By Paddy McCarthy
I am starting my Out&About with the news that I am sure we were hoping would not happen, but it did. Yes, the weatherman was right this time as we got the Snow Storm that they promised especially in the North East. I have to tell yea that we were snowed in, and I do mean snowed in as I thought we were in the North Pole ha, ha. The photo on the opposite page is from my back door as it looks beautiful to look at, boy am I getting good at this, ahh I love it.
Oh, here is something that I am very proud to give you in my Out&About from my friend George Heslin, Executive Director of The Irish Center, so here we go: “The NY Irish Center (NYIC) is proud to present America’s first Irish language film festival, “Fís Nua | New Vision,” in February. Produced in partnership with Ireland’s premier Irish language broadcaster TG4, the three-day festival – Thursday to Saturday, February 19, 20 and 21 will screen seven fascinating, recently produced Irish-language feature-length and short films. The opening night film “The Quiet Girl” (which was Oscar-nominated for the Best International Feature Film in 2023), screens on Friday, February 20 at 7 pm. Directed by Colm Bairéad this masterfully crafted film about a neglected 9-year-old girl who finds a loving home with distant relatives on a farm in County Waterford, was called “a jewel” by The Guardian. The highly acclaimed film was seen in limited release in New York and LA in 2022. The screening is preceded by a brief retrospective of Bairéad’s road to the Oscar nomination.
“A special panel talk and reception on the first night will involve New York’s growing community of Irish speakers and several of the filmmakers (Thursday, February 19 at 7 pm). Festival Passes are $40, with Day Passes on sale for just $15. All films are shown with English subtitles. One of the films, “An Chathair Mhór,” was shot locally in New York, Tickets are currently on sale at www.newyorkirishcenter.org.”
“It is true, great films are great in any language,” said George. “But it is a particular point of pride to introduce films in Ireland’s traditional language, which is experiencing a huge resurgence in and out of Ireland. Our community of speakers at NYIC is growing exponentially. We can’t wait to welcome film lovers of all backgrounds in New York to join us for what we know will be an exhilarating three days.”
A hub for culture and community enrichment serving diverse constituencies throughout New York City, the NY Irish Center serves over 25,000 annually – from toddlers, young people, seniors, immigrants, arts lovers, and New York’s ever-evolving Irish diaspora. The bustling center is now celebrating its 21st anniversary during this 2025-26 season.
The festival kicks off with a panel discussion and reception The distinguished Irish language radio contributor Caoimhe Nic Giollarnáith, moderates a panel discussing the role media and entertainment have played in the revival of the Irish language and perspective on TG4’s pivotal role in broadening the appeal.
On Saturday February 21, from 2 to 4 pm is Children’s Afternoon with “Lí Ban” and “Song of the Sea”. “A treat for youngsters and families, they screen two episodes from TG4 new animated series: ‘Lí Ban’ follows a 12-year-old and her dog on magical journey to the sea. Then, courtesy of the Oscar-nominated production studio Cartoon Saloon we show ‘Song of the Sea’ directed by Tomm Moore.
On Saturday evening they have a double feature of “Ag Taisteal Siar” and locally made short film “An Chathair Mhór”. Méabh O’Hare’s fascinating documentary “Ag Taisteal Siar” explores the rich musical heritage of Ireland’s Traveler community – a driving force in Irish music since the 1960s ballad boom. It is full of spellbinding performances and interviews with such legends as Kathleen Keenan, Sarah Dunne, Sharyn Ward, Niamh Dunne and Steo Wall. The festival’s closing night film is a locally made short film by Cian O’Connor “An Chathair Mhór.” Filmed in Woodlawn in The Bronx, and produced with a primarily Irish cast and crew, O’Connor tells the touching story of a young man who travels to New York from Ireland where he rediscovers his love for Gaeilige through minding his grandaunt Breda in her last days.
The premier national Irish broadcaster TG4, on the air since 1996, is celebrated for being a hub for Irish language and culture globally. The free channel is available in over 80% of Irish households. It’s video on demand service recorded 4.3 million video views in 2024, a 23% increase over the previous year.
From its storefront theater, The Reilly Room, NYIC presents more than 100 shows and series annually in comedy, music, theater, film, books and literacy. It is both an incubator for new work produced locally, as well as a favorite gateway into the busy New York cultural scene for numerous prominent performers from the island of Ireland.
Signature events are the annual St Patrick’s Day 6-hour cultural marathon, “40 Shades of Green,” the on-going BlarneyStar traditional music concert series; the Queens Irish Heritage Festival in June; the “Crossroads Concerts” series, now back by popular demand in monthly concerts through June; the beloved Christmas concert, “NY Croons for Christmas,” and a Toy Drive with special appearances by a different celebrity Santa every year.
NYIC’s extensive social services programing and assistance resources include its Wednesday Lunch – one of the most popular active retirement gatherings in New York City; “The Story Continues” (NYIC’s quarterly LGBTQ+ networking event); Solace House (a provider of free, confidential suicide prevention counseling available for anyone seeking help); Irish language and dance classes, book clubs, and free tax support, and computer classes. For more information, please visit NewYorkIrishCenter.org.
The New York Irish Center (1040 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City), is just seven minutes, and one stop, on the 7 train from Grand Central Station.
I am ending my Out&About to give you some sad news on a very good friend of mine since I immigrated to America. The late Diarmuid Hogan passed away on January 18th after an illness bravely borne at Beaumont Hospital Dublin, Ireland. Beloved son of the late Jimmy and Patricia Hogan. Diarmuid Hogan was a great friend of The Irish Examiner USA and had supported it from the first day that it was published, and also supported the Irish Connections magazine, which is temporally out of production but will return this year.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again…