By Paddy McCarthy
I just can’t believe that Summer is almost over with Labor Day being the unofficial end of summer, as most schools begin again, thinking that that is the end of it, but technically summer does last for a couple more weeks.
You can still go to the public beaches as they will be open though I am not too sure about lifeguards being on duty as most of them head back to college and school as well.
Look, all you have to do is be careful and look out for one another and enjoy the sunshine for another few weeks, I know I will anyhow, with bucket, shovel and all.
I have a few events that I would like to introduce to you for the start of September and one is a special screening of the documentary film on Fire Department Chaplain Mychal Judge and 9/11. One of the highlighted events in New York this 21st anniversary is a screening of “Remembering Mychal – Priest of 9/11” directed by Brendan Fay and edited by Ed Caraballo that tells his story. Twenty-one years after his death he is beloved by many as a “Saint of 9-11.” The screening takes places on Sunday, September 11th at 3 pm at Fordham University Lincoln Center (113 West 60th Street).
“On October 11, 2001 a month after FDNY Chaplain Mychal Judge died on 9-11 in the World Trade Center attacks friends gathered to grieve, find hope and remember their priest and friend Fr. Mychal. He had a heart as big as New York. In stories, prayer and song parishioners from New Jersey and New York, recovering alcoholics, firefighters, Franciscans, Irish musicians and the LGBTQ community unwrap the life and heart of Mychal Judge. In tenderness, tears and laughter – a compassionate and human Father Mychal emerges- the peoples Mychal Judge.”
Voices include Malachy McCourt, Pete Hamill (1935- 2020), Mary Somoza, Tom Duane and Tommy Ryan (FDNY). Tickets are by donation and can be obtained at www.eventbrite.com/e/remembering-mychal-priest-of-911-tickets-406579499227?aff=erelexpmlt.
Brendan Fay has just returned from screenings in Poznan, Warsaw and Krakow in Poland. I have to hand it to Brendan in all that he does for a lot of people and works tirelessly all the time, good on yea Brendan, keep up the good work.
I also would like to highlight the Irish Network NYC raffle, organized by Caroline Regan, a lady with a lot of hats and again does great work especially for another great charity, Concern Worldwide to which all monies go to. Win round trip tickets to Ireland for two complements of Aer Lingus along with a 5-Star luxury shopping experience to Dublin this winter with tax free shopping. Enjoy a city and country 5-Star experience with overnight for two including breakfast at Powerscourt Resort Hotel & Spa in County Wicklow just thirty minutes from Dublin and an overnight stay at their sister hotel The Westin Dublin on College Green including breakfast. Both hotels are members of the MHL Collection – www.mhlcollection.com. On a day of your choice you will also enjoy a VIP private shopping and beauty experience at the luxury Brown Thomas Grafton Street store, enjoy a private consultation with their personal shopper and beauty team in their private rooms, a champagne lunch for two and a Brown Thomas gift on departure. All non-EU citizens enjoy tax free shopping in their stores and they will fast track your tax free claim in store on the day – enjoy up to 16% tax free savings on luxury goods such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior and many more luxury brands. This is the ultimate shopping experience this fall/winter. The value of this prize is €5000 for shopping, and the hotel stay. The tickets are available to buy online now at www.facebook.com/events/stone-street-new-york/irish-network-new-york-raffle/771204784128093.
Ardal O’Hanlon will be making a long-awaited return to New York City for three nights at the New York Irish Center (September 29 and 30 and October 1).
This is the show that everyone is waiting for and you better not miss it as it will be sold out for one of Ireland’s top class comedians Ardal O’Hanlon who is on tour.
Yes its happening at the New York Irish Center (1040 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City). Referred to frequently as one of the godfathers of Irish comedy, Ardal O’Hanlon will finally come out of hiding for his first New York City comedy appearance in over ten years this September. His exclusive three-night engagement at the New York Irish Center plays Thursday and Friday September 29 and 30, and Saturday October 1, all shows starting at 8 pm. Tickets, are $40, with premium seats available for $75, and are be available from www.newyorkirishcenter.org. The shows conclude a 10-city US tour starting in Kansas City on September 2.
O’Hanlon was a beloved character on the Irish show Father Ted, and also recognizable to US public television audiences for his recurring role on the detective series Death in Paradise. He’s made guest appearances on the international hit television series Derry Girls, including the series finale, which aired in Ireland and the UK in May. In comedy, O’Hanlon is celebrated for his deeply cathartic observational comedy style, that often has him vaulting open-heartedly into the unknown (or at least the less well-known!).
Since breaking into the Irish comedy scene at The Cellar in Dublin in 1990, and then taking London by storm starting in 1994 (where he picked up two prestigious newcomer awards), O’Hanlon quickly became a household name for his role as Father Dougal in the hit series Father Ted.
In addition to the Top Television Newcomer nod from the British Comedy Awards, O’Hanlon has picked up numerous BAFTA and British Comedy Award nominations for this role. The first Irish comedian to be invited to do a half-hour special on Comedy Central, O’Hanlon has also earned praise for his novels, the first of which, “The Talk of the Town” was published in 1998. His second novel, “Broohaha,” just came out out in Ireland this spring.
His international comedy festival appearances include Just for Laughs in Montreal (two), Melbourne Festival (two) and the Edinburgh Festival (seven times). He was also the host of the Stand-Up Show on the BBC for two seasons.
This will be O’Hanlon’s New York Irish Center (NYIC) debut. The New York Irish Center is just seven minutes, and one stop, on the 7 train from Grand Central Station.
Remember I told you to book early as it will be sold out and as I said you need some fun and laughter ,well this is it.
Here is another for all our readers in Boston that you also might not have heard about: O’Hanlon is also performing at the Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre for one night only on Tuesday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m. and it is a show you won’t want to miss. Check out thewilbur.com/crystal-ballroom for more information and make sure you don’t miss these hilarious nights of comedy in New York and Massachusetts!
Hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again…