By Paddy McCarthy
You know how lucky we are that here in North America you still have some beautiful people in all of the Irish communities that keep our traditions going. It’s not hard work for them a life vocation of life and how they volunteer to keep everything together with no rewards.
Yes, we do have all the Saint Patrick’s Day parades all over the country for one day and also all the County dinner dances that again are just great for everyone to meet and greet on this one special day each year.
Now I am not taking anything away from all this as they are so wonderful and put together by hardworking volunteers and not much appreciation for the work that they put into it, no blaming anybody so don’t jump off your stool just making an observation on what I see.
Now back to what got me going on about all of this is because I was at the Irish American Society Of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Hall in Mineola in Long Island last Saturday night. The celebration was for the 88th Annual Installation and selection of the new President and board of officers and with a capacity audience it was a blast.
Who would I be sitting with? None other than Eileen Cronin one of the top Irish presenters on Hofstra University WRHU 88.7 FM? Now that is something and we talked a lot of gossip; again what would you expect hah. She is one of the best know Irish DJs on this side of the Atlantic and you won’t believe this: she gives her time at no expense to anybody and never misses a cue and has been doing it for a lot of years.
She is funny, grumpy now and then in a good way but mostly she is a true professional and should be congratulated for all she does for the Irish and others, keep it going Eileen we need you.
Now back to the event. It was a night that started out with Tony Jackson, Master of Ceremonies and followed by with music by Tommy Clyne and chaired by Betty McLoughlin, Helen Long and Philomena Nicaj. It was what I call a wonderful event as it was also the occassion of the election of the new President of the Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Society and her name is Brigid McNulty and all the officers as well and board of directors.
Following the installation, we were served by some delicious food and then a watched the presentation of scholarships to two recipients, followed by the Donny Golden Dancers who were just brilliant.
Here’s a little news that Shane Humphries sent in to me regarding an Imbolg/St. Brigid’s Day celebration on Saturday, February 1 from 4 pm to 6 pm that is a fundraiser for a women’s transitional residence, The Dwelling Place of NY on West 40th Street. As Shane reports: “The event is hosted by a group I am a member of, Nollaig na mBan NY – we celebrate the 4 ancient Celtic fire festivals (Imbolg; Beltaine; Lunasa and Samhain) as fundraisers for the Dwelling Place of NYC. I will be teaching how to weave a St. Brigid’s cross. There will be great musicians and actors donating their time and talents to help the Dwelling Place of NY”
The celebration take place at the Ripley-Grier Studios (520 8th Avenue, Room 16L) and there is a suggested donation of $20. Light refreshments will be served. You can also review their ad on another page in the ePaper.
It was so sad to hear about Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter accident along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a tragic accident in California on Sunday morning. He was one of the greatest basketball players in modern time and will never be forgotten, rest in peace Kobe.
I have to now tell you about a personal friend of mine who also passed away last weekend after another freak accident as he fell and fractured his head. Kevin Caroll wrote the famous song ‘The Bandon Car’ that was recorded by the one and only Jimmy Crowley that became a big hit back in Ireland. RIP Kevin.
I was very proud to promote Kevin in Ireland before I immigrated. I have to give thanks to another great musician Donie Carroll for supplying me the information when he toured here a couple of years ago that I sadly missed. Kevin was from Douglas, Co Cork and was a modern-day singer/songwriter who drew his inspiration from the world around him. Kevin was well known all over Ireland even though he was not the headliner but he supported the biggest of stars who requested him as the support act from the likes of John Prine, Christy Moore, Carlen Carter (Johnny Cash’s daughter), Jimmy Crowley, Ronnie Drew, Paddy Reilly, and lots more who all loved him for his professional approach. Kevin was always a big favorite with the audience of the Adrian Flannery Irish Radio Show. We will miss him for his humor and his friendship.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About once more.