By Paddy McCarthy
It’s the time to plan now for 2023 as there will be a lot going on with all the County dinners that will be happening across the Tri-State and all over the USA that are times to meet friends and family. That is what I love about these events, you get to meet people that you have not seen for a while.
I know I will be at a few of them in my best shirt, tie and suit that I wear once or twice a year, ha ha.
Yes, there is a lot going on and the big one of course is The New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade that we are all looking forward to with no Covid-19, no cold and flu symptoms and all healthy and dressed in our best. As time goes on, I will be telling you more about the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and all the parades that will be happening all over America and in Ireland so nobody will be left out once I get the information on them.
I have a great passion for parades and Irish dinner dances as they always remind me of home that I love. Now I am going to tell you about one that will be happening on Sunday January 29, The United Irish Counties Association of New York’s 118th Annual Dinner Dance. It will be happening at Antun’s, located at 96-43 Springfield Boulevard in Queens Village. This year’s festive occasion will begin with a deluxe cocktail hour at 3 pm followed by dinner and dancing from 4 pm until 8 pm to the music of Rumor Has It. Tickets are $100 per person or you can book a table of ten for $1,000.
The UICANY said that they were delighted to announce their Gaels of the Year are Charlotte Moore and Ciará́n O’Reilly, co-founders of the Irish Repertory Theatre.
Born and raised in Herrin, Illinois, the great-granddaughter of Irish emigrants from County Wexford, Charlotte found her way to New York City and onto the stage. She has a distinguished career in acting and directing.
Born in Virginia, Co. Cavan, Ciarán immigrated to the United States in 1978 where he found employment in a variety of professions before discovering theatre and acting in plays and several roles in film and television. In 1988, Ciarán and Charlotte co-founded the Irish Repertory Theatre, where he continues to work as an actor, director and producing director.
They also announced that the recipient of this year’s Rose Cosgrove Distinguished Service Award is Tom Tuffy. Born and raised in Culleens, Co. Sligo, Tom immigrated to New York in 1985. He is a delegate to the UICANY from the County Sligo Social & Benevolent Association of New York where he served at all levels of the organization including two terms as President. A Past President of the UICANY, Tom currently serves on their Board of Directors and is also Venue Coordinator of the UICANY Feis Committee. An active member of the Irish and Irish American communities, Tom also serves on the Board of Directors of the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
For reservations contact Ann Henry at (917) 566-9360 or email UNICANY.Reservations@gmail.com.
The death has taken place, following a short illness, of the former editor of the Irish Examiner in Ireland, Brian Looney, at the age of 63. In 1994 Looney took over from Fergus O’Callaghan as editor of what was then the Cork Examiner, steering computerization as well as brand changes and expanding the newspaper to give it a more national perspective. In 1998 the title was changed to The Examiner and later to the Irish Examiner. Myself and the staff here at The Irish Examiner USA express our condolences to Brian’s family, RIP.
I attended an event to kick off Origin Theatre’s 1st Irish Festival. Running three weeks to Tuesday, January 31, it can be experienced at venues across the city including the 59E59 Theaters, the Irish Repertory Theatre, the Irish Arts Center, The Cell, and Symphony Space in Manhattan; the NY Irish Center in Queens, and An Beal Bocht in The Bronx.
The festival features productions, readings, workshops, and more from Ireland and the United States. You have to do your best to support all theses shows especially with all the great work that has been put into presenting them to you. Thank you to Michael Mellamphy, Artistic Director of Origin Theatre for inviting our staff writers and myself of course, and all the talented guests that were invited that were invited to the event.
To check out more on what is going on go to www.origintheatre.org.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again.