By Paddy McCarthy
The boys in green have done it and made history as well while doing it. Yes, I am talking about the Ireland Rugby team that a lot of people thought didn’t have a chance against New Zealand (I was one of them). Think about it, Ireland beat the All Blacks two times in New Zealand which was a big advantage to them. I normally don’t cover sports as we have sports writers, but I had to because I am so excited for them and they deserve a lots of praise from all sectors and one is me. I also have to give thanks to our Australian journalist who covered all the games from New Zealand on the ground and also the Manchester United games in Australia, flying back to cover that tour in between the rugby games, and that is the one and only Jonathan Bowen, a good Cork man as well. Thank you, Jonathan, you did a great job and the I hope we meet in Cork for a pint.
As I am talking about sport, I have to congratulate Limerick for winning the All Ireland Hurling Final, three in a row, would yea believe it? Limerick were on fire as there was no stopping them from winning even though Kilkenny tried everything to get back in the game with no hope; they played a good game, but could not break this super Limerick team.
Did you all listen to Andy Cooney’s New York Irish Podcast? If not, you don’t know what you’re missing as it is just brilliant to listen to the best of Irish talent from back home. Andy hosts the podcast with the cream of Ireland’s entertainment talent and a lot of new releases for your good listening. Check out the links for the podcast on both The Irish Examiner USA’s website and in the digital version of this newspaper. Andy’s podcast is updated every two weeks with past and present talent from all parts of Ireland so don’t forget to tune in as you will love it.
Here is someone I know quite well and that is dancer Darrah Carr who has her own company called Darrah Carr Dance! She has now teamed up with choreographer Seán Curran whose dad was a famous Irish radio broadcaster in Boston, the late John Curran who was a great friend and supporter of this newspaper. Darrah asked me to remind you that their Kickstarter campaign closes on Sunday, July 17 at 5:30pm: “Please consider making a donation in support of Céilí, our new collaboration with acclaimed choreographer Seán Curran, which premieres September 29 – October 2 in the magnificent new Irish Arts Center!
“In addition to extraordinary dancers from both Darrah Carr Dance and Seán Curran Company, an outstanding creative team is bringing this project to life! The production features live music by Dana Lyn and Kyle Sanna, whose work connects the dots between their experience as contemporary composers and improvisers in New York City and their deep admiration for traditional Irish music. Longtime creative collaborators from both companies will contribute design work, including lighting by Mandy Ringger, visual design by Mark Randall, and costumes by Amanda Shafran.
“We are thrilled to share this collaborative program with you and we hope that you will support our companies’ post-COVID return to the stage in New York City! Please visit our Kickstarter Campaign at www.kickstarter.com/projects/seancurranco/ceili-sean-curran-company-and-darrah-carr-dance for more information and to make a donation in support of our work. We thank you and we hope to see you at the premiere in September! In the meantime, we wish you a rejuvenating Summer!”
I will always promote information on the arts that people send me at any time. Here is an another event that you would definitely have fun at I promise. This Sunday, July 24th, AOH Division 14 will be holding their Annual Picnic at Gries Park in Lynbrook from noon to 6 pm. It is always a great time to gather with friends and this year they will be giving their Friend of the Hibernians Award to Shay Leavey and Dave Baker of Kitty O’Hara’s, Baldwin. I hope Timmy Myles will be happy now?
I hope to be there at the world premiere of The Butcher Boy at The Irish Repertory Theatre in lower Manhattan. From all accounts up to now I am told it is superb so I am very excited. Here is a little inside information on the show: Growing up in a narrow-minded Irish village in the 1960s, young Francie Brady lives in a comic book dreamland with his parents and best friend Joe, but all that ends when the Nugent’s – mother and son – move to town.
After the haughty Mrs. Nugent denounces the Brady family as “pigs,” a violent obsession enters Francie’s world and only builds as the life he loves crumbles around him. When he cannot fight the dark forces any longer, the story spins to a catastrophic conclusion.
The Butcher Boy is Patrick McCabe’s shattering masterpiece. Published in 1992, the novel was hailed as a modern classic and has remained in the Irish consciousness for decades. A 1997 film adaptation was directed by Neil Jordan and starred Fiona Shaw, Stephen Rea, and Sinéad O’Connor. This musical adaptation is the first original musical in eight years to be developed by Irish Repertory Theatre.
In 2017, high school senior Asher Muldoon (Dear Evan Hansen National Tour) approached Irish Rep with this adaptation, for which he had written a hypnotic score, smart lyrics, and a funny and moving book. In 2018, Irish Rep mounted a workshop and an enthusiastically received concert performance. They are thrilled to present the world premiere in 2022.
Now you’ve got it and guess what, I will be there to witness this fabulous adaption of the Butcher Boy, well somebody has to do it and why not me? Ah, I love it. I will also have our Arts and Entertainment Editor Brad Balfour with me so we have it all covered.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About.