By Paddy McCarthy
This is my Out&About with some very interesting events this week that I am sure will interest you all, starting with the annual Nassau County Irish Night sponsored by The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre at Eisenhower Park. It is attended by 2,000 people who enjoy the Inis Fada Pipe Band, the Donny Golden Dancers, and traditional Irish and Irish country music. The event also provides the Center with the opportunity to recognize those who have made a difference to the Irish American Community and this year I am one of the honorees, now that is so nice to be told that and I am so proud as well, it is for the Irish diaspora in the tristate area and beyond. The event takes place on August 3rd at 7 pm and other than praying for good weather, I will be accepting a proclamation from the Nassau County Executive and the Irish American Center President. I am told that I can then then sit back and enjoy the evening in the company of many who I should know; I am so much looking forward to being there and meeting lots of people I don’t often get the chance to meet. Thank you again to the Irish Community and all who were involved, thank you so much.
Now here is another special event that I know and cannot miss especially now that the Mayo football team are the All Ireland Champions 2026 after a long wait of 75 years Mark your calendars! The Mayo Society of New York invites you to join them on Friday August 21st for their annual pilgrimage to honor Our Lady of Knock. The schedule of events is: 7 am – Pick-up #1 – Bus leaves St. Sebastian’s in Woodside. Pick-up #2 – Rambling House in Woodlawn. 11 am – Mass – Our Lady of Knock Shrine in East Durham. Luncheon immediately following mass at the Shamrock House. Price per person is $100, with a lunch only option at $35.Checks payable to the Mayo Society of New York can be mailed c/o Betty Mc Loughlin, 16-34 212th Street, Bayside, New York 11360.
Now here is the Hudson Valley Irish Festival that is becoming one of the biggest east coast Irish family Festivals. “Mark your calendars! The Hudson Valley Irish Fest returns on Saturday, September 19, for another unforgettable day of Irish music, dance, culture, food, shopping, and community along the beautiful Peekskill waterfront. We’re already planning an exciting lineup of entertainment, family activities, authentic vendors, and plenty of Celtic spirit—and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!” Now you heard it here and in the next few weeks we will have much more news on the entertainment and all the events that will be happening at the Hudson Valley Irish Fest.
Finally I must remember legendary Irish musician Glen Hansard (21 April 1970 – 29 July 2026) who died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin at the age of 56. From 1990, Hansard was the front man of the Irish rock band The Frames, with whom he released six studio albums, four of which reached the top ten of the Irish album charts. Glen was one half of folk rock duo the Swell Season before releasing his debut solo album, Rhythm and Repose, in 2012. Primarily a musician, Hansard also acted and wrote music for film. He appeared in the BAFTA-winning comedy-drama The Commitments (1991) and the Golden Globe-nominated romantic drama Cyrano (2021). Hansard starred in the musical drama Once (2007), which earned several major awards including the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly”, with co-writer and co-star Markéta Irglová. The film was later adapted into a production.
From Ballymun in Dublin, Ireland. Hansard married Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa in 2022. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Hansard family on the passing of Glen, RIP, from the staff here at The Irish Examiner.
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…