By Paddy McCarthy
I just got back from my trip up to Waterford, just outside Albany – the Capitol of New York State – to see the Tugboat Rally. According to the organizers of the festival it was the biggest one that they’ve had since it all started over 20 years ago. Congratulations to all the volunteers that put the time in to make it happen every year.
We did have one downer on the whole trip as the man that invited me up to the festival, Jeff Cleary, had allergic reaction to some medicine he had been taking that put him out of action. His job is Harbor Master and as you can understand he is the man who controls what is happening on the Erie Canal, that was built by mostly Irish immigrants over a 100 years ago. Get better Jeff and thank you again as we still had a good time and got to meet some very nice people who were all so friendly and helpful.
The Irish Repertory Theatre have just finished with a big hit on their hands after the closing of Little Gem, and let me tell you it was hard to get a ticket up to the day it closed. Now they begin with I am sure another big hit as it has all the ingredients as I can see with the with the actors, producers and director. It is called Dublin Carol by Conor McPherson that will be performed on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage. Directed by Ciarán O’Reilly, the show stars Jeffrey Bean, Cillian Hegarty, and Sarah Street and runs from September 20 to November 10.
John Plunkett is haunted by memories of a shameful past and shattered life. On Christmas Eve, an unexpected visit from his estranged daughter, Mary, forces John to confront his demons and grapple with his chance at redemption. That is all I am going to let you in on until the reviews come in.
Conor McPherson’s revelatory journey towards salvation, premiered in 2000 at the Royal Court in London and made its US premiere at The Atlantic Theater Company in 2003. Dublin Carol is Irish Rep’s sixth McPherson play; past productions include St. Nicholas (2010), The Weir (2013 & 2015), Port Authority (2014), Shining City (2016), and The Seafarer (2018). For tickets call (212) 727-2737 or visit irishrep.org.
Here is something that I know you will be very interested in. Join Project Purple on September 14 as they run and walk through beautiful Overpeck County Park in Leonia, New Jersey to beat pancreatic cancer. You can choose from either the 5km run or 1 mile walk to benefit Project Purple. Your participation and fundraising supports their national patient financial aid program and funding critical research towards a cure. They have become the nation’s leading provider of patient aid to so many families fighting pancreatic cancer. Teams are welcome and fundraising is encouraged.
For more information, contact Briana Burt at briana@projectpurple.org.
Are you ready for one of the biggest events that is happening on Long Island? The 46th Nassau County AOH Feis and Irish Festival will take place at Nickerson Beach Park on September 15 from 9 am to 6 pm. The Park is located at 880 Lido Blvd, Lido Beach.
Andrew E. Healey is the oldest of five children, born in Brooklyn, NY, to Claire and Joseph Healey. Andrew’s father was the former Commanding Officer of the famed “Fighting 69th” Regiment and the former Commanding General of the famed “42nd Rainbow Division” in the United States Army. Andrew, along with his brother T.J. and his three sisters, Monica, Maureen, and Meaghan were raised in Rockville Centre and have spent over 50 summers in Breezy Point.
Andrew attended St. Agnes Grammar School and St. Agnes Cathedral High School. He attended St. John’s University and graduated with honors from C.W. Post College. Mr. Healey is a former Member of the Board of Governors at Mercy Medical Center and a Past President of the Friends of Mercy.
Within the Friends of Mercy, he has served in every capacity on the Board of Sponsors. He has chaired all the major fund-raising activities: the Gentleman’s St. Patrick’s Dinner, the Mercy Luau, the Mercy Golf Outing and the Mercy Ball.
In 1972, he was a member of the Bishop’s Honor Guard representing St. Agnes Cathedral High School. He presently serves the Friends of Mercy as the Special Advisor to the Board of Sponsors, a philanthropic group for Mercy Medical Center.
Mr. Healey has held a variety of professional positions over the years, as an employee of the Village of Rockville Centre, a teacher at Huntington HS, and as a member of BOCES in Nassau County.
Conjointly, Mr. Healey has worked in the manufacturing industry and retail business (he was employed by both JC Penney’s and Bloomingdales).
He has been recognized on numerous occasions for his outstanding sales leadership and his civic activities. While at JC Penney’s, Mr. Healey was the recipient of the prestigious “James Cash Penney Humanitarian Award for Community Service.” This is one event I will not miss so hope to see you all there.
On this day 18 years ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift.
None of them saw past 10 am on September 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted. Visit Instagram.com/historic for more!
See you all again next week when I am Out&About again.