{"id":26585,"date":"2022-06-22T15:24:53","date_gmt":"2022-06-22T19:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26585"},"modified":"2022-06-22T15:24:57","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T19:24:57","slug":"outabout-175","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26585","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New York\u2019s popular immersive Bloomsday celebration, the \u201cBloomsday Revel,\u201d co-produced by\u00a0Origin Theatre Company\u00a0and\u00a0Blooms Tavern, took place last Sunday (Rory Duffy) <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my last Out&About I forgot to mention a legend that I got to meet at The Irish Rep\u2019s Gala<\/strong> that was none other than Malachy McCourt<\/strong> and his lovely wife Diana <\/strong>who I had the privilege to meet. I have to say this, Malachy is an inspiration to the Irish community and should not be ignored as he is been up there with the cream of the crop of Irish talent for a long long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I am talking about the Irish in New York, here is another theatre company that deserves to be highlighted: \u201cNew York\u2019s popular immersive Bloomsday celebration, the \u201cBloomsday Revel,\u201d<\/strong> co-produced by\u00a0Origin Theatre Company<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Blooms Tavern<\/strong>, and returned to a fully in-person format, took place this year on Sunday June 12 from 3 pm to 6 pm, at Blooms Tavern\u2019s two-level Midtown home (208 East 58th\u00a0Street).\u00a0\u00a0Combining readings from \u201cUlysses\u201d<\/strong> by notable New York Irish actors; music; afternoon food and refreshment, and a new Joycean pub quiz, the event marked the 100th\u00a0anniversary of the publication of Joyce\u2019s landmark novel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featured in the cast were\u00a0Terry Donnelly<\/strong>, Ed Malone<\/strong>, Aidan Redmond<\/strong>, Gina Costigan<\/strong>, Paula Nance<\/strong>, and\u00a0Michael Mellamphy<\/strong>,\u00a0Origin Theatre\u2019s artistic director.\u00a0\u00a0Musical interludes were performed by the Irish folk-rock troubadour\u00a0Alan Gogarty<\/strong>, Charles Arrowsmith<\/strong>\u00a0emceed the Joycean Pub Quiz and\u00a0\u00a0Ireland\u2019s Consul General to New York\u00a0Helena Nolan<\/strong>\u00a0presided over the opening ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the 9th\u00a0annual event co-produced Origin and Blooms.\u00a0\u00a0Formerly the Bloomsday Breakfast,\u00a0the \u201cBloomsday Revel\u201d\u00a0commemorates the Dublin\u00a0spring day chronicled in James Joyce\u2019s landmark novel \u201cUlysses,\u201d June 16, 1904. James Joyce first serialized \u201cUlysses\u201d beginning in 1918. Considered a masterpiece of modernism, it was banned in the US before the book was published in its entirety in France in 1922.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloomsday observances around the world date back to 1924, five short years after the last world pandemic. I would have loved to be there only I had another engagement that I had already confirmed to be at and I know I was missed, ha ha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brent O\u2019Leary is one of the leading candidates for New York State Assembly to represent Maspeth, Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and Ridgewood<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I am always preaching that I will not be discussing any politics in my Out&About and I am still not. But I do want to mention this man who cares a lot about the Irish community in Queens, New York who deserves to be heard. Brent O\u2019Leary<\/strong> is one of the leading candidates for New York State Assembly to represent Maspeth, Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and Ridgewood. His grandparents are from County Claire and his grandfather was a New York City Police Officer when he emigrated to the US and settled in Sunnyside, Queens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father, Frank O\u2019Leary<\/strong> was ticket teller at Belmont Race Track and member of Local 3, the electricians union for 40 years, retiring at 74 years old Brent started working when he was 12: bus boy, waiter, mail room, concession stand and was able to attend college on financial aid and even attended University College Galway<\/strong> as a study abroad for a semester. He then went to Japan and taught English for a year before returning and going to law school on financial aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI understand the sacrifices made by generations of my family to give me the opportunity for a better life. I remember my father telling me he didn\u2019t realize he was poor growing up because of how our community came together to provide for us,\u201d he has said. \u201cEvery New Yorker deserves that same opportunity and support from our government.
\u201cI had a successful career as an international business attorney for 25 years and now it’s time to give back. People want someone with the blue-collar values I grew up with and my white-collar experience to deliver for our community. I know what our community needs because I\u2019m from it and I\u2019ve served this community for over a decade.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brent is President of the Board of Woodside on the Move<\/strong> which provides after school programs and housing assistance and President of the Hunters Point Civic Association<\/strong> fighting for quality of life issues for the area. During the pandemic, he established two emergency food pantries which served over 200,000 people in two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brent describes himself as an FDR Democrat who believes in giving people the tools to empower themselves and a strong social safety net to protect people when times are tough. He is running on a platform of safe streets, good jobs, quality education and health care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason I have published this for Brent O\u2019Leary is that his honesty in helping his community seems so heartfelt and that is what we are all here about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paddy Noonan, RIP<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now back to me, as it is always me just kidding. The great Paddy Noonan<\/strong>, RIP, who for years was one of the most popular figures on the Irish American entertainment scene passed away aged 83 on April 7th, 2020. He was a world-renowned Irish accordionist, He was born in Mallow, Co. Cork on May 5th, 1936 to Annie (nee O\u2019Connor) of Rathmore, Co. Kerry and Denis Noonan of Buttevant, Co Cork and emigrated to New York City at the age of 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was loved by all and a celebration of his life will be held at the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens<\/strong> at 297 Willis Avenue, Mineola, Long Island, New York. All are welcome, friends, musicians, singers, dancers, comedians and you the public come along and pay homage to this most lovable entertainer. Admission is free, donations will go to the Diabetes Research Foundation<\/strong>. It will be held on Saturday, July 9th from 2 pm to 6 pm. Betty McLoughlin<\/strong> hopes to see you all on that day; well I\u2019ll be there, will you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About. <\/p>\n

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