We had what I would call a wonderful night for The Irish Examiner Woman and Man awards that were held in the Garden at Tuttle’s on 2nd Avenue last Monday.
The weather was perfect, and the atmosphere was exciting for all who turned up. I can’t say enough about Garrett Doyle for everything he did to once again make the night a great success.
We had Andy Cooney to sing a few songs and he was spectacular, and people wanted more! Jack Walsh, managing General Partner of Flaming Leprechaun, 3 Hearts of Ireland Company was there and he sponsored the event with some fine Flaming Leprechaun including their whiskey, gin, vodka and rum; now you can tell we had a hell of a party. Jack gave a one of a kind toast and believe me it was good, as you can imagine, and the taste was just beautiful.
Now down to the serious business of the 2018 awards presentation to Man of the Year Seamus McDonagh who was not able to make it as he was filming in Dublin, but he sent his apologies and best wishes to the 2018 Woman of the Year Maggie Cadden.
Maggie was introduced by none other than Paul Keating who is well known in the Irish community and especially in the traditional Irish music scene and what a great introduction he gave and the crowd gave him a fabulous ovation and applause.
Maggie was so taken away with the award she could not believe it, what with the Waterford Crystal presentation. We also have to thank Tom Brennan of Waterford Crystal who presented the award to Maggie.
Maggie is an Irish music promoter, instrumental in the careers of many Irish artists here in the US. Waterford is once again associated with success and recognition — in Manhattan, New York .We thank Tom Brennan for this great presentation and for the presentation to our Man of the Year Seamus McDonagh.
Irish showbiz legend Sonny Knowles’ funeral will take place as we go to press. The music legend passed away peacefully last week at the age of 86 surrounded by his family. The mass will be held at St. Agnes’s Church, Crumlin Village in Dublin. He will be laid to rest at Newlands Cross Cemetery. His death notice reads: “KNOWLES, Sonny, 15th November, 2018, Perrystown, D.12. Peacefully, in the wonderful care of the staff of Kiltipper Wood Care Center, surrounded by his loving family.”
Beloved husband of Sheila for 62 years, much loved dad of Geraldine, Gary and Aisling. RIP Sonny!
The Irish Repertory Theatre begins its 13th season of the Irish Rep Reading Series with a staged reading of Gary Duggan’s play Spotless. Directed by Irish Rep Literary Manager Kara Manning, the reading will take place on Friday, December 7, at 3 pm at Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage. Tickets to the reading are free and open to the public. Seating is limited so RSVP through Irish Rep’s box office by calling (212) 727-2737.
The cast for Spotless will include Aoife Kelly (Two by Friel) and Rachel Pickup (The Home Place).
The lives of two very different women start to mirror each other when they unknowingly both become involved with an elusive young man.
Genevieve has relocated from an affluent suburb and is getting to grips with her new, less salubrious home which backs onto a grim block of flats.
Jenny, an inhabitant of those flats, is looking for a way out but is cynical about finding it now as she finishes high school.
Genevieve is clinging to her final chance at having children while Jenny is doing her best to avoid any distraction and unwanted attention from the opposite sex.
Their paths intersect in the shape of Dean, an attractive but unreliable local lad that neither can ever be sure of.
In Spotless, a darkly humorous and disturbing suburban thriller, neither woman’s life will ever be the same again.
Gary Duggan is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and director. His first play, Monged won the Stewart Parker Trust Award. A film adaptation premiered at the 2015 Galway Film Fleadh.
Other plays include: Dedalus Lounge, Mission, Trans-Euro Express, Neuropolis and It’s a Wonderful Bleeding Life.
Gary Duggan will be attending the reading with travel support from Culture Ireland.
The Irish Rep Reading Series, which encourages the development of works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, and produces works of other cultures interpreted through the lens of an Irish sensibility is underwritten in part by members of Irish Rep’s Patron’s Circle.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About.