By Paddy McCarthy
Last week in my Out&About I told you about my visit to Forest Park in Springfield when I visited my son James and his family. I went to this beautiful park that is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States covering over 735 acres. ‘The Forest’ has a lot to offer, including the Forest Zoo, a ducks’ pond, a rose garden, an indoor skating rink, hiking trails, ball fields, basketball courts, bocce courts, a swimming pool, picnic area, tennis courts and much more.
Now right in the middle of the park is a monument dedicated to honor the Irish heroes of The Easter Rising. The Irish men and women who bravely fought in the 1916 Easter Rising are commemorated in a garden of remembrance with the monument of the Irish proclamation in the Forest Park in Springfield, Massachusetts. I was so proud to view it so here is the photo of it just to show how proud I was to see how the Irish are represented in the United States. Do pay a visit to the Forest Park on your travels as you will not be disappointed on how beautiful it is.
I got this charitable announcement that I am happy to include in my Out&About as it will be very well supported, I am sure. The HOPe Charity Tribute Dinner for former co-founder Gerry O’Shea will be held on June 7 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Kerry Hall (305 McLean Avenue in Yonkers). Tickets are $100 and include dinner and entertainment (Sean Fleming and Friends and an open mic), and there will also be a cash bar. RSVP to Mary O’Keafe at maryok76@gmail.com or on the HOPe website at hope-charity.org/events-1.
Since its formation in 2002, HOPe has worked in 13 countries responding to local needs and emergencies, as well as implementing community development programs. HOPe works with local partners on health, nutrition, and work skills education programs to lift residents out of poverty so they can create a path to a self-sustaining future. HOPe has funded the construction of schools and community centers, and has provided scholarships and micro-loans to individuals to promote economic opportunity.
Helping Other People (HOPe) Foundation is registered in the United States as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, meaning all or a portion of your donation (as indicated on your receipt) may be tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
It was a very honorable Memorial Day, that was observed this past Monday as a solemn occasion to commemorate our falling military heroes that we always greatly respect at this time of the year. This came to me that I am including in my Out&About from the Emerald Isle Immigration Center: “Thank you for including the Wednesday, June 11, 2025 hashtag#CelticCruise in your Memorial Day edition Paddy McCarthy! Your friends at hashtag#AOHDiv7 and Emerald Isle Immigration Center sincerely appreciate it!” Celtic Cruise Chairman Sean Claffey and AOH Div 7 have been the long-time hosts of this annual fundraiser. “There has never been a more important time than now to help Emerald Isle Immigration Center,” explains Sean. “The Celtic Cruise is one of the best parties of the year! Great dancing, music, great food, and the best of times.” You can visit celticcharities.org to purchase tickets at $125 each, which includes a full open bar, hot and cold buffet dinner, and dessert. Secure your spectacular $10 Raffle – tickets in advance via Venmo! Please email events@eiic.org for more information on the 2025 Celtic Cruise Sponsor Packages.
You can also check out the Celtic Cruise ad in this week’s edition of The Irish Examiner USA. All aboard and book early as it is aways sold out!
I was invited along with my wife Patricia to a graduation party on Sunday that was held at Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant on Main Street in Smithtown, Long Island. The graduation party was for Liam Swords who will be heading off the college this year, congratulations to you Liam well done. We were invited by his dad, Noel Swords, who has a well known painting company here in New York and he is from County Wexford, Ireland and I highly recommended him I can tell yea.
The hosts of the party in Napper Tandy’s were Norma and Donald Hogan and what a party it was as it was like home from home with great people who attended that was great fun to meet. I just included a photo as we toasted Liam Swords with some so-smooth 50-year-old Jameson, now somebody has to do so why not me as well? Ha, ha! Ahh I love being Out&About. I hope to see you all next week when I’m Out&About again…