By Paddy McCarthy
It seems to be happening as little by little things are getting back, well I won’t say to normal, not yet. We have spent well over a year looking like bandits, as we had to, I must say with our masks on because of this pandemic. Now this pandemic is, as we all know by now, a very dangerous sickness that has taken the lives of a lot of people young and old. I am just trying to look on the brightside as we all just went through Hell worrying about it and getting the vaccine to help stave it off and it worked right? Just remember this pandemic has no favorites and struck all walks of life.
Now the good news is that people are beginning see things happening that they did not see for a very long time. In Ireland, you have beauty salons and hairdressers opening, with the construction industry almost back to full employment. Supermarkets and fashion stores are also back, as well as, in New York, the restaurant and bar business also nearly back to full capacity; now that is what I am talking about. The most important opening to come now is the SCHOOLS as I do feel very bad for parents who have had to change their way of life especially those with both parents working and had to change their whole lives to take care of the kids who were home-schooled for over a year. I really feel so sorry for them, not only did they have to stay home with their families but the money was not coming in as it should have been either and these are the people I feel for so much. All I can say is better days are coming, think positive, be happy and look straight ahead for the beautiful future that will come I know it.
As for the beach, it’s crying out for me and my sunburn as usual; no matter what cream or spray I put on it gets me and every year. I would say that’s it no more beach for me and of course here I go back again for more punishment. It was the very same way back in Ireland when all the family hopped on the train and went down to Youghal, County Cork for the day, boy do I miss it. I live on Long Island and as I say it’s like living on a beach, that’s right because no matter what part you live there it’s never far from a beach. Now in Ireland mostly you have to travel a good few miles to get to one and you know what? It’s always well worth it once you’ve got the weather and if I had to mention them all I could take up the whole paper. So, the best advice I have for you if you will be traveling over to Ireland, is to check with Tourism Ireland. Try to get of of their broachers as it will have all the information that you need. If you require information on travelling to Ireland and what to do and see while here, you may find what you are looking for at www.ireland.com – the website for travelers to Ireland.
I just got news from The Irish Repertory Theatre on the latest show that will be screened digitality called “The Man who Wanted to Fly”, boy did I always want to do that myself! On a serious note you have to tune into this one as it is directed by a past colleague of mine, Frank Shouldice from Dublin.
This digital New York film premiere of the “irresistible” (Irish Independent) documentary, “The Man Who Wanted to Fly” is produced by Trisha Canning and Cormac Hargaden of Loosehorse Productions.
“The Man Who Wanted to Fly” tells the irresistible story of 80-something bachelor farmer Bobby Coote from Cavan who has had a lifelong dream to fly a plane. Enlisting the help of his neighbour Seán, the two set out to build their own field of dreams, cutting out a runway in Sean’s farm and even building a hangar in this small rural community.
Bobby will get no encouragement from his brother Ernie, another octogenarian in the Coote family home. Ernie thinks the whole thing is daft, but Bobby is determined to take to the skies if it’s the last thing he does.
Capturing the wonder of one man’s dreams, The “Man Who Wanted to Fly” is a unique journey into a disappearing border hinterland and is sure to delight audiences all over the world. The cast of “The Man Who Wanted to Fly” features Bobby Coote, Ernie Coote, Seán McBride, and Gerry Snodden. The Man Who Wanted to Fly is edited by Emer O’Clery and features cinematography by Dave Perry and original music composed by Giles Packham.
Following acclaimed festival screenings at the Galway Film Fleadh, Guth Gafa and winner of the Audience Award at the IFI Documentary Film Festival, “The Man Who Wanted to Fly” landed in cinemas across Ireland in March of 2019.
The Virtual Film Screening Showing will run from Tuesday May 25 to Wednesday May 26. On Tuesday there will be a free screening at 7 pm, with screenings at 2 pm and 7 pm on Wednesday.
Reservations are free but required to access this digital event. A donation of $10 is suggested for those who can afford to give. You can register on their website at irishrep.org or contact the Box Office at (212) 727-2737.
I am not a big book reader, but I do suggest you read these as during the lockdown I started reading them. Here is a selection that I recommend. Two are from a great friend of mine James McKeon who also writes some nice columns for The Irish Examiner USA on a weekly basis. The two books written by James are “PADDY NOBODY”, which is hilarious and “Smile You’re Dead” which is about an a professional assassin with one last job and his target is an Irish Cardinal. I’ll tell you no more as you have got to read them for yourself. I can only say that they are just brilliant.
See you all again next week when I am out and about…