I did mention last week about all the County’s Associations having their annual dinner events coming up in the lead up to the Big Day, Saint Patrick’s Day. I am going to tell more about some of them and, as we all have a little bit of Irish in us, you might have a connection to one of those. If you do, you should attend one of them as you will get a céad míle fáilte from all the organizers and of course all the guests, so have a look.
Starting with some of them and it’s going to be exciting and here we go: Longford, Offaly, Cork, Tipperary, Donegal, Kerry, Sligo and Dublin; now that is only a few of them, for information on how you can attend and also to buy tickets you should contact Tom Tuffy, President of the United Irish Counties Association of New York at (914) 774-6997 or check out the ads within the pages of this newspaper.
This came in from our friends at the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Board who have announced a new member of the board. We’re excited because this man has been a great supporter of this publication from day one. Now here we go: “The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is pleased to announce that Dr. Brian J. O’Dwyer Esq. will be joining the Parade’s Board of Directors.
“‘We are delighted to add Brian to our board,’ said Sean Lane, Parade Board Chairman. ‘He and his family have been an important part of the history of this great Parade since the 1930s and it is a honor to welcome a longtime friend of the parade to the board when we will be making decisions concerning the Parade’s future’”
Brian J. O’Dwyer is the immediate past Grand Marshal (2019) and hails from a legendary New York Irish family. He is the son of Paul O’Dwyer who was the President of New York City council from 1974 to 1979 and the nephew of The Honorable William O’Dwyer, former Mayor of New York City. Both Paul O’Dwyer and William O’Dwyer were Grand Marshals of the Parade in 1974 and 1938 respectively.
Brian has been involved in many Irish causes and was an active participant in the Northern Ireland peace negotiations.
He has received many accolades including Grand Marshal of the 258th Parade for his tireless work over the years on behalf of immigrants and Ireland.
“Brian brings to the board knowledge of the Parade and expertise in both the political and legal fields that is unparalleled. The Parade and Foundation are delighted that Brian is being added the Parades’ fiduciary body and we wish him a successful tenure as a board director,” said Hilary Beirne, Chairman NYC St Patrick’s Day Foundation. Now how about that? Well I can only say that this is fabulous!
The Irish Repertory Theatre has been producing hit after hit and that alone is a hit. Another big one coming your way is The Scourge, presented in association with the Wexford Arts Centre whose US Premiere, starring Michelle Dooley will play from January 22 to February 2 in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre. The Scourge is an official selection of the 2020 Origin 1st Irish Festival.
Also don’t forget that London Assurance has had its run extended to February 9 on the Mainstage. Coming soon are Incantata, which will run from February 18 to March 15 and A Touch of a Poet which will be presented from March 25 to May 10 in the Studio Theatre.
You can buy tickets for all these shows from the theatre’s box office at 132 West 22nd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, by calling (212) 255-0270 or online at www.irishrep.org.
Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Board Chairman will be receiving the ‘Favorite Son’ Award from The Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick on Long Island. In recognition of the leadership that he has provided as chairman of the board of directors of Mount Sinai South Nassau and as a member of the board of trustees of the Mount Sinai Health System, as well as his impressive career in accounting and finance, Joseph J. Fennessy will be presented The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick on Long Island 2020 ‘Favorite Son’ Award during the Society’s 34th Emerald Ball and Banquet to be held Saturday, February 29 at Carltun at the Park in East Meadow, New York.
I was at the Cork Association’s 2020 Installation of Officers on Sunday, January 19. It started off with with Mass celebrated by Father Drury for the deceased members at 3pm. Installation and Scholarship Awards followed at 4pm with music by Donie Carrol and John Redmond, who were again just brilliant. It was great to see a lot of guests that I have not seen for awhile like Mary Power, Mary Hurley, Pat Hurley, Tim Murphy, Mae O’Driscoll, Denis McCarthy, Siobhan and Dan Dennehy, and it was also nice to catch up with Tom Tuffy, President of the United Irish Counties Association of New York.
To anyone that has not visited the Cork Association building that is on Greenpoint Avenue that contains the Bantry Bay Bar and Restaurant, let me tell you that it is well worth the visit.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About once more.