By Paddy McCarthy
I am so happy to be speaking to Mark Phillips, Director of Marketing at Guinness/Diageo about celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. He is so excited to be getting involved with the Irish community, especially here in New York on Saint Patrick’s Day. He spoke about all the events that he will be visiting during the whole Saint Patrick’s Day period. He will be visiting a lot of pubs and restaurants in the Tri-State and no doubt happy to be seeing a lot of people out there and having a pint of Guinness or, maybe a Guinness 00 the new-alcoholic beer from the brewers at St. James’s Gate. The parade is going to be bigger better than ever so it’s time to celebrate with your friends and families and have a nice pint of Guinness or a Guinness 00. Thank you Mark it was a pleasure speaking to you and I wish you lots of success with Guinness/Diageo as the Guinness will be flowing like it never has been before, I just can’t wait.
I also will be Out&About myself and visiting as many establishments that I can and enjoying a pint of Guinness with a lot of friends I did not get to meet from one end of the year to the other, I am so looking forward to the Parade.
Céad Míle Fáilte is the traditional Irish greeting, which means a hundred thousand welcomes, and reflects the generous and hospitable nature of the Irish. I am so happy to announce this event that will be happening in Cavan, Ireland and looks like going to be a huge success and with Michael O’Reilly, president of the United Irish Counties involved of course it will. “As Cavan people and friends of Cavan around the world prepare to celebrate our national holiday, it gives me great pleasure to announce details of the Cavan Calling 2023 program, with a spectacular line-up in store celebrating Cavan’s culture and heritage, including a special live concert with international superstars The Boomtown Rats. Cavan Calling, which takes place from 26th-30th July, 2023, will also feature events such as special ‘Cavan Day’ street carnival, ‘In Anxious Expectation’ – a two-day ancestry conference, street food markets, a Percy French concert, a night of Cavan song, a two-day Military Show at Cavan County Museum, traditional music, gospel choir, tours of the county and much more. The concert by The Boomtown Rats, featuring founding members Bob Geldof, Simon Crowe, and Ballyjamesduff native Pete Briquette takes place at the Egg Market, Cavan Town on ‘Cavan Day’, Saturday, 29th July, and will be the crowning moment of this exciting program. The concert will also be immediately followed by spectacular fireworks display, so it really is a must-see event.” You can download the festival program now at www.cavancalling.com, but be sure to continue to keep an eye out on their social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@cavancalling), as there are still many more exciting events to be announced!
Cavan Calling also coincides with the centenary weekend of the home of Cavan GAA, Kingspan Breffni, so the Cavan County Board will also be organizing a program of events.
I got a special message from the Ancient Order of Hibernians wishing you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! “May our Patron Saint Bless us and guide us all through the year. As I repeated at the County Board Meeting, it falls upon Hibernians to support Irish events wherever possible,” said Jack O’Brien, Nassau County President. “Any event titled as IRISH should have representation from our Order. With your physical presence at these events, you fulfill your duty to our charter. However, with the multitude of events, no one can be everywhere, please attend remember to support our efforts. Remember in March, the public see many more of the Hibernian works, they see and photograph what we do. If you follow the lead set by our constitution, lead of your officers, and work hand in hand with our elected officials.
“Protecting the Women, children, and the Public at large is our duty and more so this Saint Patrick’s Day season. My thanks to those of you who have thought of creative new ways to Celebrate it with Christianity and joy wherever you are. From piping in your neighborhood to sharing photos of past St. Patrick’s Day memories, we keep the culture flowing. Thank you to all those Hibernians who used their time to see beyond their own needs to support another’s. Marking the Mariners Burying Ground. Promoting The Faith & Our Fathers.”
This, as I said came from Nassau AOH chapter and we here at The Irish Examiner USA are very proud to share this message that is so meaningful on the Saint Patrick’s Day weekend and well said.
I wish all our readers, sponsors and friends a very Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from all the staff of The Irish Examiner USA.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About again.