By Paddy McCarthy
I had a busy couple of days last week starting with the Cork BP&P Association Gala Dinner that was held at Antun’s Banquet Hall in Queens Village, New York. What a great evening it was as it was their 141st St. Patrick’s Ball and Dinner, and the who’s who were at it from all over. The honored guests were Thomas Browne who was Man of the Year. Then we had Dr. Keara Browne, no relation to Thomas, as Woman of the Year, Pipe Major Kevin Healy of the County Cork Pipes and Drums who was named the Frank T.Carvill Distinguished Service Award winner, and Daniel Cronin, who was the 60-year Member of the Cork Association; wow isn’t that brilliant.
I personally want to thank all the Honorees as they deserved all the acknowledgement that they got. I also want to thank all the volunteer members that put a lot of hard work in to make the evening a great success and boy it was.
Now, to top it all the Lord Mayor of Cork City, Councilor Fergal Dennehy spoke very well from the podium, he was so happy as he said it is always a pleasure to meet proud Corkonians abroad. He did say it was an honor to be with all of us there to celebrate the 141st County Cork BP&P Association Banquet and finished with a very nice speech. The Lord Mayor was followed to the podium by Cork County Council Mayor Mary Linehan Foley. She got a great introduction as the Mayor of the County of Cork, plus the Mayor is from Youghal, County Cork.
Again, she was so happy for this great occasion and again spoke very well and got a standing ovation from all the guests. Oh what an evening and I am not forgetting the Tommy Flynn Band who had all the guests dancing all evening who were just brilliant. Now did I have a good time? What can I say, again it was fabulous from start to finish.
I had another great evening at the Friendly Sons event that was held at the Garden City Hotel in Nassau County on Long Island. I was so happy to be invited by a good friend, Dermot Kelly. I have to say this: every and anyone that is connected to the Irish Community was there. I would like to name everyone that was there but it would be impossible for me, I will mention though Congressman Tom Suozzi, as we had a photo taken together with Dermot Kelly. Another great evening was had by all.
From daily kayak trips lasting eight to twelve hours through Lough Cullin and Conn to the many treks up Croagh Patrick to playing fields and the heights of being a winner, an extraordinary character is about to fulfill his childhood dream of climbing Mount Everest. Once we had St Patrick on the “Reek” Our current day hero is Padraig O’Hara, an established sports star that has played football for Co. Mayo. He has arrived through many years of preparation for this moment in time to drive out the snakes of young men’s minds, raising funds for mayomha.ie.
His plight and ambition has caught the attention of Podcaster (It’s good to Talk) John D Healy (founder of Mother Hubbard’s (the first restaurant in Ireland to provide access for people with disabilities before it was a planning requirement). John recently interviewed Padraig on his podcast. He delves deep into what is required from the training, diet and mind set of Padraig; and of how he will miss the Niceties of Ballina including Barry’s Tea and O’Hara’s bread. At the end of the interview Padraig says great thanks to the Mayo Society of New York for their support.
A Mayo Man himself, John mirrors Padraig’s interests and in his generosity has donated two Nancy Purcell paintings that in themselves reflect the beauty of the mountains and sunsets. With a name that is as intriguing as his art “Fall Rivers” an NYC based artist discovered by John Healy has donated a couple of his own pieces. It is his way of saying thank you to John for providing a an art space during the Covid-19 pandemic. His art work draws us into the present.
In his own words: “A lot of canvases are based off emotion…see something you feel, personally I love when he adds the glow in the dark element to his work. How apt in this subject matter that there is ‘a light that never goes out.’”
If you would like to help Padraig in his endeavor in the words of Bishop Casey “give a little, it helps a lot” you can contact John at Jh4news@yahoo.com. You can listen to all John’s interviews at www.johndhealy.com.
This came from one of the top Podcast her in New York by a very good Mayo man John Healy.
The Aisling Irish Community and Cultural Center has extended warm congratulations to the 2026 Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal, Yonkers Fire Commissioner William Fitzpatrick, and to his Aides, Danny Browne, Sean M. Drain, Caitlin Geraghty Liberatori, Kate Kiernan-Goodwin, Sheila M. Halligan, Geoffrey Keating, Jennifer Murphy Oelkers, and Frank O’Keefe. The Aisling Irish Community and Cultural Center said it was honored to take part in the traditions surrounding the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a cherished celebration that has continued to grow for decades.
The Aisling Irish Community Center, located on McLean Avenue in Yonkers, has served the Irish diaspora and wider community for more than 25 years through social services, senior programs, youth initiatives, and cultural programming. This came to me from Stephanie Messing, the Aisling Center’s Events Officer.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all my Out&About readers, see you all again next week.