By Paddy McCarthy
What a turn out there was for the Grand Council of Emeralds’ 2023 Irishman of the Year Patrick Lynch, as there must have been at least 500 guests at the dinner last Wednesday. Yes, of course I was there, and who was sitting alongside of me? Only none other than the red headed artist Noelle Clancy. I got to meet so many people that I that I can only mention a few like Brian Sharkey, who invited me to the event and boy was it some event, only brilliant. I also got to meet Peter Whalen, past President, Martin Bellow, President, photographer Nuala Purcell, Brian McCabe, Mick Shea, James O’Leary and, of course, the Irishman of The Year Patrick Lynch, who you will read about below. All I can say is that it was a night to remember and I will as it was fabulous.
This came to me and it said that” “this past Wednesday, the Grand Council’s 48th annual Irishman of the Year dinner was held at Antun’s of Queens Village, NY. We are proud to report that we had over 400 people [well I said 500] in attendance to support our guest of honor, Patrick J. Lynch, President of the NYC Police Benevolent Association.
“Paddy has carried the rich Irish tradition of involvement in law enforcement and the labor movement since his election as a PBA 90th Precinct delegate in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, in 1989.
“Ten years later, Paddy rose from precinct delegate to the top of the PBA due to commitment, determination, and values. Paddy was previously honored as the NYPD Emerald Society’s “Person of the Year” and Grand Marshal of the Long Beach Saint Brendan’s Day parade (Long Beach Irish Day), Saint Patrick’s Day parades in Glen Cove, Bayside, and — most notably — in the town of Kiltimagh in County Mayo, where his mother Mary was born.
“The Grand Council proudly backs Paddy and those who wear the blue. Unfortunately, some elected officials supported the defunding movement and discussed reducing law enforcement budgets openly. They implemented budget cuts and dangerous new laws, such as the (no) bail reform law here in New York and other states, that were not in the interest of public safety but in their political aspirations. The effects of the movement are still devastating today. They have not only caused low morale, a wave of retirements/resignations, and a recruitment crisis, but crime rates to surge in our communities.”
Moving on I have to say what an evening and again Joe and Micky King were so professional, as they always are, and I also have to mention their banquette manager, Richie Bowlin, who’s aways total in control with the guests, what a great team they all are at Antun’s. No wonder that almost every Irish organization books their events there as they go leaps and bounds to make each event perfect from top bottom and to make sure everybody goes home happy.
Just another reminder that The 15th Annual Origin 1st Irish Theatre Festival returns to a mostly in-person format, and is running until Tuesday, January 31. Participating theatres and cultural organizations in New York include 59E59 Theaters, the Irish Repertory Theatre, the Irish Arts Center, the cell, Ryan’s Daughter and Symphony Space in Manhattan; the NY Irish Center in Queens, and An Beal Bocht in The Bronx. For tickets, and for the festival schedule visit www.origintheatre.org.
This year Origin 1st Irish introduces its new Pub Partners initiative. A consortium of 14 of New York’s most beloved and unique Irish pubs will welcome artists and festivalgoers from New York and abroad with the warm-hearted hospitality of the island. Drink specials honoring the festival and its shows, plus opportunities for talks and spontaneous performances in various nooks and crannies will be offered.
Participating pub are Blooms Tavern, Hendrickson’s, Arlene’s Grocery, The Scratcher, Smithfield Hall, The Longacre Tavern, Ryan’s Daughter, The Banc Cafe, The Raven, Dylan Murphy’s, The Globe, The Turnmill, Peter Dillon’s and The Grafton. So don’t miss out on the 1st Irish Festival as this is the real Irish culture that cannot be missed.
This is a special announcement that the County Cork BP&P Association will be having their Annual Dinner Dance is on Saturday, March 4. This year’s honorees are Cork Man of The Year Jim O’Neill from Oakdale, Long Island, Cork Woman of The Year from Youghal Co Cork, Michelle McCarthy, and the Frank Carvell award will be presented to Tom Murphy.
The 118th United Irish Counties Dinner Dance will be held on Sunday January 29th at Antun’s (96-43 Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village). Email UICANY.Reservations@gmail.com to make your reservation.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again.