The countdown is on for the biggest Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the world, held in New York City, and The Irish Examiner USA is so proud to be a big part of it as we support it to show our Irishness and promote it in every way possible.
Parade season all started last weekend with two Saint Patrick’s Day parades that took place in Mineola and Queens that went off with great success I might tell yea. I made a mistake in last week’s Out&About where I should have said James Houlihan of Houlihan Parnes Realtors is the Grand Marshal of the White Plains St. Patrick’s Day Parade which will be held on Sunday March 14 and not the Eastchester Parade; so sorry for that.
As I have been saying, the one big event that is very close to my heart is the Cork Association’s Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner that is been held at Antun’s this Saturday. It’s as if is the meeting of the McCarthy’s as you have Denis McCarthy as the Cork Man of the Year and Kathy Byrnes McCarthy as Cork Woman of The Year and, so long as he’s back from Dublin I am sure you will have Larry McCarthy, the new President of the GAA in Ireland and then yours truly will be there as well.
Coming back to Larry McCarthy who just made history as the first overseas candidate to be elected President of the Gaelic Athletic Association, I have to let you know that he’s a Corkman as well, now where would yea get it?
The Martin Mc Guinness Peace Foundation are asking you to sign up for the Chieftain’s Walk. The walk will take place on Sunday March 29 in Derry. Even if you are not able to make the Walk your contribution will go towards funding for the Martin Mc Guinness Peace Foundation. The Foundation was established to celebrate Martin’s life, work and achievements. Martin was a leader, a political activist and an international statesman. He was committed to bringing about social, economic and political change and had a vision of a united and peaceful Ireland brought about through promoting understanding, respect and reconciliation. In pursuance of Martin’s legacy, the Foundation promotes his aims, objectives and progressive ideals locally, nationally and internationally. The Foundation does this through an inclusive program of education, sport, debate, art and culture that is open to all. To register or donate for the walk and to support the foundation please visit register.primoevents.com/ps/event/chieftainswalk2020.
On Friday March 6 the Consulate General of Ireland (345 Park Avenue, 17th Floor) will be holding its next First Friday Networking Breakfast. To celebrate Irish American Heritage Month, their centerpiece will be a conversation with Jean Butler, a leading figure in the world of Irish dance performance best known for originating the female principle roles and co-choreographing Riverdance The Show and Dancing on Dangerous Ground. For over twenty years, Jean has toured the world bringing new expression to traditional dance and in 2006 began working in a contemporary dance context with commissions, residencies and presentations from The Abbey Theatre, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Danspace Project, Dance Festival, Irish Arts Center, The Kennedy Center, Jacob’s Pillow, The Joyce, Project Arts Center and Seamus Heaney Homeplace.
In 2018 Butler founded Our Steps, a non-profit organization committed to the creation and production of artistic and academic initiatives that inspire and expand the way we think about Irish dance history, practice and performance. You can get more information at Ourstepsfoundation.org.
The First Friday breakfast is a great opportunity to connect with the Irish and Irish-American community in the greater New York region. Come along to hear the latest community, cultural and business news. Spread the word!
Please bring valid photo ID to present at reception and don’t forget to register at consulateofirelandnewyork.org.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About once more.