By Paddy McCarthy
I had a night to remember last Wednesday when I went to see a play at The Irish Repertory Theatre with my arts editor Brad Balfour. The show we went to see was Autumn Royal by Kevin Barry, of course he was from Cork. It was directed by the maestro himself Ciaran O’Reilly and starred Maeve Higgins and John Keating and it runs until December 12. As we entered the foyer of the theatre lo and behold who was standing there was the man himself Ciaran O’Reilly, I am not sure but was he checking to see that I was coming to the show, just kidding. Now I was not there as a critic for the paper only as a patron to enjoy the show, and I did. Maeve Anna Higgins is an Irish comedian from Cobh, County Cork, based in New York while John Keating is from Tipperary in Ireland and has been a New York based theatre and TV/film actor since 1994 .Now where would yea get it? Do the Cork and Tipperary people love each other ha-ha, not when they are playing each other in Hurling, but off the field they’re the best of friends. Now how would I know all this, well my dad Tom McCarthy, RIP, was from Tipperary town and that is where we spent all our school holidays. The excitement of it all, getting off the train at Limerick Junction and the horse and cart into town… ahh those were the days so happy. My late mam Christina (Chrissy Mac) was a Cork City woman and they got on like a house on fire, they had 10 kids… of course no television ha-ha. Back to Autumn Royal, just go and see it before it finishes – you will love it and it stars quality actors and of course a brilliant director, what more can I say? Only book now!
This is what I do when I am Out&About and of course having a pint after the show at one of the Irish hospitality houses then you say wow what a great evening. Okay, Thanksgiving is here would yea believe it? the year is almost over it must be turkey time again. I genuinely love Thanksgiving Day as it is a day that you try and get all the family together and celebrate the coming of the biggest day of the year and that of course is Christmas. In case I might forget, I want to wish all our readers and our sponsors a very Happy Thanksgiving Day and remind you to enjoy what you have as it has been a rough two years with this pandemic and some families did not fare too well with it. I try not to be a Debbie-downer only I also lost a lot of friends, RIP. Yes, I know we have to carry on, but we never forget. I do get sentimental always around this time as that is when I lost my brother Kevin by an unfortunate accident and my mother who also passed away in the Christmas holiday. Now to a happier time and that is Christmas shopping – it’s here and if you don’t want to be hussling and bustling all over the place I recommend Crafters of Ireland. This came from a lady in Tipperary, Ireland who is a great fan of The Irish Examiner USA who was also featured in last week’s digital newspaper. Crafters of Ireland offer unique handmade Irish art, Irish crafts and Irish gifts by our very finest. They have come together with some of Ireland’s most talented artisans, crafters and designers who create high quality hand made products such as jewelry, candles, soaps, glass art, paintings apparel, prints and many other bespoke items. I have to say that she has something for everybody and her name is Bernadette Clancy.
Here is her story: it was through her mentoring and business advice clinics (LEOs, Enterprise Ireland, New Frontiers) that Bernie met hundreds of people who owned micro-businesses and heard their stories the challenges they faced and the struggle they had as they jostled with their competitors for a place in the market. She found it was those in the arts, crafts and design segment that struggled most. This group stood out to her and she designed a platform unlike others to showcase their goods across Europe and the US. Crafters of Ireland was formed and she selected some of the best artists, crafters and designers she could find, all producing handmade beautiful gifts, a range of glassware both bespoke crystal and fused glass, hand poured luxury chocolates, handwoven baskets, herbal elixirs and remedies, designer silver jewelry, handmade quilts, personalized hand made products such as fairy doors, slate signs, ceramics and hand woven scarves, Celtic greeting and Christmas cards and t-shirts, beautifully designed handbags, bespoke gift boxes, organic male gift sets, mom and baby gifts, organic perfumed oils, soaps and lotions, Ireland gift boxes, handmade candles and more. With news of Crafters of Ireland reaching the US their journey now continues to bring the best Irish based handmade gifts for all occasions or just to spoil yourself with. So don’t delay, check out what they have in store for you at www.craftersofireland.com.
Long Island Cares Inc. brings together all available resources for the benefit of the hungry and food-insecure on Long Island and, to the best of their ability, provides for the humanitarian needs of the community. Their goals are to improve food security for families, sponsor programs that help families achieve self-sufficiency, and educate the general public about the causes and consequences of hunger on Long Island. Their vision is “A Hunger Free Long Island”. Founded in 1980 by singer-songwriter and activist, Harry Chapin, Long Island Cares is one of almost 200 food banks across America that provides food to people impacted by hunger and food insecurity. When founded, Long Island Cares served a mere handful of agencies in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, but today, it distributes more than ten million pounds of food and supplies annually to nearly 400 member agencies in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and operates 5 satellite offices, plus their main office and warehouse in Hauppauge. Every $10 provides 11 meals and you can donate by mail or phone. You can send a check payable to Long Island Cares, Inc. to 10 David’s Drive (Harry Chapin Way), Hauppauge, NY 11788 or call them at (631) 582-FOOD (3663) and they will process your donation over the phone. Believe me you will make a lot of very humble families very happy at this time of the year, don’t forget and give them a call. Happy Thanksgiving!
I think I’ve done my holiday part and I will see you all when I am Out&About again…