{"id":28517,"date":"2023-09-20T18:00:03","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T22:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=28517"},"modified":"2023-09-20T18:00:05","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T22:00:05","slug":"outabout-240","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=28517","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Trinity Church cemetery in Lower Manhattan where Hercules Mulligan is buried<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

I just arrived back from Cork <\/strong>and I stayed at The Metropole Hotel<\/strong> and let me tell yea, I truly recommend it if you\u2019re ever down that way as it is also so central. Now that was the best part of my trip for the few days as it did not start off to well for me. Okay, here we go: I traveled with Aer Lingus<\/strong> which I might say was only fabulous as I took the offer for the upgrade which again was mighty. The service was magic and highly recommended so look out when there are some specials on offer as in my book it\u2019s well worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now for the part I was not too happy with, when we arrived at Shannon Airport<\/strong> at 4.45 am the airport was basically closed. We had to sit on the plane for another 20 minutes as there was nobody there at the gates to let us off, now where would yea get it? So, we get off to get our bags and that was another 20 minutes and you go out into the main terminal and the place again is basically in darkness with no porters or anybody to meet and greet you from the airport, so you have nobody to ask questions about buses or other transportation, again you\u2019re on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now think about this we arrived at the airport 4.45 am and a bus to anywhere does not arrive till 7.35 am and only goes to Limerick where you have to change to go anywhere else you want to go, now where would yea get it again? I have been told that there are express buses, well I got two different buses and they both stopped in almost every town on the way down to Cork. Do they know that we are in the 21st century and the airport is closed for the night? Believe me, this is not an Aer Lingus problem, the second biggest airport in Ireland should be open 24\/7. Now I\u2019m so sorry for been upset with it but it took me six and a half hours to get from Shannon Airport to Cork City\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving on to something more important than me and my travels, here is a benefit that is close to my heart for Irish musician James McGarry \u201cShay Mac\u201d<\/strong> who needs help to defray medical bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Go Fund Me fundraiser is being run for James McGarry \u201cShay Mac\u201d by Kevin Sherlock<\/strong>. Shay endured a medical hardship last year suffering from third-stage cancer and I am happy to report he is now in remission. However, this hardship entailed exorbitant medical costs. Kevin is asking for donations to help offset these costs, so Shay can continue to heal, and he and his wife Trish can maintain a stress-free positive quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shay has been entertaining and helping people for over twenty years in the tri-state area through his gift of music. Shay is a proud member of The Order of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh in Ocean County<\/strong>, New Jersey. The Friendly Sons group focuses on local community outreach and charities in need. Shay is also a proud member of the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums<\/strong> band in Ocean County. The Pipes and Drums band donates their time to many charities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kevin said:\u2008\u201cI have known him for over twenty time and money to many benefits over the years. Now it is time for us to return the favor. Shay is always one of the main bands every year for the Celtic Cruise<\/strong> around the Harbor to benefit the Emerald Isle<\/strong>. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, he could do with all our help as you all know he\u2019s one of us. You can support the Go fund Me at gofund.me\/90449108<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are a couple of events that you should also attend. First, the general public, and historians are invited\u00a0to Bowling Green, Manhattan on Monday, September 25 at 12 noon\u00a0as members\u00a0of\u00a0the Bowling Green Association<\/strong>,\u00a0Sons of the Revolution<\/strong> and a broad cross section of the Irish community in New York City\u00a0welcomes back the \u201cFighting 69th\u201d<\/strong> regiment from deployment and celebrates Hercules Mulligan\u2019s<\/strong> birthday with various New York dignitaries expected to be in attendance. The Irish flag will be raised at Bowling Green, Manhattan, (beside the Wall Street bull) in their honor and a presentation will be made to the 69th Regiment to mark their return from deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are deeply appreciative of the 69th\u00a0regiment for their service to the NYC St Patrick\u2019s Day Parade<\/strong>\u00a0and we want to welcome them home, thank them for their service to this great country and recognize them for being the official escort of the Parade for the past 174 years,\u201d said Hilary Beirne<\/strong>, Chairman of the NYC St Patrick\u2019s Day Foundation<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hercules Mulligan is an unsung Irish hero of the American Revolution who it is said, saved George Washington\u2019s life on two separate occasions. It is also believed he played a pivotal role in organizing the very first New York City\u2019s St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade in 1762.\u00a0He was a proud New Yorker and Irishman from the day he arrived in New York as a young boy from Ireland.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the release of the Broadway musical Hamilton\u201d,\u00a0the story of Hercules Mulligan from Co Derry has become well known.\u00a0We want to bring attention to the amazing history of this induvial and believe he should be recognized in some manner here in New York, such as the naming of an unnamed bridge in his honor in lower Manhattan,\u201d said Arthur Picallo<\/strong> of the Bowling Green Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the flag raising ceremony, a wreath will be laid at Hercules Mulligan\u2019s grave\u00a0in Trinity Church on Broadway where he is buried near his friend, Alexander Hamilton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This came to me from the President of the County Cork BP&P Association<\/strong>, Tom Browne<\/strong> and he said: \u201cI hope everyone is healthy and happy!! The Cork Association is asking for support for a worthy event. There is\u00a0a street naming on Saturday, September 30\u00a0 for Cork native NYPD Patrolman William McAuliffe<\/strong>\u00a0who was shot and killed in the line of duty March 18, 1916. There will be family\u00a0members from Cork and Canada attending the event. I will be there and hope anyone who can\u00a0please join us.\u00a0It would\u00a0be nice to show remembrance for a fallen\u00a0hero and show he\u2019s not forgotten. There will be a brief ceremony at 11 am at East 67th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan and then a refreshments reception at the nearby 19th Precinct<\/strong>. Visit an NYPD\u00a0 precinct without having to get arrested lol!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, here\u2019s just another reminder that the St. Patrick\u2019s Day Foundation\u2019s NYC Golf Outing <\/strong>is being held on Thursday, September 28 at Plandome Country Club<\/strong> (145 Stonytown Rd, Plandome). For additional information contact golf committee members Brendan Ben (brendanbenn@iuoelocal30.org), Hilary Berne (hbeirne@hotmail.com) or James Cahill (james.cahill@empireblue.com). Now\u2019s your chance, come on boys and girls, let\u2019s play golf, it\u2019s for a great cause!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope you enjoyed this week\u2019s Out&About and I\u2019ll see you all again next week. <\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>