By Paddy McCarthy
At the Irish American Bar Association of New York’s Wild Geese awards at the Irish Consulate in New York were Paddy McCarthy, Eilin O’Dea, and Thomas Scanlon
Last week I was invited to the Irish American Bar Association of New York’s Wild Goose Awards at the Consulate General of Ireland, New York. The “Wild Goose” Awards honor lawyers and jurists for their “wild” side – an interesting or quirky accomplishment, endeavor or talent outside the practice of law.
Presentation of Awards 2023 “Wild Goose” Honorees was the Hon. Bernard Graham, Kings County Acting Surrogate, Eilin O’Dea, Irish Barrister Acclaimed Actress and soprano and Robert Dunne, leading personal injury attorney and talented musician.
The event also showcased “Irish” wines – wines with an Irish link, some labels dating back to the Wild Geese, the Jacobite’s who fled Ireland in the 1600s, several of whom became celebrated vintners in France and elsewhere.
IABANY has been in existence since 1987. It is a professional organization dedicated to connecting, serving and celebrating New York’s legal professionals who are Irish born, of Irish heritage or simply interested in things Irish.
It hosts a series of cultural, social and educational events in New York City throughout the year, including its Bloomsday celebration, CLE programs, such as its roundtable discussion on terrorism and the rule of law at Fordham Law School, and an annual “Wine Geese” wine-tasting event at the Irish Consulate.
It was the who’s who that was present and it was great to meet the IABANY Host Janet Walsh with Sean Downs, Eilin O’Dea, Jack Flanagan, Kevin Hanratty and Thomas Scanlon together lots more I would love to have mentioned.
Now for the interesting part of it, which was the evening’s selection of wines was from the Jim Barry Estates in South Australia’s Clare Valley, named by Edward (Paddy) Burton Gleeson after his birthplace. Gleeson’s home Clare Valley was called “Inchiquin.” Jim Barry’s grandfather hailed from County Clare.
It was very well received I must say and I know that the IABANY were very grateful to the Australian Consulate, Wine Australia and Loosen Bros., who were the importers, for their invaluable assistance with sourcing the wines.
Now this is where I come in along with The Irish Examiner USA’s Editor Grahame Curtis, as we did try the wine tasting and all I can say they were mouthwatering with classic Clare flavors.
We did try both the white and the red wines and all I can say is that Jim Barry should be very proud as I am sure the people over in Clare must be as well. I just love being Out&About as it’s all part of my job.
It’s come to my attention that the Irish Network New York will have a Third Thursday Quiz Night on November 16th at 6.30 pm and it will be extra special as they have organized this quiz night, with all proceeds going to the Denise Morgan family through the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
The American Irish Historical Society is opening their fabulous Fifth Avenue home for the event – this is a special space for the Irish community globally and was recently rescued from sale by community outrage and state support.
There is a $15 donation recommended per person to join and there will be a cash bar on the night.
The Irish Business Organization held their November 8th meeting at the Bank of Ireland NYC Hub. The theme was “Topical Topics in Business” and their guest speakers delivered educational and inspiring presentations. The presenters of the evening were Richard Charge, Jenny O’Leary, Catherine Flood and Mary Gallivan.
On hand to thank every one for attending was none other the IBO President himself, Paul Finnegan who thanked all who were able to join them.
Coming out of their gala celebration, it was wonderful to be together in an intimate networking environment. That was so nice but unfortunately, I could not attend.
Just another piece of news came in as I was Out&About which was that the IBO’s former President Martin Dunne is being honored as Tipperary Man of the Year and well deserved.
I am now paying a tribute to a very good friend of mine and my family back in Cork. Here is a man that I was friends with as he is a legend in the world of football (soccer) in Ireland and I call him “the forgotten hero” as he never got the awards that he deserved. Yes, I am talking about Jeremiah Dennehy (29 March 1950 – 10 November 2023), commonly referred to as “Miah Dennehy”, who was an Irish footballer whose teams included Cork Hibernians, Nottingham Forest, Walsall and Bristol Rovers. In 1972, he became the first-ever player to score a hat-trick in an FAI Cup final.
Dennehy was signed for Cork Hibernians in 1969 by manager Amby Fogarty. However, it was under Fogarty’s successor, Dave Bacuzzi, that he became a prominent member of the successful Hibs team of the early 1970s. Other members of team included John Herrick.
Dennehy helped Hibs win several trophies including the League of Ireland title in 1971, scoring twice in the play-off decider against Shamrock Rovers. In 1972, he also scored a hat-trick in the FAI Cup final as he helped Hibs defeat Waterford United. This was the first ever hat-trick in an FAI Cup final.
He also helped them win the all- Ireland competition, the Blaxnit Cup in 1972 on 29 September 1971, Dennehy also scored for Hibs in a European Cup game against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Hibs had earlier lost the away game 5–0 and then lost the home leg 2–1 with Dennehy scoring Hibs’ only goal of the tie.
Dennehy netted again in a home win at Flower Lodge against Pezoporikos Larnaca in the 1972–73 European Cup Winners’ Cup. RIP to the Cork Legend Miah Dennehy, a great player and one of Cork city’s great sons.
The other famous GAA player Jimmy Barry Murphy had this to say: “I knew him from the pubs in the early 80s in Cork. Mainly The Old Vic when it was the place to be back then. Always well-spoken of, never to be forgotten from our youth.”
Miah Dennehy eventually returned to Cork where he coached junior soccer teams and played hurling for St Vincent’s GAA (Cork). On 17 August, 2007 Miah was the victim of a serious assault outside a public house in Mayfield, Cork. He spent four months in Cork University Hospital, including five weeks in intensive care.
Beginning in February 2008 he underwent therapy in the National Rehabilitation Institute in Dún Laoghaire. On 6 March 2009, David Naughton was sentenced to six years in jail for the assault. Miah Dennehy died on 10 November at the age of 73, RIP.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Out&About and I’ll see you all again next week.