By Paddy McCarthy
OH! I’m back now as I have been shoveling for two days – Monday and Tuesday – with all that snow we had and more to come. Yes, I know it’s winter time but does it have to happen like this as the snow came down in buckets and I do mean buckets. I am already working from home with this pandemic now that is bad enough, well I shouldn’t say that should I, as it could be worse. I am sure that there are people with a lot more problems than I have so I am grateful for that.
The 2020 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade was the first major public event to fall victim to Covid-19 restrictions and the 2021 March will be similarly impacted, parade organizers said during a meeting last week. “We’re being told… that at this point at least, and also by the governor and the mayor, that it’s very unlikely we are going to have a full parade this 2021 year. All other parades are shut down,” the parade’s chairman Sean Lane said during a Zoom call with delegates recently.
For 2021, with an expected winter spike in Covid-19 cases and vaccines that will take some months to have a widespread impact, St. Patrick’s Day parades all over America will likely be postponed or significantly downsized. If some version of the New York City march proceeds, participants would need to undergo a number of health checks.
Hilary Beirne, the parade’s chief administrative officer, said that any sized gathering would require participants to submit two Covid negative tests, the first taken during the week before March 17, and the second a rapid test completed within two days of the 17th. Now let’s be honest, that would be very difficult to administer or next to impossible, who am I to argue?
Now some good news is that The Saint Patrick’s Day media committee are working very hard to create a virtual screening on the BIG day for everyone’s enjoyment. Sadly, while we will not be marching up Fifth Avenue again this year because of the Covid-19 virus, this will not stop the parade happening as we must remember it’s an Irish parade. A lot of great talents have been brought in to assemble and create social and other media to make this one of the most digitally successful screenings from New York with a message for the Irish and the Irish-American community that will be seen across the United States and beyond from New York.
Here are some of the percipients who are giving their time to make this a roaring success. Here we go: Sean Lane, Parade Board chairman, David Altman, Veronica Barry, Hilary Beirne, Andy Cooney, Jennifer Klar, TV producer Mike Mathis, Grahame Curtis, Bridget O’Brien, Scott Presapino and yours truly, Paddy McCarthy. Now where would yea get it with the cream of the crop working to make this a day to remember.
Andy Cooney just sent me a massage that the phone lines are on fire with calls for the 23rd Cruise of Irish Stars. Even in the middle of this major snow storm here in New York with some of the receptionists not being able to make into the office it is all aboard to answer the phones. The office of Travel Professionals has been working very hard receiving messages. It seems like to best way to book is by emailing travelpro@warwick.net and they will get right back to you. Also, you can now call (800) 724-9511 or (854) 651-4441 and Andy says thank you all for your patience, you never know he might invite me on the cruise.
The Consulate General of Ireland in New York are delighted to kick off US Black History Month with their virtual February First Friday Networking Breakfast, featuring special guest Boni Odoemene, one of the founders of the organization Black & Irish.
Boni Odoemene grew up in south Dublin and studied Law at the Dublin Institute of Technology, spending two years as President of the Students’ Union – the first Black President the Union has ever elected. He was selected for the prestigious Washington Ireland Program and spent a summer in DC interning on Capitol Hill before completing a Masters Degree in International Relations. He now works in London, but in his spare time, he posts funny and educational videos about Irish history and Irish identity on TikTok, where he has amassed over 152,000 followers, including many in the US.
Black & Irish was set up to highlight and celebrate the identity of Black and Mixed Race Irish people, and to spread awareness around the world of the experiences, struggles and successes within the community. Join them on February 5 at 8 am to hear Boni speak about what inspired him to found the organization; his TikTok fame on both sides of the Atlantic; and tackling racism.
You can register for the event at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/february-virtual-first-friday-networking-breakfast-tickets-138958896801.
I have to finish off my Out&About with some very sad news from a very good friend of mine Michael Gibbons whose wife Cynthia passed away recently. I’ve met a lot of people in my lifetime and I can tell you that this couple were top of my list. When you walk into a room to meet guests Michael and Cynthia stood right and were always so pleasant with a beautiful greeting and it was always a joy to meet them. We will miss her very deeply and I know her husband just lost not only his wife but his best friend, my deepest condolences.
Cynthia Hungerford Gibbons, died peacefully at home in New York on January 16, 2021. Beloved wife of Mike, mother of Jenny, Jeff, Mike and Laura, mother-in-law of Tim Popp and Jorge Romero, grandmother of Kate, Sophie, Caroline and Olivia. Cynthia was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, she was preceded in death by her two sisters, Bette Jane and Teen. Cynthia was happiest among her extended family which includes many nieces, nephews and cousins. Her life was filled with creativity, love, friendships and joy. She was a gifted and talented painter who had a distinguished career as a curator and art consultant.
Cynthia enjoyed membership in The First Church of Christian Science, Mayflower Society, Colonial Dames, The Four Arts, National Croquet Center, Sedgewood Club, Everglades Club and the Bath and Tennis Club. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Again, my condolences to Michael and his family from myself and the staff of The Irish Examiner. Rest in Peace Cynthia.
Hope to see you all again when I am Out&About again…