The great thing about Easter is it’s a happy time and the daffodils should be ready to bloom. No, I am not losing it, I am just so happy the winter is over and we can now get out and enjoy the beautiful weather.
With the flowering of spring so we enter the prime time of golf season so I have to tell you that one of the most charitable outings is the Annual Eithne and Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Golf Tournament. This year they celebrate their 25th Anniversary in Monday, May 14th. It all happens at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club: 18 holes, a three course dinner and an evening of entertainment with master of ceremonies Ronan Collins and special guests.
The Eithne and Paddy Memorial Fund, was set up by the well-known hotelier John Fitzpatrick in memory of his late parents, Eithne and Paddy. The Memorial Fund works to raise funds in support of a diverse group of worthy organizations across the island of Ireland that focus on a range of much needed initiatives including expanding educational opportunities, helping families and children affected by serious illnesses, delivering social services to the elderly and fostering peace and understanding between people in troubled areas. For more information visit www.fitzpatrickmemorial.org.
The Irish Business Organization will be having a Young Professional Networking Event on Thursday, April 5th from 7pm to 9pm at a location to be announced.This event is for under 40s IBO Young Professionals and is a networking event where you have the chance to connect and talk business with like minded Irish and Irish-Americans in New York. For more information contact them at (212) 750-8118 or email info@IBONewYork.org.
The Irish Arts Center (553 West 51st Street) will have longtime collaborators and pillars of the Irish Arts Center artistic family, Mick Moloney and Athena Tergis return to their intimate theater for an exclusive weekend of performances as a duo, with special guests, culminating in a closing night performance to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Green Fields of America.
For over fifteen years, Moloney and Tergis have stood together at the forefront of traditional Irish music. Moloney has been awarded the National Heritage Award, the Presidential Distinguished Service Award, and the TG4 Outstanding Contribution Award, and combines the careers of professional musician, folklorist, musicologist, teacher, and arts presenter.
Acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic, Tergis is a frequent soloist with the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra and has written and performed with Riverdance composer Bill Whelan. As a duo, these masters embody a special chemistry—a collaboration transcending tradition and uplifting audiences in Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cuba, and throughout the USA.
The events will be held April 5th through 7th and tickets are $40, or $32 for members. Contact their box office at (866) 811-4111 or email info@irishartscenter.org.
Concern’s Spring Run will also be held on April 7th, starting at 9:30am in Central Park at 102nd Street and East Drive. Join their community of over 1,000 Spring Runners for a 4-mile run or walk in Central Park, in support of Concern’s work fighting extreme poverty in 26 countries across the globe.
For 50 years, Concern has partnered with communities all over the world to help millions of people in need. Our work focuses on the poorest — farmers struggling to grow enough food, mothers lacking basic healthcare and nutrition for their children, and families forced to flee their homes due to conflict or disaster.
Poverty is complicated, but it can be eliminated. Your support turns hope into reality, making the world a better place for future generations. Turn your concern into action today by registering for the 20th Annual Concern Spring Run! Together, you can truly make a world of difference. All are welcome and you can get more information from events.usa@concern.net.
Heavenly Productions Foundation’s (HPF) 3rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Concert was performed at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital on Friday, March 16th for Pediatric patients and their families in the main lobby. Award winning Irish musicians Dawn Doherty (tin whistle) and Erin Loughran (violin) performed melodious Irish tunes that brightened the spirits of everyone there.
HPF’s Executive Board Member Dr. Kathy Reilly Fallon sang Irish music songs with Dawn Doherty. HPF’s Stephanie Rivera recited two Irish children’s stories. HPF’s Board Member Sheryl Nolletti and volunteer Teresa O’Neill distributed Irish themed hats, lollipops, necklaces, cupcakes and HPF pens to all the Pediatric patients and their parents.
“It was a wonderful infusion of Irish music, song and stories that was enjoyed by all who gathered at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital lobby” according to HPF’s Stephanie Rivera.
Finally, we’d like to congratulate James Fallon of Armonk, New York, for being chosen as a Distinguished Finalist in Prudential’s Spirit of Community Awards program.
James, aged 16 and a sophomore at Pomfret School, has been an active volunteer for seven years with a foundation that supports kids in need in New York and around the world, and recently led a drive that collected enough money and books to start a library at a school in Rwanda. James volunteers hundreds of hours a year on school supply initiatives through the foundation, and has also served meals at a nearby Ronald McDonald House. Good on yea, James!
See you all next week when I am Out&About once more.