{"id":32375,"date":"2026-01-29T03:32:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T08:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32375"},"modified":"2026-01-29T19:41:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T00:41:46","slug":"outabout-344","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32375","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, here is something that I am very proud to give you in my Out&About from my friend George Heslin<\/strong>, Executive Director of The Irish Center<\/strong>, so here we go: \u201cThe NY Irish Center<\/strong> (NYIC) is proud to present\u00a0America\u2019s first Irish language film festival,\u00a0\u201cF\u00eds Nua | New Vision,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0in February.\u00a0\u00a0Produced in partnership with Ireland\u2019s premier Irish language broadcaster TG4<\/strong>, the three-day festival \u2013\u00a0Thursday to Saturday, February 19, 20 and 21\u00a0will screen seven fascinating, recently produced Irish-language feature-length and short films. The opening night film \u201cThe Quiet Girl\u201d<\/strong> (which was Oscar-nominated for the Best International Feature Film in 2023), screens on\u00a0Friday, February 20 at 7 pm. Directed by\u00a0Colm Bair\u00e9ad<\/strong>\u00a0this 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 \u201ca jewel\u201d by The Guardian<\/em>. The highly acclaimed film was seen in limited release in New York and LA in 2022.\u00a0\u00a0The screening is preceded by\u00a0a brief retrospective\u00a0of Bair\u00e9ad\u2019s road to the Oscar nomination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA special panel talk and reception on the first night will involve New York\u2019s growing community of Irish speakers and several of the filmmakers\u00a0(Thursday, February 19 at 7 pm).\u00a0Festival Passes are $40, with Day Passes on sale for just $15.\u00a0\u00a0All films are shown with English subtitles.\u00a0\u00a0One of the films,\u00a0\u201cAn Chathair Mh\u00f3r,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0was shot locally in New York,\u00a0\u00a0Tickets are currently on sale at\u00a0www.newyorkirishcenter.org<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is true, great films are great in any language,\u201d said George. \u201cBut it is a particular point of pride to introduce films in Ireland\u2019s traditional language, which is experiencing a huge resurgence in and out of Ireland. Our community of speakers at NYIC is growing exponentially.\u00a0\u00a0We can\u2019t wait to welcome film lovers of all backgrounds in New York to join us for what we know will be an exhilarating three days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hub for culture and community enrichment serving diverse constituencies throughout New York City,\u00a0the NY Irish Center\u00a0serves over 25,000 annually \u2013\u00a0from toddlers, young people, seniors, immigrants, arts lovers, and\u00a0New York\u2019s ever-evolving Irish diaspora.\u00a0The bustling center is now\u00a0celebrating its 21st anniversary during this 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The festival kicks off with a panel discussion and reception The distinguished\u00a0Irish language radio contributor\u00a0Caoimhe Nic Giollarn\u00e1ith<\/strong>, moderates a panel discussing the role media and entertainment have played in the revival of the Irish language and perspective on TG4\u2019s pivotal role in broadening the appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday February 21, from 2 to 4 pm is Children\u2019s Afternoon with \u201cL\u00ed Ban\u201d<\/strong> and \u201cSong of the Sea\u201d<\/strong>. \u201cA treat for youngsters and families, they screen two episodes from TG4 new animated series:\u00a0\u2018L\u00ed Ban\u2019\u00a0follows a 12-year-old and her dog on magical journey to the sea. Then, courtesy of the Oscar-nominated production studio Cartoon Saloon<\/strong> we show\u00a0\u2018Song of the Sea\u2019\u00a0directed by\u00a0Tomm Moore<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday evening they have a double feature of \u201cAg Taisteal Siar\u201d<\/strong> and locally made short film \u201cAn Chathair Mh\u00f3r\u201d. M\u00e9abh O\u2019Hare\u2019s<\/strong> fascinating documentary\u00a0\u201cAg Taisteal Siar\u201d\u00a0explores the\u00a0rich musical heritage of Ireland\u2019s Traveler community – a driving force in Irish music since the 1960s ballad boom.\u00a0\u00a0It is full of spellbinding performances and interviews with such legends as Kathleen Keenan<\/strong>, Sarah Dunne<\/strong>, Sharyn Ward<\/strong>, Niamh Dunne<\/strong> and Steo Wall<\/strong>. The festival\u2019s closing night film is a locally made short film by\u00a0Cian O\u2019Connor<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAn Chathair Mh\u00f3r.\u201d\u00a0Filmed in Woodlawn in The Bronx, and produced with a primarily Irish cast and crew, O\u2019Connor tells the touching story of a young man who travels\u00a0to New York from Ireland where he rediscovers his love for Gaeilige through minding his grandaunt Breda in her last days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The premier national Irish broadcaster TG4, on the air since 1996, is celebrated for being a hub for Irish language and culture globally.\u00a0\u00a0The free channel is available in over 80% of Irish households. It\u2019s video on demand service recorded 4.3 million video views in 2024, a 23% increase over the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From its storefront theater, The Reilly Room<\/strong>, NYIC presents more than 100 shows and series annually in comedy, music, theater, film, books and literacy.\u00a0\u00a0It 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signature events are the annual St Patrick\u2019s Day 6-hour cultural marathon,\u00a0\u201c40 Shades of Green,\u201d\u00a0the on-going\u00a0BlarneyStar\u00a0 traditional music concert series; the Queens Irish Heritage Festival\u00a0in June; the\u00a0\u201cCrossroads Concerts\u201d\u00a0series, now back by popular demand in monthly concerts through June; the beloved Christmas concert,\u00a0\u201cNY Croons for Christmas,\u201d\u00a0and a\u00a0Toy Drive\u00a0with special appearances by a different celebrity Santa every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NYIC\u2019s extensive social services programing and assistance resources include\u00a0its\u00a0Wednesday Lunch\u00a0– one of the most popular active retirement gatherings in New York City;\u00a0\u201cThe Story Continues\u201d\u00a0(NYIC\u2019s quarterly LGBTQ+ networking event);\u00a0Solace House<\/strong>\u00a0(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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New York Irish Center (1040 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City), is\u00a0just seven minutes, and one stop, on the 7 train from Grand Central Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong> 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<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again\u2026 <\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>