By Paddy McCarthy
It was a very somber weekend that touched the hearts of everybody who is anybody, marking the tragedy of 9-11, on its 20th Anniversary. I watched the coverage on television from start to finish and boy I did shed some tears watching the reciting of the names of all the victims of this horrible terrorist attack that claimed the lives of so many wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, family, friends and neighbors, some of whom that I personally knew. We will never forget, RIP.
It is with respect that I am going to follow up in the same frame of mind with another sad announcement of a dear friend who was so respected in the Irish community who I did a little obituary on last week. The United Irish Counties Association of New York sent me this announcements that I am including in my Out&About this week. The first one is of Laurence J McEvoy. “Larry passed away on August 28th at home in Murray Hill, Manhattan, New York after a tough fight with cancer. Born in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, Ireland on May 28th, 1941, he was 80 years old. Larry was a man of constant enthusiastic energy and happy welcome. A man of loving heart for all whom he held dear and an ardent defender of those suffering injustices in Ireland, in the US and across the world.
“As a boy reared in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, Ireland he was raised in his family clothing shop and dairy with a keen eye towards athletics and study. He attended Knockbeg College, Co. Carlow followed by seminary training at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome for some years. He then attended University College Dublin School of Agriculture, eager to be part of the modernization of farming in Ireland. He began a duck hatchery in Mountmellick, determined to take a scientific approach to the enterprise. In university he also took on a leadership role of the Ag. Society hosting seminars, travel and dances.
“In these college years in Dublin he met his wife Judith Hearnden, whom he married in the UCD Chapel in 1972. Spurred by the eruption of brutality by the British government in response to the Civil Rights movement in the north of Ireland, their violent occupation as well as other de-colonial struggles around the world he turned his sights towards studying International Relations in New York City. Here he achieved his Masters at The CUNY Graduate School and attended NYU, beginning in 1971. In this new environ of the Irish diaspora and the international City he found his life’s calling, working towards a United Ireland and a de-colonized world. Upon graduation he went to work at the United Nations Indonesian Mission as a speechwriter from 1977 to 2002 with a focus on the economies of the non-aligned nations. He dedicated himself as well to civil rights work in the US.
“In 1974 he helped found the Irish Freedom Show (Irish Circle) on cable TV in the tri-state area, giving voice to the Irish civil rights movement with news, editorials, debate and interviews both political and cultural. Some highlights of the show’s 16 years on cable include interviews with Irish revolutionary Dr. Nora Connelly, who served in the 1916 Rising alongside her father James Connelly; Joe Doherty, while imprisoned at the Metropolitan Correctional Center; John Stalker, whose inquiry uncovered the British “shoot-to-kill” policy; as well as supporting the 1981 Hunger Strikers families.
“In the late 1970s he founded Celtic Productions which promoted and distributed documentaries of both the freedom struggle and realities in the north of Ireland, as well as Irish music and dance productions. He also provided video services to the broader Irish community. In 1978 he and Judy began their family. They moved to Bellerose, Queens, NY in 1982 to raise their 4 boys. They eventually moved back to Manhattan in 2015.
“He was a fast friend and believed in bringing people together. He took great pride in his roles as President, then Vice President with Mike Dunphy in the County Laois Association, every year unfurling their proud banner in the New York City St Patrick’s Day Parade. Here too in the United Irish Counties he found himself early on speaking up for an inclusive parade for LGBTQ participation as well as standing tall as the first county association to participate in the St Paddy’s For All Parade in Queens NY. In his last years he supported and advocated for Irish solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, including within Ancient Order of Hibernians.
“Not a man to ever fully retire he began a vending business, LJ Enterprises, which brought him to meet people across the City and Nassau County, most happily with his friends at the horse stables on the west side of Manhattan.He was a happy grandfather who delighted in his grandchildren, all within reach of the City, taking well deserved trips in the US, around the world and back home to his family in Ireland.
“Larry is survived by his loving wife Judy (née Hearnden) McEvoy in their 50th year of marriage, his sisters Elizabeth, Jass (Marty Meinardi), Grace McEvoy and Rovena (Michael) McCarthy all of Co. Dublin, as well as his brother Fr. Patrick J McEvoy of Edenderry, Co. Offaly. He is predeceased by his elder sister Mary McEvoy (David O’Brien) and his young brother John. He was beloved by his 4 sons who survive him, Rory (Grainne Coen) of Sag Harbor, NY; Cormac (Stephanie Wheat) of Little Falls, NJ; Shane (Tsedeye Gebreselassie) of Flatbush, Brooklyn and Hugh (Fiona Macabrey) of Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, NY. He is missed by his 6 grandchildren Moira, Eamonn, Aisling, Bennett, Lochlan and Oisín.
“His funeral mass will be held at 12 noon, September 18th, 2021 in the Church of Our Saviour (59 Park Avenue). We miss his joy, as do the many friends and comrades he has made along the way.I am going to add my piece on Larry as that is what I always called him because in his company it was always a bit of craic and a laught because he was just a great caracter and been in his company was just joyous. RIP. ‘Hold fast to dreams’ Tiochaidh ár lá”
Now here is another announcement from a group that I always support and that is the HOPe Charity. They will be holding their Helping Other People Annual Dinner on Tuesday October 12th from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Manhattan Manor at Rosie O’Grady’s (201 West 52nd Street on Seventh Avenue). Celebrate HOPe’s positive impact on people’s lives in the developing world. Get updates on HOPe’s latest global projects, and hear stories of resilience and rebuilding from their partners on the ground.
This year’s Celtic Spirit Award Honorees are Mickey Coleman and Erin Loughran. Music will be performed by Sean Fleming while you enjoy a hot buffet dinner, dessert, cash bar and prize raffle. The event is sponsored by Mike Carty.
President Attracta Lyndon noted that funds raised continue to support important health and nutrition programs in Peru, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. RSVP at www.hope-charity.org/events/2021/10/12/hope-annual-dinner.
The latest NYC COVID protocols will be observed. Donations are gratefully accepted at venue or PayPal at www.paypal.com/donate?token=kYUzQF_hfbhVMP9Noc1J6JkmfFDY__saBALQpMUgTiEe3J0fZQNp46XbIibWwTds19W02PQPgKIl7Bar
I am traveling to Ireland on Friday for a special occasion. I might as well tell yea, my sister Mary’s son Gordon is getting married on Sherkin island just off Baltimore, West Cork.
Here is a little information on the beautiful Sherkin Island. Baltimore harbor is bounded in the west by the island of Sherkin, or Inis Arcáin. The island is just three miles long, one mile wide and has a unique beauty and variety of landscape, at the same time both tranquil and breathtaking.
There is a choice of sandy beaches — Trabawn, Cow Strand and, the largest, Silver Strand. All are safe for bathing and ideal for children. Alternatively, take a stroll along quiet leafy lanes, explore the old lighthouse or the ruined Franciscan friary, commonly known as the ‘Abbey’.
Dating from 1460, the Abbey was sacked in 1537 by angry seafarers from Waterford in retaliation for the seizure and speedy consumption of 100 tons of their wine by the local O’Driscoll clan. Dún na Long (fort of the ships) is the ruined O’Driscoll castle just north of the pier, a good spot to appreciate the beauty of Baltimore Harbor.
There is accommodation on the island and meals can be enjoyed at both the local pubs. Here, as evening descends, you can try a taste of Sherkin’s legendary nightlife with formal or informal music sessions during the summer months.
Sherkin, with its relaxed atmosphere, is a favorite retreat for many of Ireland’s best known musicians escaping the rigors of the mainland circuit. Local crafts, including knitwear, silverwork, jewelry, wrought iron, candlesticks and decorative silk scarves, are on sale at the Island Craft and Information Shop near Baltimore pier.
There is a regular ferry service between Baltimore and Sherkin. The journey takes only a few minutes.
Now you know what I’ll be doing, together, of course with some libation I suppose, ha, ha.
Hope to see you all again next week as I will give you some gossip from Ireland as I am Out&About. Now what happens in Ireland stays in Ireland, where did I hear that again? C