By Paddy McCarthy
As you will have read in my Out&About, I was one of the honorees for The Great Irish Fair of New York that was held in Brooklyn last Saturday and I was so proud to be one. The Irish American Building Society (IABS) was the major sponsor of this fabulous event that is now in its 44th year anniversary. I have to tell you I was nervous, it was just like stage fright as all the other great honorees were top shelf and very much deserved to be honorees for this fabulous Fair as you can see, I was around the cream of the Irish community. I am going to repeat them all again as they truly deserve recognition for all that they have done and are doing with this great charitable event which is always supported by the IABS as it is to develop their charitable activities as part of the 44th Annual Great Irish Fair of New York. The event was held on Saturday, September 13th at the grounds of the Holy Name of Jesus (245 Prospect Park West in Brooklyn, New York).
I got to meet so many people at the Fair that I could fill the page so if I did not mention you, please forgive me; but remember this, I was more than happy to meet you all you wont believe how happy you made me on this historical event that I will always cherish for the rest of my life and also to thank you for your friendship that I will hold in my heart and I will always remember you.
Here are some of the people that I got to meet and are also great supporters of what I have achieved since I immigrated to America and for all your encouragement thank you. I am going to start with the Honorees Award recipient’s Niall Murphy, Enna Cottingham, Sister Helen Kearney, Father Christopher Ryan Heanue, Monsignor James J. Kelly, Christine Curran Canny, Thomas P. Sullivan, Patrick Brennan, Father James Cunningham, Ann Garvey, Brigid Mitchell, Lieutenant Brian Leary, Patrick Steffens, and yours truly.
As you can see, I was so appreciative to be getting the honor of been The Bard of the Fair and to be part of all these amazing Honorees again that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
The one person who stood out for my nomination was none other than Marge Keaveney, who was my mentor, thank you Marge for everything and the man who gave me great support Brian O’Dwyer. My thanks also to Mackenzie Iburg-Billera for the great work with all the press and logos for the Fair. and my two friends and neighbors who traveled to the Fair with me Bridget Cooke and Paul Wickel along with John Tully of The Knights of St. Patrick.
As I said I got to meet some great people from all walks of life, most of all the Great Irish Fair Committee members and the Irish American Building Society Board Members combined. Martin Cottingham, Thomas Flood, Mary Glynn, Gerard McCabe Brendan, Chairman of the Fair, Brendan Gallagher, Brian McCabe, Marty and Caroline Glennon, again a great supporter of The Irish Examiner USA. I also got to meet the owner of the The Thatch Pub a mobile Irish pub like no other and serving a great pint as well I might tell yea. He is none other than Patrick O’Rourke, born and raised in New Inn, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland.
Now to finish off my Out&About I cannot forget all the members of the Cork Association headed up by the great Cork woman Mae O’Driscoll who came along to The 44th Annual Great Irish Fair of New York with great support and I would like to personally thank them as it is very much appreciated and I hope they all liked my singing “The Banks of my own Lovely Lee”.
I am not forgetting the great entertainment with The Prodigals, Canny Brothers Band, The Susan and Gerard Band, Buckley School of Irish Dance, O’Malley Irish Dance Academy who all were just brilliant.
The Fair is steeped in a tradition of celebrating those that make a difference, and their mission is to aid those who need a helping hand. They have and continue to support causes that significantly impact the lives of others.
In the early days of the Fair, they focused on social services and now have shifted their focus to the gift of Catholic education. It is an honor and pleasure to have myself and the other Honorees to play a significant role in the fair and their movement to foster making a difference in the community and in the world.
I think I did all right as I am told it was one of the best ever. I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again.