By Paddy McCarthy
I hope you all had a nice Saint Patrick’s Day even though it was a bit different than normal Saint Patrick’s Days in the past. We all know the reason for that as with the Covid-19 pandemic we have to be very careful with the rules we have to abide by. Wearing a mask, washing your hands and especially social distancing. I have to say that in New York the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade did some unique things that have not been done before including an excellent celebration video. The man behind that was none other than Michael Mathis who produced it for all to see and the response was just fabulous. I was especially happy to be part of the social media committee and having ZOOM meetings every week to make sure all went so professionally. I have to thank Hilary Beirne, Parade Chairman Sean Lane and Board members who worked very hard to make it a success and it was let me tell yea. Have you viewed the special Saint Patrick’s Day video? You can find it together with an excellent video of 4-year-old Emma Sophia Ryan singing “Danny Boy” on our website at www.irishexaminerusa.com. I can tell yea the latter video is just brilliant and she comes from one of my favorite places: Kinsale, County Cork. It’s just beautiful and will bring a tear to your eye.
I was at the Nassau County AOH Division 20’s Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Lunch at Saint James Irish Bar and Restaurant (190 2nd St, Mineola) on Saturday from 1pm to 5pm. It was well organized by President of AOH Division 20 Joe McDonald and with corned beef and cabbage and a nice pint of Guinness to wash it down ahh where would yea get it? The music was supplied by Harper’s Ferry who I might say played very well and were very entertaining. It was held out doors in the back of Saint James in a huge tent with plenty of space to social distant again and there was a very nice turnout.
I am sure by now that you all know about the sale of one of Ireland’s gems, The American Irish Historical Society’s home is up for sale! The present owners, the American Irish Historical Society, acquired the mansion in 1939. Founded in 1897, the Society has used the mansion to house a massive library of 10,000 volumes (including the first printing of the Bible into the Irish language in 1685), a huge collection of vinyl records, and letters from the White House from FDR who was a member of the Society. Unique art and music events have been held in this home, often in conjunction with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other neighboring cultural institutions. This is a sad case for this to happen it is the one place that is open to everyone for events or just to view their collection from the moment you come in the door. For our part here at The Irish Examiner USA we are proud to support any actions to keep this building on Fifth Avenue preserved as The American Irish Historical Society forever to make sure it will always be part of who we are. As of 2011, members included “prominent doctors, writers, lawyers and even some boldface names like Liam Neeson.” It continues to hold a “vast collection of rare books” and hold various cultural events such as poetry readings and concerts.
Kevin M. Cahill is president-general emeritus of the American-Irish Historical Society. With around 10,000 volumes, it “maintains the most complete private collection of Irish-American and Irish literature and history in the United States.” The society publishes a journal entitled The Recorder and hosts cultural and historical events. During the holiday seasons of 2016 and 2017, AIHS was home to the Irish Repertory Theatre’s production of “The Dead, 1904”. The show was an adaptation of James Joyce’s “The Dead”, adapted by novelist Jean Hanff Korelitz and her husband, Irish poet, Paul Muldoon. For The Dead, 1904, the building had 57 guests at a time, who for part of the performance joined the cast for a holiday feast drawn from the original novella. The Dead, 1904, continued to run until 2018. In January 2021, the headquarters was placed on sale for $52 million “to best enable the Society to pursue its cultural and scholarly mission in a sustainable manner.” However, The New York Times subsequently reported. that AIHS had encountered organizational and financial difficulties in the preceding years, exacerbated by restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020. Among those who objected to the proposed sale was Irish Minister Simon Coveney.
The Irish Repertory Theatre has said the pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for arts organizations around the country. The Irish Rep is working hard to adapt, but they can’t do it without your support. They ask how you’d like to engage with Irish Rep over the coming months, both online and eventually in-person. If you are a Tri-State resident, would you take five to ten minutes of your valuable time to respond to a survey – knowing that your answers will help them make the right choices in this critical time? The survey closes at 12 pm EDT on March 26th. Your answers are anonymous. No sales or fundraising is involved. This survey is part of a national study to support arts and cultural organizations in making informed decisions about reopening. Your input continues to be extremely helpful.
You can access the survey online at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6233215/Irish-Rep-COVID-19-Audience-Outlook-Monitor. This research is supported by Theatre Development Fund.
Don’t forget that all nine of their 2020 Performances on Screen are now available to rent from Broadway on Demand. From “Molly Sweeney” to “Meet Me in St. Louis”, you can now watch (or re-watch) the productions that inspired TheaterMania to call them “the leader in streaming theater” on your own time! Rentals are $25 per production with access for 48 hours from the time you check-out. Discounts and complimentary rentals are available for Irish Rep members. To learn more visit www.irishrep.org.
I hope to see you Out&About when this pandemic is over. Until then, be safe and well.