By Paddy McCarthy
Hope you all had a nice Easter as the weather was great. I always try to stay away from sad and bad news in my Out&About column as there is enough in the news columns of the paper but I have to let you all know this that happened during the Easter weekend in New York: We here at The Irish Examiner USA are paying tribute to an Irish woman who was stabbed while working in a bar in New York. Her name is Sarah McNally from County Longford, Ireland and was attacked at the Ceili House bar in Maspeth, Queens on Saturday. The 41-year-old, who hailed from Longford Town, was taken to hospital where she later died from her injuries the NYPD have confirmed.
Officers responded to a 911 call at Ceili House on Grand Ave. near 69th Lane in Maspeth around 6:35 pm, according to police. I personally would like to send my condolence to the McNally family on their passing of their daughter Sarah, RIP.
I was up in Norwalk, Connecticut to visit my daughter and her husband Kevin from Saturday to Sunday, a trip that I really enjoyed. Again, the weather was just perfect to get Out&About.
On Monday, I went to Mineola for the Easter Monday commemoration on the 108th anniversary of the Easter Rising of April 24, 1916. It was hosted by the Irish Monument Committee and Nassau County Police Emerald Society at the Irish Monument Court House Drive. The master of ceremonies was none other than Donal Mahony, Past President, AOH Chairman, Irish Monument Committee. The wreath was placed by Gareth Hargadon, Deputy Consul General of Ireland in New York.
We did mention Kylemore Abbey last week, so I personally thought I should let you know more about it in my Out&About column this week as they have the Spirit of Kylemore Awards coming up on Tuesday, April 9 at Club 101 (101 Park Avenue in Manhattan).
Now here is a little history on what it’s all about. Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery and iconic visitor attraction set on 1,000 acres of mountainside in the heart of Connemara, Co Galway in the West of Ireland. Owned by The Kylemore Trust, a non-profit organization led by the Benedictine Nuns, Kylemore is a place of spirituality and beauty to thousands of visitors and pilgrims. Kylemore was built as a private home in 1868 and since 1920 it has been home to the Benedictine nuns who bought the estate after the destruction of their monastery in Ypres, Belgium in World War 1.
For over a century, the monastic community of nuns have lived, prayed and worked at Kylemore Abbey according to the Rule of St. Benedict. They have preserved the beauty and heritage of Kylemore; educated generations of young women in their internationally renowned boarding and day school; and continue to welcome visitors and create employment in one of Ireland’s poorest regions.
Today, the Benedictine Community is growing in number – currently fourteen nuns from around the world live in monastic life there, residing in four different temporary and unsuitable locations on the grounds. Countries represented by the Community are Ireland, Germany, India, China, Philippines, and Italy.
Now, after 100 years at Kylemore they have completed the most important project in their community’s 400-year history: a new Monastery and Education Center, providing a purpose-built home for their growing community of nuns alongside accommodation for visitors on short courses and spiritual retreats.
After several years of prayer, outreach and fundraising in Ireland and the United States, the nuns will move into their new purpose-built monastery later this year. Through the support of friends and benefactors, the nuns are looking forward to moving in early summer 2024!
The new Monastery will enable people of all faiths to engage with the monastic Benedictine tradition. It will also support new forms of education and outreach, following the closure of their school in 2010, due to changing social patterns.
The nuns look forward to welcoming their many alumnae from around the world to visit, many of whom are involved and connected with their alma mater.
With the completion of the Monastery – a milestone in their history – they will have a much-needed home for their growing Community, for new vocations, and a space to welcome visitors on residential retreats and spiritual courses in the heart of beautiful Connemara.
For more information on Kylemore Abbey, the Benedictine Community and to join via webcam for religious services visit www.kylemoreabbey.com
Now after all that there must be a place in Heaven for me, I would say.
I have to give this a big mention as it is a great cause and I hope we all will support this event: The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens, Inc. will host The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust Fundraiser In memory of Nigel Mullahy, Denise Morgan and Colin Murphy at 297 Willis Avenue in Mineola on Sunday, April 14 at 2 pm.
You can make a donation at the door and there will be a cash bar, super raffle, chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle. Live music will be provided by Shilelagh Law, Dermot Henry, Kenny Mc Leod, Sharon, Frank Mc Kenna, Der Murphy and the Comers, Tommy Clyne and Victor Cuneen. There will also be Trad Music from Niall Mulligan, Billy Furlong, Dom Lavin, Sean Quinn and more!
The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust – www.kbrtrust.com – financially supports bereaved families repatriating the body (bodies) of loved one(s) who have died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances to Ireland.
For tickets, contact the Irish Center at (516) 746-9392, or visit www.irishamericansociety.org.
In the meantime I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About once more…