{"id":32736,"date":"2026-07-02T13:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T17:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32736"},"modified":"2026-07-04T13:12:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T17:12:18","slug":"outabout-355","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32736","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my Out&About this week I\u2019d like to tell about a wonderful woman called Eileen Cronin<\/strong> who passed away recently after a short illness R.I.P. She was one of the most famous Irish radio DJ\u2019s who broadcast every Saturday on WRHU Radio Hofstra University 88.7fm<\/strong>. Eileens\u2019s show broadcast from 2 pm to 5 pm playing Irish music with a grand cup of tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first introduction to Eileen was at one of the evening shows at the Irish American Society Nassau\/Suffolk Center<\/strong>. What a lady she was so I am going to give her story with a total recognition on how much I loved her for who she was, yes one of the greatest that I ever came across in my lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now for the happy times when I interviewed Eileen a few years ago that I\u2019ll bring to you again so you can see how wonderful that she really was, so here goes and I hope that you will like it as I want to show you all the respect that I had for her as she will be missed in the Irish community for all the happiness that she brought every week on the radio with nothing but Irish music from entertainers from Ireland and Irish American musicians from all over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs I got to meet Eileen last Thursday evening at the Irish American Society Nassau\/Suffolk Center for the Friendly<\/strong> Sons of St. Patrick Community awards event and yes Eileen also got one that was well deserved for all that she does promoting Irish music on radio. So here we go on Eileen Cronin\u2019s story with a little bio on who she is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eileen Flynn Cronin was born in the South Bronx. Parents Chrissie and Christy Flynn both from the Mallow and Kilavullen area of County Cork, Ireland. \u2018After coming to America my parents and my family lived in the South Bronx in St. Luke’s Parish till I was to start school,\u2019 she said. \u2018Then the family and the relatives moved St. Anthony\u2019s Parish in the upper Bronx. I started taking Irish step dancing at the Stratton Park Social Club. After Graduation I went on to Cathedral High for 2 years and finished the last 2 years at St. Vincent Ferrer High School, all the while going to Irish dances at the Tuxedo Ballroom and Yorkville Casino for nights of great dancing and fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018Growing up there was always Irish music playing, the kettle was on the boil and the door open to welcome the neighbors, whether coming or going to Ireland or just for a chat. I met John Cronin on a blind date and we married in a year. They have three sons. Michael and his wife Samantha, who have 2 children, Mikey and Frannie, then son Tim and Dianna and son John and daughter Abby Rose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018One day while working at Motor Vehicle I met Pat Thompson<\/strong> from County Cavan. He was selling chances by the newsstand for children. We struck up a conversation and he told me all about his wonderful radio program at Hofstra University on 88.7 FM and asked me if I would like to come down to the station and answer the phone. Well kids, the rest is history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018The name of his show is called \u2018The Long Ireland Show\u2019<\/strong> named by Jim Cummings<\/strong> from the Irish Echo<\/em>, and the show was on for 1 hour every Saturday. Well, I started doing the 1-hour show with Pat Thompson and did it for 8 1\/2 years till he decided to retire and turn the show over to me. Before he retired, we started doing the show 2 hours every Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018In the beginning I had to use Pat’s CDs as I only had 3 CDs of my own, but after a while I seemed to acquire a lot of CDs. A lot I bought, and a lot were given to me by the entertainers. I am member of The Irish American Society of Nassau Suffolk and Queens<\/strong>, County Cork Association<\/strong>, delegate to the United Irish Counties<\/strong>, The Ancient Order of Hibernians Div 15<\/strong>, `and the Easter Monday Monument Committee<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018I know that my family and grandparents have planted the seeds of love for Ireland and its music in my very heart and soul. As long as I have YOU, the listener, herself, the Irish music and a grand cup of tea, all will be right with the world. God bless us all.\u2019 That was very nice Eileen well done. Good night Eileen we all love you Rest in Peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The funeral arrangements are as follows for Eileen: Wake Service will be held on Sunday, July 12 from 4 pm to 8 pm at Donohue Cecere Funeral Directors<\/strong> (290 Post Avenue in\u2008Westbury). A memorial mass will be held on Friday, July 17 from 11 am at St. Brigid\u2019s RC Church<\/strong> (85 Post Avenue in Westbury).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About as you never know where I will be visiting\u2026 <\/p>\n

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