By Paddy McCarthy
I made a promise to myself that I will visit as many Irish bars and restaurants in the New York Metropolitan area before Christmas to wish all the owners, managers and staff a very Happy Christmas and thank them for their hospitality. The Irish bar scene is a most unique meeting place that will always remind you of home. Now, why am I telling you all this so early? Well, because it will take me all that time to do it and it’s a lot of work, ho-ho-ho. I personally will tell you that I love it and I miss it especially with what the pandemic has done to the trade and I miss all the gossip as you know. I will be telling you a lot more as we get near to the big day, ah I love it.
This came to me from a great friend of The Irish Examiner USA, Marty Glennon. He wanted to make sure you knew that Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald will be featured at a event to discuss Brexit and a Changing Ireland. This will take place this Thursday (December 2) at the New York City Bar Association (42 West 44th Street) from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. The event is free to all non-attorneys and members of the NYC Bar Association, others will be charged $15 at the door. You must show proof of vaccination to be admitted to the event.
Here is a little piece on Mary’s early life: Born into a middle-class family in Dublin, Ireland to builder and surveyor Patrick McDonald and housewife Joan, her parents separated when she was nine-years-old and she stayed with her mother in Rathgar. She has an elder brother Bernard and younger twin siblings Patrick and Joanne. Her sister Joanne was involved with the socialist republican party Eirigi in the late 2000s and is a teacher. Her brother Patrick works as an Intellectual Property lawyer and Bernard as a scientist. McDonald was educated at the Catholic all-girls, Notre Dame Des Missions in Churchtown, South Dublin, where she was involved in debating. After school, McDonald attended Trinity College Dublin, from which she received a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She later studied industrial relations at Dublin City University, and also received a Master of Arts degree in European Integration Studies from the University of Limerick in 1995. She worked as a researcher for the Institute of European Affairs, a consultant for the Irish Productivity Center (a human resources consultancy that was jointly operated by Ibec and ICTU) and a trainer in the Partnership Unit of the Educational and Training Services Trust.
McDonald became involved with the Irish National Congress, a cross-party republican organization, and became chairperson in 2000, leading a protest in Dublin against the involvement of the city’s Lord Mayor in the unveiling of a plaque at the location where the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland held its first meeting in 1798.
She started her political career by first joining Fianna Fáil in 1998, but she left the party after a year due to core policy differences, particularly in relation to Northern Ireland and social justice. Asked about her participation in Fianna Fáil in 2014, she stated she had been “in the wrong party” and quickly realized that Sinn Féin was a more appropriate party for her Republican views after meeting Sinn Féin members through the Irish National Congress. I have to say this is that this woman is full of talent and I am looking forward to hearing her speak on Thursday.
The Irish Business Organization have a busy schedule coming up for all those who might be interested. First you have the Networking Breakfast that will be zoomed on Tuesday, November 30th at 8 am. The guest of the breakfast will be the one and only John Duddy. Boxer turned actor, the legendary ‘Derry Destroyer’ retired from the ring in 2011 and reemerged on stage and screen, most recently in the starring role of Colin Broderick’s “A Bend in the River”. Join them to hear John’s amazing story and the challenges he met on his unique career path. And you’ll also get the chance to introduce yourself with a 30-second pitch to position yourself for new clients or a new career. So, rise and shine and have your bacon, sausages and eggs ready and tune in to hear and see John tell his story.
The December IBO Women’s Networking Lunch will be held on Thursday, December 2nd from noon to 2 pm at the Bank of Ireland Innovation Lab. Meet Consul General Helena Nolan and support NYC’s Bottomless Closet. Nolan will discuss the importance of women being visible in their workplaces and fields and detail her award-nominated #VisibleWomen campaign. In this, the season of giving, you can also support Bottomless Closet by bringing and donating your gently-loved handbags, purses, and attaché cases to help another woman feel confident and professional for her job interview. For more information email info@IBONewYork.org.
This next came to me from my very good friend Mary Courtney for one of her annual events that she does every year so come out and support it. Join her for the Annual Dawn Doherty Academy of Irish Music and Singing Christmas Concert this Saturday at 5 pm in the Auditorium at St Barnabas. The entrance to the Auditorium faces the Aisling Irish Center on McLean Ave (for those of you who have not been here before). Joining them, the kiddies and the not so small kiddies will be the Songstress herself, Mary Courtney and the ever bashful John Walsh. Santa will also be making one of his many neighborhood stops so be ready for pictures! You won’t be disappointed as this show will be spectacular with this talent, wow.
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I hope to see you all when I am Out&About again…