By Paddy McCarthy
It has been a very heavy week with all that is going on in this great country that I emigrated to back in the early 80s. I am still very proud that I decided to come here to New York, I personally did not anticipate that I would live here for my future, but here I am. Yes, I got married here to a very nice lady called Patricia and I’m so proud of my two children Christina and James who are doing so well in their different professions. I hope I said all this right as they are now Irish/American and they are very proud of it as well.
Getting back to what has happened in the last couple of weeks since the death of George Floyd RIP, followed by the protests and Covid-19 that has hurt all of our communities. The point I am making now is we are all in this together to make things right and I know we can if we first and foremost cool down and be safe and well, look after each other and to talk to each other in a calm atmosphere. We have to get through both the protesting and the virus as we are at a very delicate time and again, we just need some time out.
Because I have a word and I can say it in this Irish Examiner USA column and not be political all we have to do is respect each other and that is what my mother Christina taught me with never any class distinction. Look, this is the most beautiful country in the world, besides Ireland (I have to put that in that I love both). I think I have said enough and as you can see, I am a little bit worried about all of it, especially with all the businesses that are closed, though hopefully for not too much longer.
Now I am getting back to Irish bars, restaurants and hotels that are closed. Talking about hotels I just seen John Fitzpatrick, owner of the Fitzpatrick Hotels in New York City talking on RTÉ radio about one of his hotels being closed thanks to the coronavirus that has been spreading and it is sad to hear about it. He was optimistic about things starting to open up in a short period soon and that was good to know. Yes, it is getting much better as it has slowed down from what it was a couple of months ago with everyone been cautious and wearing masks and gloves. We have to get everything back to normal and get the country going again as the economy was just flying with everyone working, so let’s put our heads down and do it again.
The pandemic has changed everything in the hospitality business, which is so sad, and has hurted thousands of bars and restaurants all over the country. My own experience is here in New York City where well known Irish establishments have closed down for good and most of the problem is that the landlords will not give them a break.
I am going to name a few that have closed their doors, owned by people who are great friends of mine and have been very supportive of The Irish Examiner down through the years. I will start with O’Lunney’s (145 West 45th Street, New York), Foley’s (18 West 33rd Street, between 5th & 6th Avenues), Stout Grand Central (60 East 41st Street, Between Park and Madison Avenues), Stout (133 West 33rd Street), Pig ‘N’ Whistle (144 West 46th Street), Pig ‘N’ Whistle (922 3rd Avenue), Woodhaven House (63-98 Woodhaven Blvd), PJ Moran’s (3 East 48th Street) and that is only some of thosed that are gone.
As you can see all these bars and restaurants were well established here in the Big Apple and well known in Ireland too when a lot of Tourist traveled over on holidays and felt at home when they visited these fine locations; it is so sad to see them go. They are all well know as I said with lots of history attached to them and all were like home from home and we will miss them so badly.
As the following note from Dan Dennehy informs us, we have failed: “One marvels at the persistence shown by the government in its effort to rid the United States of a good man, a true asset to his adopted country. May God bless Malachy McAllister and keep him and his family safe.
“Malachy visited Ortho Doc today… Broken clavicle, Broken rib, Neck sprain, Potential nerve damage. All could be exacerbated by travel, two doctors now have advised not to travel. ICE officer said all will be cared well on the flight over! I assume that means an air ambulance flight. I cannot imagine the expense DHS are going to to send this great man home, broken but unbowed, in the middle of a pandemic.”
Dan, the AOH National Director & National Immigration Chair, Hudson Valley Irish Center & Fest Founding Chair has been working tirelessly to save Malachy from been deported along with an army of volunteers, good on yea Dan.
See you all again WHEN I am Out&About…