By Paddy McCarthy
Here is a historic event that has just happened in Cork where I come from and I was invited to go as it was at The Metropole Hotel where I normally stay when I’m home. The Pancake Day Race did take place on Monday at 11 am and it is a longstanding tradition dating back to 1826 when Thompsons Bakery graced MacCurtain Street. I have to hand it to them as they continue the spirit with a lively pancake race. I did get an invite, only I could not make over as I have plans to go there at a later date but I am sure it all went well and was lots of fun too.
As I am talking about Cork, here is announcement that I am sure will interest you: The County Cork BP&P Association of New York invites you to join them in celebrating the St. Patrick’s season at their 139th Annual St. Patrick’s Ball & Dinner Dance, which will be help on on Saturday, March 2 at Antun’s (96-43 Springfield Blvd. in Queens Village). The deluxe cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 pm followed by dinner, music, and dancing to the Mickey Peare Band. Tickets are $125, tables of ten $1,250.
This year, they are delighted to recognize three very distinguished honorees. Cork Man of the Year Gary Power, Cork Woman of the Year Linda Croston and Frank T. Carvill Distinguished Service Award winner Sean Sullivan.
The Association is Cork people’s home away from home in New York. Founded in 1884 the Association has been bringing Irish people together through the centuries to promote unity, good will and protection among its members and to foster their culture and traditions. The Association continues to do good work for the Irish in New York ,as well as, supporting various charitable events back home in County Cork.
Here is another fabulous event to attend: The Grand Marshal Dinner Dance, honoring Grand Marshal PJ Smith is being held by the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens, Inc. on Sunday, February 25th at 5 pm. Aides Virginia Clark, Katherine Brautigam, Francis McLoughlin and Patrick Myers are also being honored and music will be provided by the McLean Avenue Band. Tickets are $90 per person, with dinner from 5 to 6 pm followed by dancing until 10 pm. Full details can be found elsewhere in this newspaper.
On Sunday, March 3rd, Mineola will be holding its St. Patrick’s Parade and all are invited to march! Line up at Court House Drive, Garden City at noon with parade step off at 1 pm. There will also be an After Parade Celebration with live music, food, dancing, pipers and a step dancing performance.
This is what I am here for with my Out&About, to give news and a bit of gossip on what is happening so do let me know of events that you are organizing and I will do my upmost to mention it for you in my column. I’ll have more news on events in March from the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens in next week’s issue.
This just came to me from Hilary Beirne, Chairman of the biggest parade in the world, the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade that is been led up Fifth Avenue by Grand Marshal Maggie Timoney, and what a day it’s going to be, fabulous, wow. He said: “We have come a long way in a year. Getting ready to meet the Parade organizations and distribute the 2024 Line of March. Lots of planning has gone on behind the scenes for the past several months, and we are all appreciative of the endless hours of work put in by our dedicated volunteers to organizing the Parade. Looking forward to celebrating the 263rd consecutive NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday March 16th.”
Believe me, I know what he is saying as there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make this parade the world’s greatest and it is all down to the great volunteers for giving all their time and energy, good on you all.
Which date in March is the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade held? The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is usually held on March 17th. However, if the 17th falls on a Sunday, then the Parade is held on Saturday, March 16th in order to observe the Sunday Sabbath.
The Board of Directors of The St. Patrick’s Day Foundation, NYC also cordially invite you to attend its 2024 Annual Gala Celebration on March 13th, at the Marriott Marquis (1535 Broadway, New York). Cocktails are served from 6 pm to 7:30 pm followed by dinner and entertainment. Contact gala@stpatricksdayfoundation.org for additional information.
It’s all happening for quickly, so are ready? You better be as this Saint Patrick’s Day season is going to be the best ever, and boy, oh boy, am I looking forward to it!
To finish, I got an update from Dave Cremin on Richie O Sullivan, a Corkonian, living in New York since 1999, who has been diagnosed with the horrible disease of throat cancer: “Richie is battling stage 4 throat cancer but unfortunately, like some many other cancer victims, the cure is worse than the disease.
“Richie is now battling radiation damage and has just completed major surgery where they replaced a piece of his jaw bone with a piece of his shin bone. He has problems eating and has been on a feeding tube now for over two years.
It’s very stressful and a huge strain for Richie to talk but he’s a fighter with a very positive attitude and that simply is astonishing.
As he tries to get over the hurdle of radiation damage, a new hurdle arrived at his door last month. His Landlord informed him that the building which Richie rents an apartment in has been sold and he was given two months to vacate the premises.
We had five small community fundraisers here in NYC for Richie and it was amazing the support he got from his friends and customers he has had as a bartender over the years. Businesses in the New York area have been so supportive and generous.
“The New York Irish have all rallied around in a heart beat and without hesitation to help Richie. There has been so much empathy and willingness to help Richie from all corners of the world. However, there have been many people in Cork and outside the United States that are finding it difficult to donate to the fundraisers we’ve had in Astoria, New York as we use Venmo and that’s not available outside the USA.
“So my sister, Carol Rigney, has set up a GoFundMe to make it easier for people to donate and to help Richie overcome his radiation damage and help him secure comfortable accommodation. We would deeply appreciate any donation whatsoever that people can spare. It all adds up.”
You can donate to the fundraiser online at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-richie-by-making-a-donation.
That’s it for this week, see you all again next week when I am Out&About again with a little bit of gossip.