{"id":28930,"date":"2024-02-07T18:51:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T23:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=28930"},"modified":"2024-02-09T10:58:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T15:58:00","slug":"outabout-260","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=28930","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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At the Women of Ireland Awards were Andrea Haughian, Yvonne Cassidy, Helena Nolan, Alison Metcalfe and George Heslin (Nuala Purcell)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

The \u201cWomen of Ireland Awards\u201d<\/strong> were held at the New York Irish Center<\/strong> in Long Island City last Thursday. Unfortunately I could not make it as because another engagement went on a bit longer that I had planned. From what I\u2019ve heard though, it went very well and I\u2019m very happy to hear that, as, I am sure, is George Heslin<\/strong>, Executive Director of the New York Irish Center put a lot of work into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here I am going to give you a feature on the event for you to see what I missed. Corina Galvin<\/strong>, Sinead Naughton<\/strong> and Fiona Walsh<\/strong> were the first to receive the \u201cWomen of Ireland\u201d award with Rose of Tralee R\u00f3is\u00edn Wiley<\/strong> and Consul General of Ireland Helena Nolan <\/strong>presiding at the festivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new awards recognize achievement in business, community support and the arts, and were presented to three New York area-based women of Irish descent. The first honorees,\u00a0Corina Galvin, Sinead Naughton\u00a0and\u00a0Fiona Walsh,\u00a0were feted in the Center\u2019s storefront theater Reilly Room<\/strong> at a cocktail reception with entertainment hosted by\u00a0the reigning Rose of Tralee,\u00a0R\u00f3is\u00edn Wiley,\u00a0and\u00a0Ireland\u2019s Consul General to New York\u00a0Helena Nolan.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the festivities, and prior to the conferring of the awards, Ms. Nolan led a\u00a0brief panel talk on women\u2019s topics with\u00a0Andrea Haughian<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0Invest Northern Ireland<\/strong>, Tourism Ireland\u2019s\u00a0Alison Metcalfe<\/strong>, and the author\u00a0Yvonne Cassidy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe felt this would be the perfect way to celebrate St. Brigid\u2019s Day<\/strong>,\u201d said the New York Irish Center\u2019s executive director\u00a0George Heslin, referring to Ireland\u2019s newest national holiday.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd judging from the excitement and pure joy in the room, this needs to be an annual event.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consul General Helena Nolan\u2019s briskly paced and thoughtful conversation with her hand-picked panel was organized to offer a compact survey of the many challenges, opportunities and strategies for success facing New York women in today\u2019s boisterous social climate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese\u00a0Irish and Irish American women in New York do us proud as role models, like Brigid, for creativity, leadership, peacemaking and innovation.\u201c Nolan told the predominantly female crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe talk was enlightening thanks to the remarkable women who took part,\u201d Heslin added.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBest of all it contextualized the achievements of our honorees so that they could shine and be themselves without long speeches.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three Women of Ireland Award winners were \u2013 American Express Global Business Travel Planner\u00a0Corina Galvin\u00a0(Women of Ireland Community Leadership Award);\u00a0Sinead Naughton\u00a0who owns and operates a number of hospitality establishments (Women of Ireland Business Leadership Award), and the comedian, actor, writer and music producer\u00a0Fiona Walsh\u00a0on whom was bestowed the Women of Ireland Cultural Leadership Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the winners, Ms. Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland\u2019s Executive VP USA & Canada, observed: \u201cMarking the advent of spring in Ireland \u2013 a time of unfolding celebration of life and hospitality on the island, we honored not only the timeless legacy of Ireland\u2019s matron saint St Brigid on the 1500th\u00a0anniversary of her passing but underscored the ongoing importance of championing Ireland\u2019s influential and creative women of today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The evening\u2019s emcee was Rose of Tralee\u00a0R\u00f3is\u00edn Wiley, who commented, \u201cI continue to be amazed and inspired\u00a0by the community of Irish women in New York, and we are very lucky to have the support of the New York Irish Center to bring us together!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the New York Rose, the Westchester native was picked to be top rose at the famous international festival for young women of Irish descent from Ireland and around the world, which took place in August at the Rose Dome<\/strong> in County Kerry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After receiving her award, Walsh helped segue the ceremony into an even more celebratory mode, spinning discs for a little extra revelry that lasted well into the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Event sponsorship was generously provided by Tourism Ireland<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Lash Star Beauty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hub for culture and community enrichment serving diverse constituencies in Long Island City, the NY Irish Center (NYIC) programs a wide variety of cultural events spanning film, theater, comedy, books and traditional and contemporary music.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NYIC\u2019s social support programs include classes, networking and outreach for LGBTQ+ individuals, seniors and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NYIC\u2019s next large scale community event will be its\u00a03rd\u00a0Annual 40 Shades of Green Cultural Cabaret<\/strong>, a six hour marathon featuring a feast of performers and local luminaries from the five boroughs and beyond.\u00a0\u00a0Rated a\u00a0Time Out NY\u00a0Top 5 Pick two years in a row, this fast-growing post-parade cultural showcase runs non-stop on Saturday March 16, from 3 pm to 9 pm. Tickets are on sale at\u00a0www.NewYorkIrishCenter.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New York Irish Center, 1040 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101, is\u00a0just seven minutes, and one stop, on the 7 train from Grand Central Station.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it was founded in 2004 by the late Father Colm Campbell<\/strong> and Paddy Reilly<\/strong>, NYIC was primarily an Irish immigrant service organization and community center.\u00a0\u00a0Now the NY Irish Center produces close to 100 events a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among its community enrichment programs are its\u00a0Wednesday Lunch Club<\/strong>\u00a0– one of the most popular active retirement gatherings in New York City – and\u00a0\u201cThe Story Continues\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0– NYIC\u2019s quarterly LGBTQ+ networking event, featuring prominent voices from the community and a safe space for conversation and advocacy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NYIC also houses\u00a0Solace House<\/strong>, a provider of free, confidential suicide prevention counseling for one-on-one, group or family mental health support. Solace House\u2019s services are available for anyone seeking help.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some events that should interest you as we lead up to the Saint Patrick\u2019s Day festivities. On Saturday February 17th, the Irish Family History Forum<\/strong> are hosting a presentation which will be of interest to anyone researching genealogy. The program is titled \u201cHow to Leave Your Genealogy: Don\u2019t Let it Get Thrown Away\u201d<\/strong> with Lisa S. Gorrell, CG<\/strong>. Join them in-person for the event at the Bethpage Public Library<\/strong> (47 Powell Avenue in Bethpage) at 10 am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Irish Family History Forum, (www.ifhf.org<\/a>), is a not-for-profit Irish genealogy society. They promote the study of Irish genealogy, history, culture, and assist members in researching their Irish ancestors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have just been told a bit of sad news from the Irish community: fellow Irishman Richie O\u2019Sullivan<\/strong> has been diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer and needs your help. My friend the maestro magician David Cremin<\/strong> from Cork has asked me to help spread the word on Richie\u2019s major problem with his health and his living accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the development is not good as his landlord has sold the house and asked him to vacate by March 1st as this only happened two weeks ago. To make a donation to Richie O\u2019Sullivan\u2019s fundraiser visit www.gofundme.com\/f\/please-help-richie-to-live-longer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is what my Out&About is here for, to get messages like this out so we can all help each other when we are in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s it for this week, see you all again next week when I am Out&About again. <\/p>\n

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