on Sunday, January 19 for the Installation of the 2025 Officers and Dinner Dance. Our annual Memorial Mass to honor deceased members will be celebrated by Father James Drew, with the Installation Dinner immediately following. Officers will be piped in by Kevin Healy, of the County Cork Pipes & Drums. We will have music by Donie Carroll. A delicious Bantry Bay buffet will be served with an open bar. Tickets are $50 each. Payment can be made by check to the County Cork BP&P Association, cash, or by Zelle to nycorkbpp@gmail.com.”
I was asked to publish the following, now how could I refuse as it came from one of the best folk singers at this side of the Atlantic, Mary Courtney: “Many thanks and Happy New Year! I have a big announcement that you just can’t miss. The Saturday weekly sessions will restart on Saturday January 25 at Downey’s Bar & Grill (5790 Mosholu Avenue in the Bronx) led by Mary Courtney and friends from 6 pm until 9 pm. All musicians and singers are welcome!”
As I said she is one of Ireland’s great folk singers, so don’t miss her performing, as I said one of the best and to contact her just go to her website at www.marycourtneymusic.com, you won’t be disappointed.
This notice came to me from UICANY on the passing of Stephen Anthony Corry, RIP: “A notification I hoped never to send. Please keep my Anthony in your prayers. He passed away this past Thursday, January 9. He was my world, and the only consolation I have is that he is back with his good buddy, my Daddy.” The wake was held last Sunday at the Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home (6110 Riverdale Avenue in Riverdale; www.riverdale-on-hudson.com) and Anthony’s ashes will be brought home to Ireland at a later date for burial with his parents in Kilmurry McMahon Graveyard.
May he rest in peace. Please keep Anthony as well as his siblings and nieces and nephews in your thoughts and prayers.
A native of Benvoran, Kilmurry McMahon, Co. Clare, he was the treasured son of the late Stephen and Lily, cherished partner of Cathy Hogan, beloved brother of Mary (Kevin) McGrath, John (Bridie) and Pat (Patricia). Adored and adoring uncle of (11) and grand-uncle of (13). Dear friend to many here in New York and home in Ireland.
I got the news a bit late for last week’s issue so I put it in this week to give the sad news on the passing of Stephen Anthony Corry, RIP in case people might have missed it.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About once more…