{"id":27755,"date":"2023-03-22T20:51:25","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T00:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=27755"},"modified":"2023-03-22T20:51:27","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T00:51:27","slug":"outabout-214","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=27755","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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At The Ireland-US Council lucheon, Paddy McCarthy and the T\u00e1naiste and Minster for Foreign Affairs Miche\u00e1l Martin<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

Was this one of the best NYC Saint Patrick\u2019s Day Parades<\/strong> in a very long time? Yes, it was and the weather could not have been better as we had plenty of sunshine. From start to finish everything seems to have gone without a hitch and that was an unbelievable achievement. Now to let you into what I was up to for the three days that I was Out&About. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first event was on Wednesday at the Queens Chamber of Commerce<\/strong> lunch that was held at Antun\u2019s <\/strong>in Queens Village. I got to meet and chat to the President & Chief Executive Officer Thomas Grech<\/strong> who made a great presentation. I also got to meet the COO\/Chief Legal & Administrative Officer Jennifer O\u2019Sullivan of New York City Football Club<\/strong>. The 25,000-seat stadium for the NYC FC is slated to rise on city land by 2027 in the Willets Point neighborhood of Queens, across the street from the right field foul pole of Citi Field<\/strong>, the home of the New York Mets<\/strong>, Mayor Eric Adams<\/strong> and the soccer team\u2019s officials confirmed on Tuesday. We will have a full interview with Jennifer in the next couple of weeks. Again, the King family Joe and Micky<\/strong> put on a wonderful menu to suit all tastes for the lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The St. Patrick\u2019s Day Foundation\u2019s Annual Gala Dinner<\/strong> honored Kevin J\u2008Conway, Grand Marshal of the 262nd\u00a0New York City St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade<\/strong> at The Sheraton Hotel<\/strong>\u00a0 (811 7th Avenue) and featured a special musical performance by the Eileen Ivers Band<\/strong>. The reason I am telling you is because it was one of the events I had hoped to make but could not do it. The Gala is always a perfect evening to meet and greet people before the big day and with one of my favorite musicians Eileen Ivers performing at it how could it go wrong; well maybe next year I will be there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next morning, I was up early at 6 am as I live way out on Long Island about two hours traveling time to Manhattan. I was a guest at the Ireland-US Council<\/strong> lunch that was held at the Metropole Club<\/strong> on 60th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenue. Thanks to David O\u2019Sullivan<\/strong> for the invite as this event is one of the most classic events in the Irish community here in New York City. The who\u2019s who of the business world attend and the nice thing about it is it is also a casual networking event that is so friendly. I got to meet an old friend who I have not met for a very long time, Ed Kenney<\/strong> of Mutual of America<\/strong> who is now retired, but not retired from the work he has always done which is helping out the world\u2019s needy like the charitable organization GOAL USA <\/strong>that is very close to his heart The purpose of nonprofit organizations is generally to improve quality of life for others at a community, local, state, national, or even global level. These organizations are not dedicated to private or financial gain but to the advancement of public interest. Ed Kenney joined GOAL USA as Vice President of Development & Communications in January, 2023. Ed was in the company of two Mutual of America colleges Paul O\u2019Hara<\/strong> and Alfie Tucker<\/strong> who have been the backbone of the company for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Saint Patrick\u2019s Day Parade<\/strong> was a total success and yes, I did walk with County Cork<\/strong> that I love so much and I finished it with my spirits on a high. Before I started walking, as we did not leave till 2.55 pm and as I was in the city for Mass at Saint Patrick\u2019s Cathedral<\/strong> around 8 am with family and friends who came over from Ireland for the celebrations. It was so impressive to see all the dignitaries attending as I again got to meet a lot of people who I haven\u2019t seen for a very long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the Pierre Hotel on Saint Patrick\u2019s Day, Raymond O\u2019Shea, Brian Sharkey, and Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After the mass I headed up to the Pierre Hotel<\/strong> for one of the biggest Irish events sponsored by the Knights of Saint Patrick<\/strong> that is again one of the most important fundraisers for the Charities. Their event on Fifth Avenue is attended by almost everybody who are members and friends of the Knights of Saint Patrick. I have to thank my friend Brian Sharkey<\/strong> for inviting me and my guest to one of his tables. I also got to meet another friend of mine, Raymond O\u2019Shea and his wife Patricia at the table. If I named everybody who was there I could fill two pages, but here are a few: Consul General of Ireland Helena Nolan<\/strong>, T\u00e1naiste and Minster for Foreign Affairs Miche\u00e1l Martin<\/strong>, Pat McGowen<\/strong>, Ed Dowling<\/strong>, Mike Gibbons<\/strong>, Brian\u2019s wife Maria<\/strong>, David Joe Murphy<\/strong> and Joe Murphy junior<\/strong>, Sheila Clancy McCarthy<\/strong>, John Doolan<\/strong>, Tommy Smyth<\/strong>, John Tully<\/strong>, Siobhan <\/strong>and Dan Dennehy<\/strong> and lots lots more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I did visit a few bars and restaurants that all were busting at the seams with a fabulous Irish atmosphere and lots of singing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a special announcement that came to me from a very good friend of The Irish Examiner USA<\/em> Marty Glennon<\/strong> to tell you this that we are two weeks out from the events in NYC celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement<\/strong> on April 3rd and 4th.\u00a0 Both events are moving fast. Please circulate to anyone that may not have heard of this event but might also be interested: \u201cThe Cooper Union<\/strong> policy will be strictly enforced for the Cooper Union event on April 3rd. All guests without exception including dignitaries must come with proof of a covid vaccine or a negative covid test result taken within three days of the event (for PCR Tests) or a rapid test taken that day. Please be sure that everyone that RSVPs and plans on coming is in compliance with the Cooper Union policy. They have told me several times that it will be strictly enforced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn\u00a0April 3rd and 4th,\u00a0Gerry Adams<\/strong>\u00a0will be in NYC. On the 3rd,\u00a0Gerry Adams\u00a0and\u00a0President Clinton<\/strong>\u00a0will be\u00a0at Cooper Union\u00a0for the 25th Anniversary of the GFA. On April 4th, Gerry will be the special guest speaker at the\u00a0Martin McGuinness Peace Foundation\u00a0Dinner<\/strong> at Rosie O\u2019Grady\u2019s<\/strong>. Tickets for both events can be found at mmpfnyc.org\/events<\/a> and www.eventbrite.com\/e\/reflections-on-the-good-friday-agreement-25-years-of-peace-progress-tickets-563808675927<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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