By Paddy McCarthy
We are now coming to the end of the World Cup with the Final, with the possible teams that could go through being France, Spain, England and Argentina. I am telling you all this as almost every pub in America and Ireland will be full to the brim as the pints will be flowing I can promise you that, no matter what team wins. This will be a bar owner’s dream come true, especially at this time of the year, so I wish all of them the best and enjoy it all, as you all deserve it.
The America 250 Anniversary celebrations were a great success all over the United States and even back in Ireland.
Since my Out&About started running with sports here are two games that I know will be big draws where they are shown here in America and they are the two All-Ireland games, the Hurling and Gaelic Football Finals. I have to recommend this venue to you, The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens (297 Willis Avenue, Mineola on Long Island). Now why am I recommending this venue? Because it is very close to my home, that is why. So here we go. “For the most exciting games of the season, the Gaelic Athletic Association All-Ireland Champion games that will be held live on July 19th as Galway take on Limerick in the hurling, and on July 26th with Kerry vs Mayo in the football, with both games starting at 10:30 am, doors open at 9 am).” Serving a full Irish Breakfast now how could you not miss this. They will have multiple screens for you to watch the games live from Croke Park in Dublin. Now where would yea get it only in New York. You can call (516) 746-9392 for reservations, or you can also check on their website at www.irishamericansociety.com for more information.
Wow, this summer weather is a hot one I can tell you and now that we are at the near end of The World Cup with just the Final left that will be held at the “New Jersey/New York Stadium” that I am told is already sold out. Why am I telling you all this in my Out&About? Well because every bar and restaurant will be packed out to the doors to watch both the runner up game on Saturday and the Final on Sunday. Now we all know who they are. For the runners up it’s France vs England, and for the final it’s Spain vs Argentina; what a Final it’s going to be. Now here is the good news that I want to tell yea is if you want to go to some bar or restaurant as I am in New York I recommend The Pig’n’Whistle on 36th Street just two blocks up from Penn Station. I can guarantee you that the service is the best and with Katy behind the bar you just can’y go wrong and with the management partner of The Pig’n’Whistle. Cormick McCormack who is the host of the most and always there to welcome you, and outside of that they have a fabulous menu that will suit all your tastes.
The other establishment I just can’t miss out on is McCarthy’s on 46th Street in the hub of the world famous Times Square, New York, New York I have to give it to you twice because that is what it is. Now getting by to McCarthy’s Pub and Restaurant you just can’t also go wrong because the service is one of the best in the city and with Amanda behind the bar serving you, you just can’t go wrong and again the service is first class with a great menu. They also have a sister bar and restaurant called Gossip Bar and Restaurant that is at 733 9th Avenue. Before heading for a show in the Theater District walk into Gossip Bar where the owner Jimmy Lyons will greet you so that you can enjoy a pint of your favorite beer and watch the World Cup on the screens, now tell Jimmy I sent yea, just kidding.
Before I finish I have to congratulate Hilary Beirne for the brilliant organizing of The American and Ireland 250th Anniversary that was held at Bowling Green in downtown Manhattan as that parade marched all the way to City Hall. There were lots of dignitaries who marched with the NYPD Pipe band to lead them up the Avenue, what a great turn out that also included Consul General of Ireland Gerald Angley, who is doing great work for the Irish community and promoting Ireland.
I hope you enjoyed my Out&About this week and I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again…