By Paddy McCarthy
Hello everybody, I hope all is well even though the cooperating weather is not with us yet. I had a busy week as I was all over the place and between visiting my daughter and son it was a busy weekend for me. But before I get to that, I was in Manhattan on Thursday night for a cocktail reception at Rosie O’Grady’s on Seventh Avenue n that was sponsored by the Knights of Saint Patrick. I have to thank Brian Sharkey and John Tully for the invite as it was the last one to held in Rosie’s as it will be closing down, or should I say closed down, by the time you read this column.
New York’s legendary steak and seafood restaurant was established in1973, and it was centrally located near Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Central Park and a short distance from several major museums and renowned hotels. I personally have some great memories of Rosie O’Grady’s since the day I arrived in New York back in 1982. I’ve done a lot of socializing with friends there and I was also at a lot of events there that were always professionally done with fabulous staff and management.
The man at the helm was and is the great Mick Carty who is one of the best known hosts in the hospitality business here in the USA and in Ireland. Rosie O’Grady’s was always a landmark for all immigrants like myself and thousands of others who came over looking for a better life and we always seemed to stop at Rosie O’Grady’s as it is and was a landmark to meet ex-pats and for directions for jobs and accommodation in the Irish communy. We here at The Irish Examiner USA would like to thank Mike for all he has done for the Irish community and he will be solely missed as the owner of this great establishment.
Don’t worry though, he is not going anywhere soon as I would say that he’s probably got plans to open another premises somewhere in New York City, stay tuned. (I was just told that there will be another Rosie O’Grady’s in a new location very soon near by his present location his yippee.)
To follow up on what I was doing over last weekend, I took a ferry from Port Jefferson over to Bridgeport, Connecticut as my daughter Christina was picking me up to go to visit my son James who was having a fourth-year birthday party for his daughter Mila in her grandparents Linda and Joe’s house in Southwick, Connecticut. Yes, I was very good as I drank plenty of water and soda and guess what? It was not too bad at all, he-he.
The house was full of kids and parents as they all loved the pool and of course there was some birthday cake plus chicken wings and some very nice salad dishes, yum, yum. How was the weather? It was okay but it was very humid, and no, I did not go in the pool as the kids took it over and I was so happy about that as they really enjoyed themselves splashing around.
Now you can see that when I am Out&About that yes, I do enjoy the outdoors as well and yes, I am looking forward to the next couple of summer months coming, so I can take out my bucket and shovel and head to the beach. Yes and my sun block, ahh.
Now that I’ve got all that out of the way here is what is happening. The United Irish Counties Association of New York told me that the Westchester County Parks Department and American Irish Association of Westchester County will be proudly presenting the annual and original Irish Heritage Day on Sunday July 16 from 12 pm to 5 pm at Ridge Road Park (287 Ridge Road in Hartsdale). I am told that there is a 12:30 pm Mass honoring the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement followed by musical and dancing entertainment by the great Andy Cooney and his Band, the Susan and Gerard Irish Band, Deirdre O’Mara’s School of Irish Dance, Piper Brian McGuire, Dawn Doherty and Frankie Mc Cormick and the Aisling Irish Center’s Ceili Band and Ballad Group.
The day will include children’s games and activities and mobile food and beverages available for purchase. Admission is $5 per adult, children under 14 enter for free. There will be ample free parking available but do bring your own blankets and chairs. Visit www.AIAWestchester.com for more information.
Hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again.