By Paddy McCarthy
I am sure that you our readers have read the coverage in our last issue on one of Ireland’s most talented entertainers, the late Shane McGowan who passed away in his home in Dublin.
The turnout for him in Dublin where thousands of people lined the streets to see the horse drawn carriage carry his body was unbelievable and then again in Nenagh, County Tipperary where his dad lived and his mother came from before immigrating to Kent, England.
As I said there was a huge turnout as the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins came down to the mass at the Rosary Church in Nenagh that included celebrities like Nick Cave, Johnny Depp, Bob Geldof, Aiden Gillen, Gerry Adams and a host of others and thousands from all over Ireland and the world to pay their respects for him.
Last Friday night I was also a guest at the Liffey Van Lines’ 29th Annual Dinner that was held at Bobby Vans Steak House on Park Avenue. The late Danny Maloney, RIP, owner of Liffey Van Lines started this event to thank everyone that has a working relation with his company.
I have to thank his family for the invite and for carrying on this amazing gala dinner in his honor. Thank you to Rose Maloney, Danny Maloney Junior, Paul McVeigh and Kieran McAndrew.
The St Patrick’s Day Foundation reception at Cardinal Dolan’s Residence on Tuesday was well attended by members of the Irish community. I have to thank Hilary Beirne, Founding Chairman of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Foundation and Sean Lane, Vice Chairman of the St. Patrick’s Day Foundation for the invite.
It was so nice to meet so many guests, including Debbie McGoldrick, Peggy Egan, Treasa Goodwin Smyth, Dolores Walsh, Bridget O’Brien, Mitch Hillert, Patrick O’Shaughnessy and Mae O’Driscoll, and also to chat to past Grand Marshals Brian Dwyer and Tommy Smyth as well as the 2024 Grand Marshal Maggie Timoney and her husband Glenn who I got to meet and have a great chat with.
You can take it from me that Maggie Timoney will be a wonderful Grand Marshal to lead us up Fifth Avenue next year and to make us all very proud of our Irish heritage.
It was disappointing that the Cardinal could not make it but he was not feeling very well, I hope that he recovers very soon and is back on his feet again soon.
Here’s a little information on Cardinal Dolan. He is an American Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is the tenth and current archbishop of New York, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Dolan served as the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2010 to 2013 and was elevated to the rank of cardinal in 2012.
The National Catholic Reporter says that Dolan represents conservative values and has a charismatic media personality, you can say that again.
He previously served as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome from 1994 to 2001, an auxiliary bishop of St. Louis from 2001 to 2002, and archbishop of Milwaukee from 2002 to 2009.
I got a message from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles to tell all our Out&About readers that the snow is coming so mind your driving. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the New York State Department of Transportation, State Police and the Thruway Authority offered advice to help New Yorkers prepare their vehicles for winter driving conditions.
“Winter driving presents some challenges, but preparation can make it much safer for everyone,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair.
“Always check forecasts ahead of driving, especially during the winter. Make sure the vehicle and the headlights are clear and not covered with ice or snow, make sure your tires have adequate tread, and travel at a safe speed especially when roads are icy.”
Drivers can start by installing snow tires on their vehicles. State law allows the use of snow tires from October 16 through April 30. Other state leaders reminded motorists to give room for plow operators and other emergency vehicles during winter weather.
For more information visit ny.gov/safewinter.
I just got this from a very good friend of The Irish Examiner USA, Bridget O’Brien: “I am so excited to share the news that we are gearing up for a big fundraising event and we would love to have you involved greatly. We would love for you not only to attend but extend this behalf of invite to any friends or family that you believe would like to join us.
“I am delighted to invite you to the inaugural celebrations for HOPE’s 25th Anniversary, to be hosted by HOPE USA on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024. The event will be held from 6.30 – 9.30 pm, at the American Irish Historical Society located at 991 Fifth Avenue.
I wish all our readers and friends a very Happy Christmas and I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About for the Christmas holidays.