I am still getting over the jet lag from my trip to Japan for the Rugby World Cup and I am sure you all know the results. I am back with all the gossip that I am sure you missed and my Out&About. Please remember that everything I have in this column is to give you an honest approach to everyday life here in New York and not especially because I try to cover a much as I can at this side of the Atlantic. It is also a column intended to give as much news on events that are happening and also ones that I might have missed. So, to all our readers, this is your column and I will print as much information on what is happening and before it happens whether it is news of a bar or restaurant, a concert or arts and fashion. You will read it here and sometimes have a laugh. Now here we go with a couple of events that I am sure will interest you.
The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade have announced they have selected James T. Callahan, General President of the International Union of Operating Engineers, as the Grand Marshal of the 2020 New York City St Patrick’s Day Parade. Mr. Callahan is a long time New Yorker residing on Long Island with his wife Fran and their children.
Mr. Callahan is very proud of his Irish Heritage with grandparents emigrating from County Limerick and County Kerry in the early 1900s. Due to his position as President of the International, Mr. Callahan represents over 400,000 workers in the United States and Canada. Additionally, he is also President of the New York Friends of Ireland.
He will lead the marchers up Fifth Avenue on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in the 259th New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, the world’s oldest and largest civic parade which celebrates the faith of Ireland, Irish heritage and culture.
Sean Lane, Chairman of the Parade Board of Directors, said “We are delighted James Callahan has been selected as our 2020 Grand Marshal. He has contributed so much to the United States and New York. As a major union leader, he is representative of many of the hard-working Irish who immigrated to here in search of a better life. Our community has a strong tradition of union pride and he will make an outstanding and popular Grand Marshal.”
This special event came across my desk that touched my heart and should be supported as you will also see on another page on our ePaper where you will find lot more information. Our community lost a wonderful woman to cancer, Sorcha Sproul. Sorcha was born in Co. Waterford, Ireland and then grew up in Co. Cork, Ireland. Sorcha leaves behind 3 daughters, Shauna, Sophie and Sinead.
Many of you have asked how you can help- here is your chance! A benefit is planned to help raise money for the girls’ education. Please see the ad on page 7 as I said for details. If you would like to reserve a table of ten ahead of time (payment due when you make reservation) or if you are unable to attend the benefit but would like to make a donation, please email: Sproulbenefit@gmail.com. The event is taking place at the Mount Pleasant Community Center (125 Lozza DriveValhalla, New York).
Now for one of the biggest events that is happening this month. On Friday, November 15 the Gaelic Players Association will hold their Annual Ireland-US Gaelic Heritage Awards & Dinner Gala. This night is always a great gathering of friends, who join together to support over 2,300 current players and an ever-growing number of retiring and retired inter county players, protecting their welfare both on and off the pitch.
This year’s dinner will take place on the eve of the much anticipated Super 11s Hurling Tournament in Citi Field on November 16. This promises to be an amazing spectacle, and players and coaches will be in attendance at the Gala dinner. The combination of the dinner event and the hurling tournament make for a very special weekend in the Irish American calendar.
Finbar Furey will return again this year for a special musical performance and their honoree this year is Sean Mulryan, Founder, Chairman and Group Chief Executive of Ballymore Group. Sean is a generous supporter of several GAA Clubs, and is actively involved in the Roscommon GAA Academy. He is a strong advocate of encouraging youth development through sports, and both Sean and Ballymore support numerous charities and communities in the UK and in Ireland.
Now here is another, related event that I am very sure you wull be interested in as well. The Super 11s Hurling scheduled for November 16 comes to the Mets’ Stadium, Citi Field, for the first time, when four of Ireland’s leading teams compete for The Players’ Champions Cup. The current All Ireland Champions, Tipperary, and last year’s Champions and Tournament winners at Fenway Park, Limerick, will join Kilkenny and Wexford to battle for this coveted trophy.
For more information, please contact Carla Capone at (212) 213-1166 or email events@carlacapone.com.
The Consulate General of Ireland New York has announced their November First Friday Networking Breakfast on November 1. The special guest is Conor Twomey, Managing Director of First Derivatives North America. This is a great opportunity to connect with the Irish and Irish American community in the greater New York region. More information visit eventbrite.com/e/first-friday-networking-breakfast-tickets-78620031631, and don’t forget to register.
I am so sorry I missed the birthday party for Donie Carroll. A lot of fellow Irish musicians including Mary Courtney celebrated his birthday fittingly with a guitar shaped cake provided by Michelle Carter and Stephen Gara, who coordinate the annual Jack McAndrew Memorial Trad Tent at the Hudson Valley Irish Fest on the Peekskill Riverfront that I may tell was a huge success and I have to congratulate Dan Dennehy for all his work to make a success.
Don’t forget to check out next week’s paper for a big interview with Sean O’Sullivan and pictures from the announcement of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About once more.