I am back with lots of gossip, all good I might tell you and I'm very happy to say things are looking up.

First off, the Brooklyn Irish American Parade Installation Dinner will be happening on Saturday February 5th starting at 8pm at the St. Patrick's Auditorium (4th Avenue and 97th Street in Brooklyn).

The parade Honorees will include the Grand Marshal of the 36th Annual Brooklyn St. Patrick's Day Parade, Mae O'Driscoll from Skibbereen, County Cork, and what a great choice I must say; this woman has been involved in so many organizations with her voluntary work that it would take up the whole page if I had to mention all of them, but two that stand out are United Irish Counties and the IIRM - she has always been at the forefront of the immigration reform lobby over the years. Good you Mae keep it up.

Next week I will be able to tell you a lot more about Mae, all good I promise... I've got to tell you this as I know some people will be wondering "how the hell did he bump into them?" Well I was at the Grand Hyatt on 42nd Street and lo and behold there they were: Karl O'Connor and Paul Hurley at a meeting in the new bar and lounge... now was that a coincidence or what?

Now I would like to have heard that conversation... they must be planning another move? Oh I almost forgot, they are the owners of O'Casey's Bar and Restaurant on 41st Street just around the corner from Grand Central Station and the New York Public Library.

You may be interested in the news that Nevada Smiths was voted the Third Best Soccer Bar in the 2010 Best of U.S. Soccer Awards from the the U.S. Soccer Federation North America.

Here are the winners: 1st Small Bar, Chicago, 2nd O'Brien's Pub, San Diego... I wonder, is that anything to do with Des O'Brien of the famous O'Brien's Irish Pub on 46 Street off Times Square? You never know... 3rd Nevada Smiths, New York... Not at all bad huh?

I paid a visit to Lillies Irish Victorian Bar and Restaurant (on 17th Street) on Thursday night and let me tell you, those boys are flying. It was packed to the door and it was great to see the owners Tommy and Frank at the end of the long bar. What more can I ask for than to meet the boys and have a pint, ah, I love it.

If you have never been to Lillies you don't know what you're missing as what they have done is beyond belief and it's a credit to them. They've been great supporters of The Irish Examiner since it started five years ago.

As I am on subject, this newspaper will be celebrating its Fifth Anniversary next week and we'd like to thank you the readers for having made it such a great success.

Can you believe it? Our Fifth Anniversary and we're just going from strength to strength even though we had our difficulties at the start and some not so nice comments when we came out... now look at us!

Yes it's almost concert time again and I thought I'd keep you posted on one or two that might interest you.

The Flogging Molly will be playing on Wednesday March 2nd at Terminal 5 (610 West 56th Street) and The Pogues will also be there on March 15th, 16th and 17th. For tickets go to Bowerypresents.com or Ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000, Now how about that huh?

You are all invited to the Fallen Angel Theatre Company's 2011 Gala Benefit. The benefit will be taking place at the National Arts Club on January 27th.

You will be thrilled to know that they've announced that the honorary patron, Paddy Moloney, will be presented with the prestigious Medal of Honor for lifetime achievement in music by The National Arts Club.

If you cannot attend but wish to donate to Fallen Angel Theatre, please visit fallenangeltheatre.org and click on the 'Donate' button.

The American Irish Historical Society (991 Fifth Avenue) will have a special showing of 'Shaw in Love' on Thursday, January 27th starting at 6pm.

The show, presented in partnership with the George Bernard Shaw Society, explores the relationship between Bernard Shaw and Alice Lockett, his first love.

Howard Kissel, journalist and well-known former critic for the New York Daily News, will emcee the evening and Shaw's letters to Lockett will be read by actor David Rhodes.

This lecture is free for all current members of the American Irish Historical Society, $5 for members of the George Bernard Shaw Society and $10 for members of the general public.

To reserve seats, please call the Society or email Meaghan Doherty at medoherty@aihs.org.

The Adrian Flannelly Show last Saturday featured 'Orangutan: a Memoir' by Colin Broderick (anative of Co. Tyrone) who came to Yonkers in 1988 at age 20.

For the next 20 years, he drank himself into oblivion and became a drug addict... There were failed marriages, car wrecks, hospitals and jail cells which are all recalled in the book.

He blends honesty, comedy, tragedy, failure and success as he achieves his American dream to become a celebrated writer and playwright.

I am sure there are a lot of stories like that out there and I know a few that, thank God, turned out to the good.

All I'll say is Adrian can certainly pick 'em.

I hope to catch up with you for more good news next week.