By Paddy McCarthy
I was Out&About last week and I have to tell you that the city looked a bit better as well, yes I do mean Manhattan. I can’t cite official statistics, but my observation is that the homeless problem has improved a little bit and the streets are looking cleaner. This is nice to see as a lot of businesses paid a hefty price over the Covid-19 pandemic that swept across the world and hit very hard here in New York.
The hospitality business got a terrible whacking from left, right and center and is now thankfully getting back to normal. Just to let you know that all the bars and restaurants are open now and the only problem they have is finding good staff, they will now I am sure, with the weather looking nice and sunny again; oh for a cold one at one of those very popular Irish bars and restaurants, I suppose I will when I am Out&About this week.
Now to some great news from the Irish community that is happening right now, starting with this great news. We’d like to congratulate Thomas Tuffy, President of the United Irish Counties Association of New York. Tom previously served as president of the Sligo Association. Tom was so proud that his daughter Lauren sang the Irish and American National Anthems at the Department of Sanitation City of New York Emerald Society’s 85th Anniversary Dinner at Leonards of Great Neck. All I can say is that she brought the house down with her brilliant singing, well done Lauren Tuffy.
Mary Reed, who worked so hard to make this evening a total success and she has “a wonderful evening” planned this Wednesday, May 10, at 6 pm at Club 101 (101 Park Avenue) “to honor three very deserving friends who have helped us along the way”. The US Friends of Kylemore will host the 3rd Annual spirit of Kylemore Awards Benefit in New York City, honoring His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, Christine McGuinness, Co-Managing Partner, Arentfox Schill NY, and Adrian Flannelly, famous radio personality.
What can I say? Only that I will be there to congratulate all the honorees as they all deserve the awards given to them. All funds raised for this event will go towards the building of a purpose-built monastery at Kylemore Abbey. The evening includes food and drink, entertainment by Northwell Health Nurse Choir, a live auction, and an awards program.
Here is an event that we should all take part in, as it is good for our health and also it’s a great charity event and of course a lot of puffing and sweeting, but I know you all can do it. Yes, it’s the Solace Sunrise Walk 2023.
“So have you got your tickets yet? We are only 4 weeks away from the first Solace Sunrise Walks! On Saturday, June 3rd, we will have Sunrise Walks in the Bronx, Queens, and Rockland. Whether you plan on walking, jogging, or running, the important thing is that we are together.
“We walk each year to help support the continued work of Solace House and to create awareness around suicide and mental health.”
For tickets for this year’s walk visit: solacehouseusa.org/solace-sunrise-walk.
This is your chance to be part of something special and reinforce the message: “You are not alone.” I am going to do my best to be part of it and so should you as it is for a very good cause, so keep the flag flying.
On Wednesday, June 14th the Celtic Cruise will board at its usual time of 6 pm but they’ll have a new vessel this year – the beautiful Hornblower Infinity – to carry us on the usual visually stunning tour of New York Harbor. As before, there will be a delicious full course buffet dinner and open bar, with multiple bands across multiple decks, to dance the night away! The Cruise is the AOH Division 7’s annual fundraiser on behalf of Emerald Isle Immigration Center, to help support their immigration legal and social services to clients of over 100 nationalities! Please note (especially if you have attended in previous years): the Cruise will NOT leave from the Chelsea Piers this year but rather, from Pier 40, at 353 West Street! Tickets and sponsorships are available at celticcharities.org.
Hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again.