By Paddy McCarthy
I got a call from the man himself, yes that’s Steve Duggan, Steve is the owner of Paddy Reilly’s Pub, a place I’ve frequented many a time, that is located at Second Avenue and 29th Street. Steve is a native of Bally Haise, Co. Cavan and a former Gaelic footballer in his day. This coming March 31st the iconic bar is closing because the landlord will not renew the lease, boy do I know that story very well. This establishment is known worldwide and is named after the famous ballad and folk singer Paddy Reilly. The bar is well known as it offers live music seven nights a week including Irish Traditional, Irish Rock, Bluegrass and Open mic. Famous Irish acts like Paddy Reilly, Black 47, Joanie Madden & Cherish the Ladies, Liam Clancy (Clancy Brothers), Wolfe Tones and The Prodigals are just some of the well-known entertainers who played weekly gigs there.
Steve plans on having 31 Saint Patrick’s Day parties for the month of March to mark the end of an era! This is a very sad time as Steve himself is known as a great concert promoter as well and was very successful in bring Irish musicians from Ireland to tour and promoted Ireland and its talents, so we here at The Irish Examiner USA wish Steve a lot of success in whatever he does in the future.
Here is another event that should be supported and I know it will as they are honoring another super star and that is Michael J. Dowling who has been named 2023 Favorite Son by the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. The Long Island Chapter of FSSP are recognizing one of healthcare’s most influential voices for his leadership, philanthropic endeavors and Irish heritage.
The Favorite Son Award recognizes and honors individuals of Irish descent who have contributed greatly in both their professional and personal endeavors, made a difference in their local communities, as well as in the advancement of Irish culture and education. Mr. Dowling will be recognized at the Society’s Emerald Ball taking place on Saturday, March 4 at the Garden City Hotel.
Dowling grew up in Limerick, Ireland, coming to the United States, New York in particular in 1968. He earned his undergraduate degree from University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, and his master’s degree from Fordham University. He also has honorary doctorates from Queen’s University Belfast, University College Dublin, Hofstra University, Dowling College and Fordham University. For details on attending and supporting the 2023 FSSPLI Emerald Ball on March 4, please visit: www.fsspli.org.
I was in Penn Station on Friday last and I did check out the improvements that have been made and let me tell you, they’ve done quite a lot. I have been critical of Penn Station work on what was happening there for a few months now and I have to say it’s coming along very nicely right now. A lot of work has been done and I have to hand it to the workers and say a job well done and I know the holdup was not their fault, that’s all I can say.
If you are passing through Penn Station, make sure you stop at THE BAR that is in the extension called Moynihan Hall that also has a big food service for all tastes as well. Danny McDonnell, a good Dublin man runs THE BAR and what a great job he has done and he must have one the best pints of Guinness poured on this side of the Atlantic, it’s perfect!
I was at the funeral Mass that was held at Our Lady of the Miraculous Church for the late Helen Sharkey on Saturday who passed away after a short illness, RIP. Helen was the beloved wife of the late John T. Sharkey for 59 years. She is survived by her daughter Jacqueline, granddaughter Samantha Nicole, her son Brian and his wife, Maria.
Helen and her late husband John were dedicated to charitable initiatives, specifically Catholic Charities, Project Children, Heart Share Human Services of Now York, Ireland Funds America, Belfast Flax Trust, and the Ireland Funds Wild Geese Society. Helen was a lifelong friend and mentor to many, in addition, she enjoyed traveling the world with her husband. John always credited his success in life to Helen, and they are reunited again. I can tell you from myself they were absolutely lovely people and I had the pleasure of been in their company many a time, May they Rest in Peace.
The Sharkey family organized a reception after at JA Heneghan’s Tavern (57 Lido Boullevard, Point Lookout) in honor of Helen’s life. The owner Karan and her staff could not be more helpful in preparing the meal that was just delicious as their servings are farm to table produce. You have got to check it out and I have to tell yea the Guinness was just as good that you would get anywhere, as I should know as I’ve had one or two.
This came to me from Shane Humphries about an event that should be well worth going to. Dublin Society member Fergal Titley will be performing in a new Irish musical “Peace and Love in Brooklyn”. This will be a one night only show, on Saturday January 28 at the Irish Arts Center’s mainstage (726 11th Ave at 52nd Street), starting at 7 pm. The show, written by Cork born singer-songwriter Eamon O’Tuama, will feature a live band with Annalisa Chamberlain, Maria Deasy, Liam Ford, Briana Layon, Aedin Moloney, and Gary Troy. Musical will be directed by award winning actor John Keating with musical direction by Ed Goldschneider. Tickets can be purchased at Origintheatre.org. Ath Cliath Abu, from my man Shane.
What can I say about ‘The Smuggler’? Only that this one-man show is just brilliant and well worth you go and see it as you wont be disapointed. A thriller in rhyme by Ronán Noone, directed by Conor Bagley and starring Michael Mellamphy is currently being performed on The Irish Rep’s W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre until February 26.
Tim Finnegan is an Irish immigrant trying to make it as a writer on Amity, an affluent summer colony in Massachusetts, where tensions flare between the migrant and local communities after a fatal car crash. When he loses his job as a bartender, Tim gets drawn into the dark underbelly of the island.
The Smuggler examines how far one man will go to restore his self-respect and asks the question, “What does it mean to be an American citizen?” Written entirely in rhymed verse, Ronán Noone won the Best Playwright Award for this gripping, playful, and strikingly original work at Origin Theatre’s 1st Irish Festival in 2019.
The 2020 production of The Smuggler was canceled due to the Covid-19 shutdown and the Irish Rep is proud to return to this production and bring it to their stage this winter. This is just a taste for you to tell what you might miss if you don’t go and see it for yourself, I’ll be there, will you? For tickets visit www.irishrep.org.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again.