By Paddy McCarthy
Was this one of the best NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parades in a very long time? Yes, it was and the weather could not have been better as we had plenty of sunshine. From start to finish everything seems to have gone without a hitch and that was an unbelievable achievement. Now to let you into what I was up to for the three days that I was Out&About.
My first event was on Wednesday at the Queens Chamber of Commerce lunch that was held at Antun’s in Queens Village. I got to meet and chat to the President & Chief Executive Officer Thomas Grech who made a great presentation. I also got to meet the COO/Chief Legal & Administrative Officer Jennifer O’Sullivan of New York City Football Club. The 25,000-seat stadium for the NYC FC is slated to rise on city land by 2027 in the Willets Point neighborhood of Queens, across the street from the right field foul pole of Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets, Mayor Eric Adams and the soccer team’s officials confirmed on Tuesday. We will have a full interview with Jennifer in the next couple of weeks. Again, the King family Joe and Micky put on a wonderful menu to suit all tastes for the lunch.
The St. Patrick’s Day Foundation’s Annual Gala Dinner honored Kevin J Conway, Grand Marshal of the 262nd New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade at The Sheraton Hotel (811 7th Avenue) and featured a special musical performance by the Eileen Ivers Band. The reason I am telling you is because it was one of the events I had hoped to make but could not do it. The Gala is always a perfect evening to meet and greet people before the big day and with one of my favorite musicians Eileen Ivers performing at it how could it go wrong; well maybe next year I will be there.
The next morning, I was up early at 6 am as I live way out on Long Island about two hours traveling time to Manhattan. I was a guest at the Ireland-US Council lunch that was held at the Metropole Club on 60th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenue. Thanks to David O’Sullivan for the invite as this event is one of the most classic events in the Irish community here in New York City. The who’s who of the business world attend and the nice thing about it is it is also a casual networking event that is so friendly. I got to meet an old friend who I have not met for a very long time, Ed Kenney of Mutual of America who is now retired, but not retired from the work he has always done which is helping out the world’s needy like the charitable organization GOAL USA that is very close to his heart The purpose of nonprofit organizations is generally to improve quality of life for others at a community, local, state, national, or even global level. These organizations are not dedicated to private or financial gain but to the advancement of public interest. Ed Kenney joined GOAL USA as Vice President of Development & Communications in January, 2023. Ed was in the company of two Mutual of America colleges Paul O’Hara and Alfie Tucker who have been the backbone of the company for many years.
The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was a total success and yes, I did walk with County Cork that I love so much and I finished it with my spirits on a high. Before I started walking, as we did not leave till 2.55 pm and as I was in the city for Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral around 8 am with family and friends who came over from Ireland for the celebrations. It was so impressive to see all the dignitaries attending as I again got to meet a lot of people who I haven’t seen for a very long time.
After the mass I headed up to the Pierre Hotel for one of the biggest Irish events sponsored by the Knights of Saint Patrick that is again one of the most important fundraisers for the Charities. Their event on Fifth Avenue is attended by almost everybody who are members and friends of the Knights of Saint Patrick. I have to thank my friend Brian Sharkey for inviting me and my guest to one of his tables. I also got to meet another friend of mine, Raymond O’Shea and his wife Patricia at the table. If I named everybody who was there I could fill two pages, but here are a few: Consul General of Ireland Helena Nolan, Tánaiste and Minster for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, Pat McGowen, Ed Dowling, Mike Gibbons, Brian’s wife Maria, David Joe Murphy and Joe Murphy junior, Sheila Clancy McCarthy, John Doolan, Tommy Smyth, John Tully, Siobhan and Dan Dennehy and lots lots more.
Yes, I did visit a few bars and restaurants that all were busting at the seams with a fabulous Irish atmosphere and lots of singing.
This is a special announcement that came to me from a very good friend of The Irish Examiner USA Marty Glennon to tell you this that we are two weeks out from the events in NYC celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement on April 3rd and 4th. Both events are moving fast. Please circulate to anyone that may not have heard of this event but might also be interested: “The Cooper Union policy will be strictly enforced for the Cooper Union event on April 3rd. All guests without exception including dignitaries must come with proof of a covid vaccine or a negative covid test result taken within three days of the event (for PCR Tests) or a rapid test taken that day. Please be sure that everyone that RSVPs and plans on coming is in compliance with the Cooper Union policy. They have told me several times that it will be strictly enforced.
“On April 3rd and 4th, Gerry Adams will be in NYC. On the 3rd, Gerry Adams and President Clinton will be at Cooper Union for the 25th Anniversary of the GFA. On April 4th, Gerry will be the special guest speaker at the Martin McGuinness Peace Foundation Dinner at Rosie O’Grady’s. Tickets for both events can be found at mmpfnyc.org/events and www.eventbrite.com/e/reflections-on-the-good-friday-agreement-25-years-of-peace-progress-tickets-563808675927.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About again.