By Paddy McCarthy
Happy Easter to everyone and boy, did it come so quickly as we were just getting over Saint Patrick’s Day and Palm Sunday and now here, we are. Now that Lent is nearly over I see a lot of happy faces, I bet so you got Good Friday to say the Station’s of the Cross and some prayers as well. Then you have the happiest day of the year, Easter Sunday. Now for all of those who’ve done their Lent ritual in giving up drinking and smoking, it’ll be down to the pub as if it is the last one that you will ever have with a big smile on your face as meet your friends who were also on the dry for Lent. I have to admit I am close to one of them myself well almost as I get to many opportunities to resist, well somebody has to do it. We here at The Irish Examiner USA would like to wish all our readers and sponsors a very Happy Easter and bring on the good times as we are all ready.
I just want to get this in here in my column is that we all very so very sad for the people in Ukraine who like ourselves just want to live a normal life no matter what anybody else believes in as far religion and politics, just all get on together and enjoy every day. I always promised I will not get involved in any political situations in this column, only now it involves all of us so I just want to say we have got to stand together. Ireland has done that as they opened their hearts and their homes to refugees from Ukraine giving them a CEAD MILE FAILTE (a hundred thousand welcomes).
Do you remember Sean Minihane? Yes, of course you do when back in the 80s this man worked tirelessly to help Irish Immigrants like myself to have legal status here in America. Sean, from Cork of course, deserves the award he got from University College, Cork recently. I personally know Sean and I want to tell yea that he will never be forgotten for all the hard work he did with his team who all worked so hard.
Immigration leader Sean Minihane’s work, as a founder of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement and an advocate for Irish immigrants is also one of the founding members of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center. From all our readers and from myself and our team here in New York thank you Sean.
Last weekend I took the ferry from Port Jefferson across to Bridgeport, it was just brilliant and smooth sailing all the way. It’s just fabulous: you drive on and off and go on your merry way and it takes only about one hour, now where would yea get it. Why did I do that? More gossip I suppose but also my son James and his partner Sophia had a one-year-old birthday party for their daughter Parker (see the picture) and she is so beautiful.
You might have seen lately that a lot of the Irish counties at long last are having their dinner dances and receptions. That is great to see as I always say again it bring us all together and, of course, we can share a bit of gossip as well, ha ha. I am now like a broken record. Here at The Irish Examiner USA we support all the counties in any way we can to get the word out about their events at no charge and no fuss. It helps them and it also helps the communities that we are all part, no, no handkerchiefs yet, just kidding.
Are you ready to go sailing? Well I am as again it’s a great way to bring all of us together again as the Celtic Cruise was cancelled for the last two years. Here is some more information for you to book and not miss out this really fun cruise around New York harbor. Tickets are now available for the EIIC/AOH Division 7 Celtic Cruise. To find out more about how you or your organization can become a sponsor of this popular event, send an email to siobhand@eiic.org.
It is all happening at The Irish Repertory Theatre with their great new production “Two by Synge” which will play in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre. Running from April 13th to May 22nd, “In the Shadow of the Glen” and “The Tinker’s Wedding” by John Millington Synge will be directed by Charlotte Moore and feature Ciaran Bowling, Terry Donnelly, Sean Gormley, John Keating and Jo Kinsella. Buy your tickets online at irishrep.org.
Now for some more great news and it’s back, yes the 45th East Durham Irish Festival returns on Memorial Day Weekend (May 28th and 29th). Greene County, with its farms, rolling hills, green pastures, stone walls and mountains is one of the most beautiful areas in Upstate New York. The Irish have been drawn to this area for many years as it reminds them of home. There’s a town about 10 miles northwest of Catskill called East Durham. Since the 1930s the Irish have been gathering in East Durham to celebrate their music and heritage. Back in 1978 all the local businesses came together to present the 1st East Durham Irish Festival. Thanks to Otto Molter and his family, he allowed them to use his field to launch this great event. A few years later, The East Durham Vacationland, the main business association at the time in East Durham, purchased the land on Route 145, the main highway that travels right through East Durham, to make the permanent home for The East Durham Irish Festival. It is now owned and operated by The Michael J Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Center. This year marks its 45th Anniversary.
Andy Cooney, the well known Irish American performer who has filled Carnegie Hall nine times and has been a featured performer at the festival for the last 35 years has stepped up to direct operations of the festival along with a resident of Greene County from Limerick Ireland, Seamus Balfe. They have brought a lot of new ideas and energy to the event.
The entertainment will include The Narrowbacks, a well-known band from the Bronx who recently supported The Dropkick Murphy’s. Young Dubliners, will be coming directly from Los Angeles, CA. They are one of the most popular bands on the Irish Festival circuit throughout the USA. World Class Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan will also perform. There will be 25 bands and performers altogether! Tickets and all information can be found at EDIrishFest.com. We will have plenty more information in next weeks issue of The Irish Examiner USA with all the details and photos so stay tuned.
See you all next week when I am Out&About again…