By Paddy McCarthy
I mentioned this event in my Out&About last week, one that I really look forward to every year. The Celtic Cruise always promises to be the biggest Irish event of the year and so it was. Sponsored by AOH Division 7 to benefit the Emerald Isle Immigration Center it was again one of the great Irish evenings that you can ever imagine that cruises around Manhattan on the Hudson River. Oh… so sorry, it did not leave the harbor this year as the ship had some engine problems that were beyond control of the organizers. Did that spoil the evening? I should really tell you that it did not because as it turned out it was what I would call a fabulous evening as we partied like there was no tomorrow, ha ha. Nobody cared as we all had a great time with music playing on the three decks of the ship, an open bar and delicious food for all aboard ship. John Tully along with Siobhan Dennehy, Sean Claffey and Dan Dennehy, plus all the fabulous volunteers were there to make sure everyone had a good time and boy did we all.
It was also so nice to meet Consul General Helena Nolan on board who was also having an enjoyable evening. There was great support from the members of The Emerald Society Grand Council led by President Martin Bellew and Brian Sharkey and lots of members of the council along with Glenn Lynch, who did take some personal photos as well as official cruise photographer James Higgins, who always does a professional job as you can see in our editorial photo pages next week.
There were about 600 guests on board the cruise ship who supported this great cause to benefit for the Emerald Isle Immigration Center that has a highly qualified staff who assists clients in many aspects of immigrant problems and have helped thousands of immigrants become US citizens. The EIIC has free employment service available to all and has successfully helped hundreds of job seekers.
The Celtic Cruise was the highlight of my week as again it was a great way to meet old and new friends as that is what I love to see that makes me so happy, so next year it will be ship ahoy again, ha ha, and thank you again to all aboard.
I will have to tell you that I was the guest on the Ireland Calls radio station on Saturday last at 6 pm that was presented by the one and only Treasa Goodwin Smyth.
I hope I came across okay as, believe it or not, I was a bit nervous. But I have to admit that Treasa, who is a total professional, made me comfortable as time went on. Now, now, stop, no autographs yet, ahh just kidding as I was so happy to be asked to appear on this very popular radio station and I want to thank Treasa very much for having me on.
Here is an event that should interest you as it is interesting for me to be there as it is well worth checking out: The Greater NYC Region Irish County Associations Social on will be held on Thursday June 27, from 6 pm at Murphy’s Pub (986 Second Avenue, New York. Music on the night will be provided by Kevin McCormack and the event is free to enter, with a cash bar and all are welcome so tell all your friends.
I am finishing this week’s Out&About with news of a great friend of mine, Mary O’Dowd, who passed away when I was out of the country. RIP. I did not think I would ever be writing this sad news on Mary as she worked tirelessly on The Frances Pope Memorial Foundation for most of her life. She also was a great performer and singer and wanted everyone to know that she was 100% Irish as she sang some fabulous Irish songs in the biggest stages like of Carnegie Hall and more.
“Mary O’Dowd, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at Weill Cornell Hospital, surrounded by her daughter and niece. She was 79 years old. Born into a house of music on December 16, 1944 in Manhasset, New York, Mary was the first child of the late John and Ellen O’Dowd. Over the years, as the O’Dowd clan grew, life brought them to Phoenix, Arizona. Mary was often known to say ‘I was raised with the tradition of the East, and the freedom of the West’.
“She shared great stories of her adventures in Phoenix and loved to recount the particularly rowdy night she saw Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash at the Riverside Park Ballroom. The nuns at Xavier High School were none too pleased with Mary and her cohorts, although Mary never told us who ratted them out.
“Eventually, the allure of New York City called her back, and in 1965 Mary moved to Bayside, Queens with her cousins, the Tonry’s. She promised her mom that she would only stay for a year. But after many calls home filled with exciting tales of cousins, new friends, and the bourgeoning Irish and folk music scene, Ellen knew that Mary had found her new home.
“It was in New York where Father Kelly and John Connolly set Mary up with Tony Pope. It was a fine match and the couple was married on September 19, 1970. They had Ellen Greevy on April 29, 1979 and Frances Alyne on March 21, 1980. Franny died tragically of Leukemia in the summer of 1981.
“Through their grief, Mary and Tony founded The Frances Pope Memorial Foundation to help other families with sick children. Thanks to their amazing Circle of Friends, the Foundation continues its mission to this day. Mary was fiercely proud to be an O’Dowd and to be ‘100% Irish’.
“She was known for her beauty, but it was her kindness, her generous spirit, sense of humor and unwavering strength that she will be most remembered for. She touched the lives of many through her music, performing at Carnegie Hall on numerous occasions.
“Mary had a uniquely special ability to tell a story through song, and she continued to sing professionally throughout her life.
“She was also proud of the almost 20 years she worked at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, where she rose through many ranks. It was not uncommon for her to sing ‘When New York Was Irish’ for her colleagues, nor was it for her to run from the office to the Irish Pavilion for a gig.
“Mary will be deeply missed by her daughter Ellen, son-in-law Ryan, and grandson Brooks, her brothers and sister, her former husband Tony and her many cousins, nieces, nephews and her cherished friends.
“Mary’s departure leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, but her spirit will forever live on in the cherished memories she left behind. We take solace in knowing that she is reunited with those who have gone before her. Rest in peace, dear Mary. You will be remembered always.”
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About once more…