By Paddy McCarthy
I was Out&About on Monday evening and had my first stop at the Irish Exit in The Moynihan Train Hall upstairs in Penn Station, to visit Anthony Malone, their Director of Development who is also with The Dead Rabbit, at 30 Water Street, a famous down town Wall Street area establishment. I do have to say that all the bartenders have exactly the same professional approach and all showed the same great quality as they greeted their customers who were there before boarding their trains or just socializing with friends.
The General Manager of The Irish Exit is David Moylan who keeps the place running so well. I can’t forget the Managing Partner who is always there to make sure that the standard stays high and that is Anthony Malone who again is a total professional.
All of this before I headed down to The Irish Repertory Theatre for the Origin Theatre 1st Irish 2025 Awards. I have to thank Michael Melamphy, Artistic Director for the invite. The 17th Annual Origin 1st Irish Festival that ran from April 1st to 28th, across New York City, showcased 12 productions—5 from Ireland and 7 locally produced and culminated on April 28th with the Origin 1st Irish Awards ceremony at the Irish Repertory Theatre, honoring outstanding contributions in Irish theater.
This year they presented awards in the following catagories: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Play, Best Production and Best Direction. They also presented The Bairbre Dowling Spirit of the Festival Award to one of our community’s most deserved recipient. You will be able to read a lot about all the award winners from our arts and entertainment editor Brad Balfour, make sure you check it out.
I got to meet John Duddy and his wife Grainne, promoter Maggie Cadden, musician Larry Kirwan, Emeritus founding Artistic Director George Heslin, Musical Director Tim O’Connell, Irish Repertory Theatre Co-Founders Charlotte Moore and Ciaran O’Reilly, hairdresser and paint artist Noelle Clancy and lots more as everyone who was someone in the theatre business was at the awards.
Now here is my part upon conclusion of the events at the Irish Rep I was invited to join in to celebrate with Origin Theatre 1st Irish award winners at The Crompton Ale House (159 West 26th Street) to raise a glass to all who took part in this year’s festival. Ahh, I loved been there and meeting so many people that were also at the Awards, it was just fabulous.
I’ll see you all again next week when I’m Out&About again…