By Paddy McCarthy
When I was Out&About last week I attended the Emerald Society NYCD Retirees Christmas Party at Austin’s Ale House in Kew Gardens, Queens, that I just could not miss as I knew a lot of them from recent events. Now I can tell you the reason that I missed going to the Armagh Association event that was been held in Manhattan where people could meet the All Ireland Football Champions Armagh players and coaches who came over with the famous Sam Maguire Cup. As you might understand the party went on longer than I planned and with the train schedule I was never going to get there. It’s party season and as I am Out&About, what more can I do? I can only visit some of them just to see how things are doing, and I must say all are doing well.
I did miss a couple of events that it was not possible to get to as they fell on the same times that I already had confirmed with others. One was the IBO and the other was the Armagh team and coaches who were in New York with the Sam Maguire Cup at the Taylor Public House (505 8th Avenue). The Armagh Association of New York invited me as a guest, I was also to meet some friends, Brendan Byrne and his friends that I got to meet in Nova Scotia, Canada who were out from Ireland and were at the event. I am so sorry I did not get there as I had train problems as I was told I missed a great night; so sorry to everyone that was expecting me to turn up, please forgive me as I was so much looking forward to being there.
Here is a nice piece that fits in with my Out&About that was sent in to me from a good friend of The Irish Examiner USA so here goes: “We’re delighted to announce an online presentation and book talk on Tuesday 10 December at 5 pm ET/10 pm Irish time with Terese Svoboda, author of Anything That Burns You: A Portrait of Lola Ridge, Radical Poet in collaboration with the American Irish Historical Society.
“Lola Ridge was born Emily Rose Ridge at the Back of the Pipes, Dolphin’s Barn, Dublin in 1873. She went on to become one of New York’s most influential poets and editors of avant-garde, feminist, and Marxist publications, lauded by the New York Times upon her death as one of America’s best poets.
“Her poem The Ghetto (1918) portrays the Jewish immigrant community of Hester Street on New York’s Lower East Side, where Ridge lived for a time. Her poem The Tidings is her tribute to those who led the Easter Rising in 1916.”
“You can find more information and sign up for the zoom link at aihsny.org/events-2/anything-that-burns-you-a-portrait-of-lola-ridge.
“There was great interest when Terese gave her presentation as part of Cuala’s Lower East Side Book Festival at this time last year so we are thrilled that people in Ireland will also have the opportunity to attend live. Beannachtaí/Blessings.”
Yes that came to me from Susan McKeown who, let me tell yea, does some great charity work both here in New York and in Dublin, Ireland. Yes one of Ireland’s great folk singer as well that is our own Susan McKeown who is well known on both sides of the Atlantic for her charity work with Cuala Foundation and also for her performing. And don’t forget that, yes, you can donate now, especially this time of the year for Christmas holidays.
Before I finish my Out&About I just got this sad news: “The Cork Association is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Woodside native Patrick Finn, who passed away on Sunday, December 8, at his home in Virginia. Patrick was the cherished brother of our financial secretary, Kathy Finn Feeley, and Larry Finn, sergeant at arms. He was the beloved son of our late member Terry Finn and her husband, Tom Finn. Patrick was also preceded in death by his wife, Wendy, as well as his parents and brother, Tom. Patrick’s wake will take place on Friday, December 13, at Lynch’s Funeral Home, located at 43-07 Queens Blvd., Sunnyside, NY. Visitation hours will be from 3 pm to 8 pm.
“A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 14, at noon at St. Sebastian’s Church (39-63 57th Street in Woodside). We extend our deepest condolences to his sister Kathy, brothers Brian and Larry, and the entire Finn and Feeley families. May Patrick rest in eternal peace, concluded Cork Association President Thomas Browne.
I hope to see you again next week when I am Out&About again and maybe meet up with some of you to celebrate this beautiful holiday that I love and to say to everybody, Merry Christmas, Ho Ho Ho!