By Paddy McCarthy
It’s that time of year again and we have a lot of events that I have already mentioned but here are some reminders of some that I know you do not want to miss.
The Installation of the Grand Marshal and his Aides for the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is coming up this weekend on Sunday February 23 at Antun’s from 3pm and I am told there are a few tickets available so hurry up and grab them. The Pope Foundation event is on Friday March 6 in the Pierre Hotel at 7pm and on Saturday March 7 at Antun’s the Cork Association dinner will take place.
Sunday March 8 sees the Irish Festival at Hofstra University and on Wednesday March 11 the Queens Chamber hold their St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon, also at Antun’s from 11am. The St Patrick’s Day Ball is also being held Wednesday March 11 at the Sheridan Hotel on 7th Avenue. The Ireland USA Council’s Luncheon will be held in the Metropolitan Club on Monday March 16 from 11.30am. On the same day the TWU host the Quill Connolly celebration from 5 pm in Transport Hall (195 Montague Street in Brooklyn).
Now this is what I like to hear: James Fallon from Armonk has been awarded The Gentlemen Showcase Honorable Mention from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and we’d like to send him our congratulations. James Fallon is a student at EF Academy. He was nominated by his friend, Stephanie Rivera, for his involvement as the Head Youth Volunteer at Heavenly Productions Foundation and as a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House. Fallon also started “Operation Backpack”, a project where he collects backpacks and school supplies that are given to students around the world who do not have access to these materials for their educational.
James shared why he believes The Gentlemen Showcase is important, saying, “The Gentlemen Showcase unites our communities and illustrates we need to coexist with one another, respect one another, and be willing to make a difference by volunteering to lift others up in this world.”
During this year’s Gentlemen Showcase, more than 200 young men were nominated from schools across the country, including American University, Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, Emory University, Florida State University, Harvard University, Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, University of Colorado, University of Tennessee, University of Texas, University of Utah, and the University of Virginia.
I just got some news and that I wanted to let you know. The Installation Ceremony for the Grand Marshall and Aides for the 2020 White Plains St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Thursday February 27 at the Vintage Restaurant on Main Street in White Plains from 6.30 pm. All are welcome. A $30 donation is suggested for the dinner.
Their Grand Marshal is James J Houlihan and his Aides are Patricia Ann McGuigan, Fran Croughan, Liz Schultz Johnson, Kevin O’Toole, John Cullen Jr. and Kevin Hodapp.
This came in from Mary Reed, US Campaign Director for Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, County Galway. She said the other day was historic and momentous in the West of Ireland, as Mother Máire lay the first brick of the new Monastery at Kylemore. RTÉ were there to capture the day and the mass that followed. Mary would personally like to thank everyone for helping them get that far and thank you for all your continued support. Well done Mary.
Another event that you should not miss is The Irish American Society’s Mineola St. Patrick’s Day Parade. They selected Mike Byrne as Grand Marshal. I am told that the Reception for him is at the Irish-American Center on Sunday February 23 at 5pm. Mike has been an unbelievable promoter of Irish Culture and a well-deserved Grand Marshal for the Mineola parade and I am so sorry that I cannot make it.
The Ireland Chamber of Commerce – USA’s 24th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, March 17 from 9 am to 11 am at The Lotte New York Palace (455 Madison Avenue). While speakers are yet to be announced, there will be performances throughout the breakfast from the Early Petri School of Irish Dance and the FDNY EMS Pipes and Drums, while Mairead Early will be singing the National Anthems. The breakfast is free for member, with tickets at $65 for non-members. To purchase tickets by credit card email Victoria Kamouh at victoria@iccusa.org. You must be registered to attend for security purposes and proper business attire is required.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About once more.