{"id":32860,"date":"2026-08-28T10:54:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T14:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32860"},"modified":"2026-08-30T22:59:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T02:59:11","slug":"outabout-363","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32860","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I could not make it to the unbelievable Detective Barney Ferguson Emerald Legacy Fund<\/strong> fundraiser that I am told was a great success as usual, I wish I could have been there. It was the 9th Annual \u201c10-13\u201d \/ \u201cMay Day\u201d Awards Dinner<\/strong> that was held last Thursday and benefits injured, sick and deceased M.O.S.\u2019 and their families. Their Irishman of the Year award was presented to Det. Peter Whalen<\/strong> \u2013 NYPD-ESU (Ret.) and past President of the NYPD Emerald Society<\/strong> and Past President of the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies<\/strong>, who I might teel you is a great supporter of The Irish Examiner USA and we also congratulate you Peter, well done as I am sure it must have been a great evening but again I just could not make it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These were the other honored guests who also got awards on the evening. The Integrity Award went to SSA\u2008Joseph Occhipinti<\/strong>, DOJ\u2013INS (Ret.), NPDF <\/strong>Founder\/Director, PO\u2008Patrick Hendry<\/strong>, NYPD\/President NYCPBA <\/strong>received the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Man of the Year was Det. John Zerafa<\/strong>, NYPD\/FBI Human Trafficking TF and DEA Delegate and the President\u2019s Award was presented to the Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A standing-room-only, sold-out crowd met at the New York Irish Center<\/strong> on the evening of August 19 to remember and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the returning of the Catalpa<\/strong>. After some songs and tunes by an excellent traditional band, historian Marcus Howard<\/strong> recounted the details of the planning, coordination, and bravery of the fenians who made and executed the plan to break six fenian prisoners out of Fremantle Prison and bring them from Australia to New York. Many had traveled from all over the North East to hear the story told and to learn about the escape. People came from New Bedford, MA, Hartford, CT, Springfield, MA, and beyond to celebrate the exact 150th anniversary of the ship\u2019s return to New York harbor. At the conclusion of his presentation, Marcus Howard reflected on the moment and said, \u201cWe\u2019re not only here tonight to learn about history, but we are here tonight to make history. Coming together to reconnect with the long legacy of these brave and daring fenians reminds us of what is possible. There will only be one 150th anniversary of this event, and we are making sure to mark the moment, and to make sure these stories and this history continue to inspire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I just got this in on some sad news that The Officers, Trustees, and Members of the County Cork BP&P Association of New York<\/strong> mourn the passing of\u00a0Annmarie O\u2019Sullivan<\/strong>, sister of\u00a0Neil O\u2019Sullivan<\/strong>, a member of the County Cork Association. \u201cThe Officers, Trustees, and Members extend their heartfelt sympathies to Annmarie\u2019s family and the extended O\u2019Sullivan family during this difficult time, said Association President Diarmuid Connolly<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I personally would like to give my condolences to the O\u2019Sullivan family 0n the passing of Annmarie, RIP. The Cork Association is also mourning the passing of\u00a0Denis (Dinny) Carroll<\/strong>, brother of Donie Carroll<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDinny was a wonderful person, and we have such fond memories of his trips to New York with the Cork Choir. We remember him proudly marching up Fifth Avenue with the Cork Association, singing\u00a0\u2018The Banks\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was the year the County Cork Association proudly won First Place. Those are wonderful memories of a great man who brought so much pride and joy to the Cork community. Our heartfelt condolences to his children, Ray, Mary, Denis, Rose, and Alan, and to his dear brothers, Pat and Donie.\u00a0May Dinny rest in heavenly peace. Ar dheis D\u00e9 go raibh a anam d\u00edlis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would also like to pass on my deepest condolences to Donnie and all the Carroll family. On the passing of his brother Denis. I knew him very well and a very nice gentleman he was, RIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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