It must have been one of the best turnouts that I have seen for the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade’s Grand Marshal and his Aides Reception at Antun’s in Queens Village last Sunday. There were over 700 in attendance to welcome Dr. Brian O’Dwyer and the Aides and I have to hand it to the organizers for another great job, well done.
Next up we have another big event: The St.Patrick’s Day Foundation, NYC’s Annual Gala Dinner that will be held on Wednesday, March 13th, with cocktails beginning at 6.30pm followed by dinner. This event again honors Brian O’Dwyer, Grand Marshal of the 258th New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. It is going to be a super night with the St. Patrick’s Day Award presented to Mel Kenny, retired deputy Commissioner Nassau County Police and a featured performance by Mairead Nesbitt the World renowned Grammy and Emmy nominated artist who was also a composer and founding member of the global phenomenon Celtic Woman. It’s all happening at The Sheraton Hotel (811 7th Avenue at West 53rd Street; (212) 581-1000).
For additional information contact: Gala@StPatricksDayFoundation.Org or call Sean Lane at (516) 362-9538 or Hilary Beirne on (914) 833-8363.
Talking about entertainment over the Saint Patrick’s Day period, here are some concerts that I recommend to you. We have a lot of talent coming over from across the Atlantic and from other parts of North America this year to entertain us for the Saint Patrick’s Day period, including The Celtic Tenors, Celtic Woman, Nathan Carter, Donie Carroll and, of course, Flogging Molly, who will play at the Paramount Huntington on Long Island; now where would yea get it?
You can check out the events that are advertised in our digital newspaper at irishexaminerusa.com.
You just cannot keep them down and I am talking about Dan and Siobhan Dennehy who will be leading 30th Annual Peekskill St. Patrick’s Parade. This parade will be held on Saturday, March 9th beginning at 3pm in Downtown Peekskill. As I noted, this year’s Co-Grand Marshals are Dan and Siobhan Dennehy. The 2019 Aides are Sunny Cover, Owner, Peekskill Coffee House; Capt. Mary Pat Driscoll, Owner, Trinity Cruises and operator of the Evening Star; Tim Warn, Captain of the Peekskill Volunteer Ambulance Corps; and Jim Witt, Hope for Youth Foundation. This is only the second time in parade history that two Grand Marshals have led the parade in Peekskill. Piper Joe Brady and wife, Ann led the parade in 2000.
The Dennehys are being honored for their collective work in promoting immigration reform and promoting Irish culture. Dan is the founding Chairman of the Hudson Valley Irish Fest and serves as National Director and Immigration Chairman of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America and AOH New York State Board Immigration Chair. Siobhan is the Executive Director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center. Now here is the best part: the Grand Marshal’s pub tour of local establishments is planned for Friday, March 8th from 5:30pm to 10pm.
The Grand Marshals and Aides will be piped into each establishment by Pipe Major Joe Brady, who happens to lead both the New York City and Peekskill parades. Brady is a Peekskill resident.
Please check the parade’s Facebook page at facebook.com/peekskillstpatrickscommittee for the exact schedule.
Finally, the Grand Marshals and Aides will be introduced at the committee’s annual installation dinner held on Sunday, March 3th from 6pm to 9:30pm at The Mansion at Colonial Terrace (119 Oregon Road, Cortlandt Manor). Proceeds from the dinner help to underwrite the parade.
This is another one that I cannot miss: the Rutherford Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held this Sunday March 3rd beginning at 1pm and to be led by Grand Marshal Patrick Kelly, a very good Mayo man. Patrick Francis Kelly was born on January 5, 1936 in Kiltimagh, County Mayo Ireland. He was the 4th of nine children born to Kate and Tom Kelly. He left Ireland in 1954 to work in Southampton England doing construction. He then later went to Durham, and then to Wales where he worked in tunnels.
In 1959 he emigrated to America, lived in Jersey City where he worked in various jobs including warehouses; this is where he met his best friend, the late Paddy Sweeney. He owned the Shillelagh Pub in North Bergen for 8 years. Pat then started Superior Construction in Jersey City and from there he went on to become a Local 580 Ironworker. In 1996, he and Dave Finucane started Piermount Ironworks and later retired in 2016.
Their is lots happening, as you can see, over the next few weeks and we’ll be covering all of it.
I hope to see you all again next week whem I a, Out&About again.