By Paddy McCarthy
Was I Out&About last Wednesday for a concert in Central Park to hear one of my favorite bands The Saw Doctors. They are an Irish rock band formed in 1986 in Tuam, County Galway. They were also supported by another great favorite of mine The Coronas who are an Irish rock band that originated in Dublin. The concert was on at the Summer Stage in Central Park and they played to a capacity audience of Irish and Irish Americans as well as lots of fans from all over and from all walks of life who were there to cheer on the two bands. It was like the who’s who… I have to tell yea, I must have known more than half of the concert goers and don’t ask me to name them all as I can’t as it would just take too long for me to do that.
I did get a chance to go back stage, well somebody has to do it, so why not me and in my company was no other than the artist herself, Noelle Clancy, who is well-known all-over New York City for her great artistic paintings.
As I said I was invited back stage by Saw Doctors’ manager Ollie Jennings who I knew very well from my music and promoting days in Ireland. Lo and behold though who did I meet? Another great musician Tommy Flynn who again was a big star in Ireland when he was performing, I hope he does not mind me telling you all that as he is one of the best.
Back to the Saw Doctors, they blew the park apart, they were rocking the place and they sounded better than ever and how proud I was just being there to see and hear them at their best. The Coronas were also brilliant, wow what a double feature and to see the crowds as it was house full, now where would yea get it?
On my way back from the concert we stopped at Maggie’s Place on East 47th Street, just off Madison Avenue for one or two on the way home. I have to hand it to Martin Whelan, it has never changed and it always feels comfortable in his establishment and he has a great staff to go long with-it, well done Martin. Now that was one of my better Out&About days and evenings that I’ve had for a long time, ah, I love it.
The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens, Inc. (297 Willis Ave in Mineola; www.irishamericansociety.org) will be holding an Irish Night at Eisenhower Park on Monday August 5th from 7.30 pm with free admission.
Performers will include Tommy Mulvihill & Sean Quinn, Donny Golden Irish Dancers, Inis Fada Pipe Band, Clann Agus Cairde Ceilie Band and Inis Fada Set Dancers with the event chaired by Maureen O’Neill-Regan, Margaret Finucane, and Maureen Corrigan. Don’t forget it as it is always a great evening for all the family and friends and all are welcome.
It is with a heavy heart I would like to pay my respects to this lovely couple, the Cagneys both Jim and Bridget, RIP, who I got to know very well as a member of the Cork Association over the years and we became great friends. If ever I got to meet someone like this beautiful couple that were so much in love all thru their years, they were them and I do mean it from the bottom of my heart, they were one of the nicest couples that I have had the pleasure to meet and were from the same neighborhood as myself in Cork.
This came to me from Thomas Browne, President of the Cork Association that I have to publish for you all to read: “The Co. Cork Association is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved and esteemed member – Bridget Cagney (nee Osborne). Bridget passed away on Sunday morning, July 20 at Luke’s Home in Cork City after a short illness. She is now joyfully reunited with her beloved Jim who died in NY on July 28, 2020. Bridget will be laid to rest on Wednesday the 24th beside her beloved Jim in St. Oliver’s cemetery, Ballincollig,County Cork following requiem Mass which will be celebrated at St. Mary & St. John Church at 1:30 pm.
“Bridget and Jim were proud members and great ambassadors of the Co. Cork Association and never failed to promote the Rebel County and their Irish heritage and culture. In 2015 the Association honored them for their selfless giving to the Association and to the Irish American community.
“Theirs was the romance of the century. From the moment of their first meeting at a UCC dance – it was love at first sight; they were inseparable. Their mutual love and respect were obvious to all.
“We will miss their kindness and generosity, their enthusiasm and zest for life. We offer our condolences to Bridget’s brothers, George and Davis, sisters Eileen, Kathleen and Margot and the extended family and friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam.
“If anyone would like to see the funeral mass for Bridget, it will be held at 8.30 ET in Saint Mary and St John’s Church in Ballincollig, you should be able to connect for the mass via this link www.churchservices.tv/stmjballincollig (I believe it is also possible to see the recording of the mass later in the day as well via same link).”
I am also letting you all know that all us ex-pats as they call us should be members of their County Associations as it is a great way to keep up with the news from home and also a great way to meet people from your own counties, whether its recent or a 100 years of your ancestors, so get on board it will be worth it for all our heritages.
I am always here to support everybody and anybody who would like to have an announcement in my Out&About column, well I’m here for you.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About once more…