I must be popular as I have had hundreds of inquiries asking where is my Out&About this week and now I can tell you. I had it ready on Tuesday when lo and behold the power went out and I thought did we pay the electricity bill or not? It wasn’t that though, it was the storm that knocked out power to all the houses all around us and guess what, we only got it back on Saturday afternoon, so that’s my excuse and I’m am sticking by it.
As my mother would say, better late than never so here we go and again, thanks for your understanding. It has been a tough week with a few people passing away. Last issue we did mention that James (Jim) Cagney, beloved husband of Bridget passed away in his sleep RIP. Jim passed away peacefully in his sleep beside the love of his life, Bridget M. Cagney, in their home in Sunnyside, Queens on July 28. Jim was raised in Gibbings Grove House in the parish of Milford Co. Cork. He was the son of the late Michael and Nora (neé Drinan) Cagney and was predeceased by his siblings Michael J., Aileen and Cornelius Vincent (Vin) Cagney. A historic home and a hub of equestrian pursuits, Gibbings Grove was the seat of the family of the same name from the seventeenth to the late nineteenth centuries before the Cagney family purchased it circa 1896.
Jim adored Bridget and their relationship was a joy to watch and share in any, even small, way. He will be missed by his wide circle of friends in New York; their wonderful neighbors (especially Mel and Nora); his brothers-in-law and sisters-in law; and his nieces and nephews. Most of all, he will always be lovingly remembered and missed by Bridget with whom he had shared so much of his rich life. He was truly Bridget’s soulmate and theirs was a model romance. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. I wanted to yell again about this beautiful couple to see how they approached life with lots of Love.
I just got this nice piece on John Hume from Trina Y. Vargo of the US-Ireland Alliance who is a good friend of The Irish Examiner USA. It said that for all the contributions that many made, no one did more to bring peace to Northern Ireland than John Hume. His vision was decades ahead of everyone else. His commitment never wavered, he just had to wait for everyone else to catch up with him. Trina said that it was an honor to have worked with him. John could be who he was, and do what he did, because of steadfast support of his fantastic wife, Pat. Her thoughts are with Pat and their family at this time. Now wasn’t that very nice and well said so thank you Trina.
Now here is also some very important information on a legend John Hume and for all the work he has done for Ireland. John Hume (18 January 1937 – 3 August 2020) was an Northern Irish politician who served as the second Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) from 1979 to 2001. A native of Derry, he was a founding member of the SDLP, and was co-recipient of the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize with David Trimble. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament and a Member of the UK Parliament, as well as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Hume is regarded as one of the most important figures in the recent political history of Ireland and one of the architects of the Northern Ireland peace process. He was also a recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Award, the only person to receive the three major peace awards. In 2010 he was named “Ireland’s Greatest” in a public poll by Irish national broadcaster RTÉ to find the greatest person in Ireland’s history. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI made Hume a Knight Commander of the Papal Order of St. Gregory the Great. Rest in Peace.
I have been told that Slainte 2020 is still in need of donations as they have already dispensed all monies they have received to date. Spearheaded by Aisling Irish Center, Emerald Isle Immigration Center, NY GAA, NY Irish Center & United Irish Counties this is a collective fundraising effort assisting the Irish community in the tri-state area. If you are a member of the Irish community who can demonstrate genuine financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 crisis and have very limited or no access to other sources of fiscal aid you can apply for assistance. To make a personal donation, please visit: www.Slainte2020.org, or mail donation to: Sláinte 2020-COVID-19 fund, 990 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704Country Bank Account Details: Account number: 201 0000 7771 Routing Number: 021911369 .This should be supported as it is a superb cause.
Well, here is one party that I would definitely fit in with, ha ha… In anticipation of and preparation for its milestone 10th anniversary on March 17, 2021, Sober St. Patrick’s Day® Foundation, Inc. (SSPDF) Board of Directors announced today the selection of Tami Ellen McLaughlin as its new Executive Director. “We believe family fun on the Irish national day is a vital option for dismantling harmful Irish stereotypes, raising the awareness of binge drinking, particularly among young people, and reclaiming what St. Patrick’s Day is about,” explained Founder and Board Chairman William Spencer Reilly.
I will have lots more on the Sober event in the next issue if I’m sober. See you next week WHEN I am out and About…