By Paddy McCarthy
While I was Out&About last week I had to visit my namesake’s establishment, the one and only McCarthy’s Irish Pub, an Irish-owned and Irish-staffed establishment right in the heart of Times Square on 46th Street, just off Seventh Avenue.
With brilliant bartender Amanda Moran pouring some of the best Guinness at this side of the Atlantic Ocean, yes of course I had a taste or two. On the floor was fabulous waitress Emma Lynch who I could see was also providing tremendous service to customers at the tables and it made me so proud to see them doing such a splendid job. Call in and say hello and they will be very glad to see you all.
Since I was Out&About already I decided to then walk down to 36th Street to visit the Pig’n’Whistle on 36th another establishment that will give you a beautiful feeling when you walk in as the hospitality that you get from the bar staff is also magnificent. It was great to meet one of the partners in this fabulous home from home establishment, yes, the one and only Cormac McCormick who will always give you a very nice welcome and a (Cead Mile Failte) when you enter. Now I had a pint of Guinness here too and, again, it was only lovely, ah well somebody has to do it as I am Out&About and that’s part of my job.
The Pig N’ Whistle on 36th is rightly known as the #1 New York Rugby pub, so now you know where to go for all the games. Though the Six Nations rugby tournament (that is sponsored by Heineken) recently finished there are plenty of games left in the season that are shown there, as well as the Summer Internationals (come on Ireland!) and I am sure that you will love the atmosphere at all those games in The Pig’n’Whistle on 36th.
Now here is an event that for a great charity you should all try and support: Solace House, a Queens based nonprofit serving all of greater New York is excited to host their annual Solace Sunrise Walk on May 18, 2024. Established in 2014, Solace House stands as a pivotal organization dedicated to providing compassionate, free mental health counseling and support to individuals in emotional distress.
Standing as a beacon of hope for individuals grappling with mental health challenges, they provide free individual counseling, particularly focusing on those experiencing suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors and bereavement by suicide. The bi-weekly Survivor Group offered, is a safe haven for loved ones processing the grief of losing someone to suicide.
This May, they will host (3) 5K Walk/Run, as much-needed fundraisers in support of their services. The Solace Sunrise Walk invites people to embark on a journey symbolic of the path many of their clients experience while attending their counseling services – making one’s way from a place of darkness and loneliness to a place of hope and healing.
This extraordinary event continues to bring our community together each year, as we walk in solidarity, emphasizing no one needs to be alone through struggle and despair. Join a location near you, as they continue to break down the stigma and create awareness around suicide and mental health. Together we will walk towards a world without suicide.
The funds raised through the Solace Sunrise Walk will help the organization expand their counseling services for those who are in suicidal crisis, as well as broaden our much-needed community awareness workshops and training programs. Most importantly, funds raised will enable them to continue providing their invaluable services at no cost to our clients.
For tickets and more information, visit their website at www.solacehouseusa.org.
Solace House provides one on one counseling for anyone who is experiencing suicidal distress, has made a suicide attempt, engages in self-harm and/or has been bereaved by suicide. They also focus on preventative care, working with individuals who are suffering with depression, anxiety, isolation, loneliness, etc. Additional programming includes family support for clients’ loved ones, group bereavement counseling and community awareness workshops and training.
All of their services are completely free, removing the stigma and financial stress that is often associated with accessing mental health services. Through the highly successful provision of telehealth services, their programs are now accessible to the greater New York City population and throughout the entire State. They believe that suicide is preventable and strive to make our services barrier-free and they seek to break down the stigma of mental health and suicide by creating an environment where people are comfortable seeking help for themselves, talking about their thoughts and feelings, and supporting and seeking help for suicidal loved ones.
Their vision is a world where suicide, self-harm and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance. Their mission is to support people, families and communities in crisis by providing free, easily accessible, mental health services to all. By supporting them and participating in the Solace Sunrise Walk, you are helping them achieve this mission – thank you.
It’s all happening at the New York Irish Center (1040 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, one stop from Grand Central on the 7 train), as their Blarney Star Concert Series continues with Frankie Gavin and Catherine McHugh on Friday, May 17 from 7 pm to 9 pm in a concert that you should not miss featuring the cream of Irish Traditional music, so don’t miss it as it will be a sellout.
Frankie Gavin is joined by Catherine McHugh, widely regarded as Ireland’s foremost piano accompanists and featured on Frankie’s recent album Port Eireann. As a duo, they have toured Ireland, Europe and the USA to promote this excellent 18-track recording of traditional music. Wherever they have appeared, they have been greeted with rapturous applause and standing ovations.
For tickets visit eventbrite.com/e/blarney-star-concert-series-frankie-gavin-catherine-mchugh-tickets-875327948457.
Gavin has played and recorded with Andy Irvine, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, and Stéphane Grappelli, and in 2010 became reputedly the fastest fiddle-player in the world, with an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Catherine (Kate) McHugh is one of the most outstanding young accompanists in Irish traditional music today. Growing up in an area steeped in legends of Irish traditional music, Catherine grew up listening to and playing with many of the outstanding East Galway musicians. Her approach to piano accompaniment, heavily influenced by legends of the piano is far beyond her years with a unique understanding of the music she performs. Catherine is in high demand as an accompanist and has performed at many festivals and concerts nationally and internationally.
Now where would yea get it with the fabulous talent from Ireland? Only at the New York Irish Center, so don’t miss it as it is going to be a very fast sell out and I hope to see you all there.
In the meantime I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About once more…