By Paddy McCarthy
Before I get into telling you about my trip Out&About into New York City I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may all your heartfelt wishes and dreams come true and your desires be fulfilled, yes I do mean it all, and again thanks for all your support in 2025. I would again like to thank all our readers and the supporters of The Irish Examiner USA for helping us to be one of the most major Irish outlets to bring you all the best of news, entertainment, arts, business, sports and, of course, a little bit of gossip that we bring to you every week which again I have this week. Christmas has come so quick and I’m running around trying to get some gifts for family and friends, not easy I might tell yea.
Now when I was Out&About last week I stopped at one of my favorite Irish pub and restaurants, the Pig “N” Whistle on 36th Street, just off 7th Avenue and a few streets up from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station that you should call into and say hello to the owners and staff they will really appreciate it very much. Well, you won’t believe it, when I walked in there on Saturday to meet my Editor, Grahame to plan the up coming issue (just a formality as we have been planning for weeks), who did I get to meet? Only the great owners/partners of The Pig “N” Whistle; at the counter was Des O’Brien, Pat Burke and Managing Partner Cormac McCormack. The place was rocking with a great festive atmosphere and you could feel the joy there. Maybe it was just because I was there? Just kidding.
You won’t believe how happy I was to see all the lads as the other partner John Mahon was not available as he was flying back to Ireland for the Christmas holidays, well done John we all here wish you a Merry Christmas.
I was also in McCarthy’s Pub in Times Square, New York City which is an authentic Irish pub conveniently located in Times Square on West 46th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. I promise you the service is the best of the best especially with Amanda Moran, who is from Westport in County Mayo, behind the bar who will always give you Céad míle fáilte or “a hundred thousand welcomes.”
Yes, I did stay for a while to meet up with some friends to celebrate Christmas. I walked around the city as it was just buzzing with people everywhere, no matter where I went as I must have said the words excuse me over a thousand times trying to get past them. Now I’m not complaining as I love the whole atmosphere of the Christmas holidays, it’s just wonderfully beautiful and to see all the children with those happy faces as they go shopping with their parents for that secret Santa Claus who won’t forget them on Christmas Eve with all the presents that they hope he will bring when he comes down the chimney on Christmas Eve and to celebrate with all the family on Christmas Day.
I will have to be good if Santa comes to my house with some gifts as I know that all the children will be good as it is the happiest day of the year. I know that I will. Wow, isn’t that so nice, oh happy days. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the staff at The Irish Examiner USA here in New York, see you all again in the New Year 2026 when I am Out&About…
