By Paddy McCarthy
Happy New Year everyone! We all made it so let’s all celebrate the arrival of 2025 right now, well I know that I will so join me by singing “Auld Lang Syne”, ahh I love it as it is a great feeling to welcome 2025 and I will be thinking about you all.
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I myself paid a few visits around the Christmas holidays that I must say were very pleasant and yes, I did celebrate the festive season with some friends on my stops. I was in the Pig’n’Whistle on 36th Street near Penn Station that was rocking with lots of people celebrating what Christmas is all about, happiness and that’s what it’s all about.
I then went to McCarthy’s Pub and Restaurant on 46th Street, just off Times Square, and it was jammed up and down both floors and the bartender Amanda was just brilliant as she kept everybody happy, pouring the drinks as fast as ever. I was hoping to meet up with the owners Kieran Green and Jimmy Lyons, but I am sure they were so busy as they also have another great Irish establishment, Gossip Bar and Restaurant at 733 9th Avenue that is very popular with the Irish community in New York.
I was not finished as my next stop was another great Irish establishment, Rosie Dunn’s on 3rd Avenue between 45th & 46th street and I am telling you right now that you’ve got to visit as they also have two sister locations in Manhattan, Niall’s Irish Pub (218 East 52nd Street) and Bayard’s (533 Hudson Street). I could say that they’re the best in Irish pubs in New York. Yes I did visit them and met the staff and the owners and top of the line hosts Matt and Niall Moran. Coming back to Rosie Dunn’s I did miss Matt who with his brother Niall are owners on these great Irish establishments, but I got the introduction to the staff in Rosie Dunn’s, including Ellen Murry, Michaela McBride and Jennifer Lordan, who were again just brilliant.
I just got this news announcing one of the big events that will take place in the early new year, The Annual Irishman of the Year Dinner hosted by the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies. It’ll be held on Wednesday, January 22, from 7 pm to 11 pm at Antun’s of Queens Village (96-43 Springfield Blvd in Queens Village). John Samuelsen, the International President of the Transport Workers Union of America and a revered member of the NYCTA Emerald Society, is their esteemed Guest of Honor. His unwavering dedication to the union movement, exemplary leadership, and deep pride in his Irish heritage have made him an extraordinary figure.
John’s remarkable journey in public service commenced in 1993 with the New York Transit Authority (NYCTA) in Brooklyn. Despite facing arduous conditions and blatant disregard for safety regulations, he demonstrated his unwavering commitment by being elected as Shop Steward and later as the President of TWU Local 100 in New York City. His exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication were further recognized when he was re-elected in 2012 and 2015.
On May 1, 2017, he was officially sworn in as the President of the TWU International. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Mr. Samuelsen will be honored with the prestigious 2025 Irishman of the Year award. Additionally, he will serve as the Aide to the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade’s Grand Marshal on Monday, March 17. Ticket subscriptions are $120 per person or $1,200 for a table of ten. A commemorative journal will be published to honor the 2025 Irishman of the Year Dinner. Full-page ads cost $250. The deadline is January 15. You can also visit gcues.org/2025-irishman-of-the-year for more information and payment options.
This will be an evening to remember so make sure you get your tickets early. I hope to see you all again in the New Year when I am Out&About again…