{"id":29815,"date":"2024-09-11T16:46:33","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T20:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=29815"},"modified":"2024-09-11T17:10:50","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T21:10:50","slug":"outabout-291","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=29815","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Eoin Leslie, Paddy and the ever-popular bartender Frank Starmer<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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

It has been a very busy week Out&About and that\u2019s exactly the way I like it. I had the biggest Out&About trip to guess where? Halifax, Nova Scotia<\/strong> in Canada with my wife Patricia<\/strong>; yes, I do have a wife, would you believe it? Just kidding, as she never looks for the limelight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trip was all her planning and let me tell yea it was just a fabulous trip for a few days break. We stayed at the beautiful Prince George Hotel<\/strong>. You know what? It reminded me of going back to Ireland as this was the opening gateway to most Irish immigrants who pursued a new life in Canada and North America back in the 19 century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Canadian Museum of Immigration<\/strong> at Pier 21 in Halifax will give you the history of all the nationalities from around the world that immigrated to Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We then visited the Halifax Maritime Museum of the Atlantic<\/strong> that is located in the heart of Halifax\u2019s historic waterfront. This is Canada\u2019s premier maritime museum and here you can immerse yourself in the stories, events and people that define Nova Scotia\u2019s relationship with the sea. The museum is home to several respected exhibits that explore historical events and topics such as the historic sinking of the Titanic, the Halifax Explosion, the Navy, Days of Sail and the Age of Steam. You can also do a guided tour of each of the museums and I promise you that they are so informative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Niall McGuinness, manager of Durty Nelly\u2019s<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We did a lot of walking in Halifax, so we had to stop for some refreshments, as you might have guessed, at Alexander Keith\u2019s Brewery<\/strong> that is part of Brewery Market, with historic buildings, shops, dining and of course the brewery that you also have to visit as again it\u2019s got lots of history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hotel we stayed in was walking distance from everything as we were in downtown Halifax. Well again I got to check out some Irish eateries, pubs and bars, don\u2019t you know I did, and the first one was Durty Nelly\u2019s Authentic Irish Pub<\/strong>. I can tell you this was like coming home, what a warm welcome we got from the staff and the owners who were from all parts of Ireland. They have music all day and night with different musicians playing a variety of music from good old Irish music to pop and all your favorites, you would love this Irish pub! What a blast I had as again it been like home from home and with staff like these you don\u2019t want to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paddy with waitress Saoirse Harrison<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here we go with the staff that makes it all happen: the owner\u2019s name is Joe McGuinness<\/strong> (Dublin) who I did not get to meet as he was out of town. So, his son Niall McGuinness<\/strong> who is the manager gave us a great welcome along with the staff that included Eoin Leslie<\/strong> and Saoirse Harrison<\/strong>, both from Galway, and the ever-popular bartender Frank Starmer<\/strong>. Yes, it was a long evening and so enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Old Triangle Ale House<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While we were Out&About the next day we visited The Old Triangle Ale House<\/strong> and again it was like \u201cHoney I\u2019m home,\u201d as that is what it was like. I got to meet the owner Brian Doherty<\/strong>, who is a musician as well as a entrepreneur, and he loves music, food and wine. He is also the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Nova Scotia who runs a fabulous establishment with his family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We got to meet some lovely people who were all from Ireland at The Old Triangle including Jarlath McKerr<\/strong> (Armagh), Des Foley<\/strong> (Leitrim), Brendan Byrne<\/strong> (Armagh), David McKerr<\/strong> (Armagh). By the way, Des Foley is a good friend of Frankie Dwyer<\/strong> and Mike Carty<\/strong>, owners of the new Rosie O\u2019Grady\u2019s (146 West 46th Street in Manhattan). We\u2019ll meet again, don\u2019t know where, don\u2019t know when\u2026 that\u2019s for the boys we got to meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Houndstooth Pub<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I received some very bad news last week that\u00a0the Houndstooth Pub<\/strong>,\u00a0a cornerstone of the Garment District\u2019s food and drink scene, closed its doors for good after 13 years of business. A great friend of mine and The Irish Examiner USA<\/em>, General Manager\u00a0Nicholas Cohen<\/strong>\u00a0sat down to reminisce in the bar at the corner of 8th Avenue and West 37th Street. He said that he will always cherish his time at the traditional Irish pub, where celebrities were often spotted nursing a pint or two. \u201cWe\u2019ve had many great nights over the 13 years,\u201d Nick said. \u201cI\u2019ve had Courtney Cox<\/strong> pulling pints of Guinness. I\u2019ve had Ed Sheeran<\/strong> having a jam session with Beyonc\u00e9 <\/strong>and Jay-Z<\/strong>,\u201d but even with these memories, Nick, who also manages the Houndstooth\u2019s sister bar,\u00a0Stitch\u00a0<\/strong>at 247 West 37th St (between 7th and 8th Avenues), explained that the sudden loss still stings: \u201cThere\u2019s tears in my eyes that it\u2019s lights out but that\u2019s the reality of the economy right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Houndstooth joined the neighborhood after Stitch\u2019s landlord offered the space to Nick and his partners. By offering good drinks, good food and good conversation, the pub was able to attract a sizeable crowd, and it developed a reputation as one of the top bars in the Garment District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Houndstooth gone, Nick plans to devote more energy to Stitch. \u201cI just want to thank everyone for 13 great years. Such great memories\u2026It\u2019s breaking my heart, but the only thing constant is change. Let\u2019s see what the next chapter brings for me and our wonderful staff,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve know Nick since I immigrated to America to the days when he was the first salesman for Samuel Adams out of Boston that is a\u00a0\u00a0major success today all the way up to the days he got into managing in the night club business. Again he was brilliant with everything he has done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nicholas Cohen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I know a lot of bar and restaurant owners who are very successful and professional with all they do and I must say that\u00a0Nicholas Cohen\u00a0from\u00a0Dublin, Ireland\u00a0is right up there with them all. As I said from the start Nick will bounce back although he and his partners have another very famous establishment right around the corner from Houndstooth Pub that closed, that is called\u00a0Stitch Bar and Blues that hosts some fabulous music. So, you can pop in and say hello to Nick, wish him well, listen to the music and have a nice cocktail. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turning to some better news now that John Samuelson, Transport Workers Union International President<\/strong> is the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies 2025 Irishman of the Year<\/strong> and also the 2025 Aide to the Saint Patrick\u2019s Day Grand Marshal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The County Tipperary N. & B. Association of New York invites you to join them at their 12th Annual Tipperary Field Day taking place on Sunday, October 13th from 1 pm to 6 pm at Redmond Park<\/strong> on Cook Avenue in Yonkers. It\u2019s always a day filled with fun, family, friends, and food! It\u2019s Columbus Day Weekend, so hopefully no one\u2019s got to work but there\u2019a definitely no school on Monday!\u00a0\u00a0Friends of Tipperary are more than welcome. For more information, contact Margaret Purcell-Roddy<\/strong> at MargaretPurcell2@aol.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This next came to me from Dan Dennehy<\/strong> who says: \u201cThe best of Ireland and the Hudson Valley come together at the Hudson Valley Irish Fest<\/strong>. Come sing along and dance to Irish superstar Mundy<\/strong>, world famous violinist Daisy Joplin and Band<\/strong>, the voice of Irish freedom Mary Courtney<\/strong> and friends, HVIF favorites the T. McCann Band<\/strong> and local heroes Phineas & The Lonely Leaves<\/strong> and many more in The Trad Tent,\u2008Dance Tent and Spoken\u2008Word Tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJoin your children at play with remarkable 18th century toys and games, shop our great vendors and food trucks, and take in the views and our family-friendly atmosphere. Make Hudson Valley Irish Fest on the gorgeous Peekskill Riverfront a must-do on your calendar!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Hudson Valley Irish Fest is a community-driven event, made possible by the generous support of the men, women, and families of AOH Fighting 69th Regiment Peekskill Division 18 Westchester County Hibernians<\/strong>. The Consulate General of Ireland NY<\/strong> also plays a crucial role, providing an annual grant from the Emigrant Support Program of the Foreign Affairs Department<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour support is what makes this celebration of Irish culture and heritage possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hudson Valley Irish Fest will be held from 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday, September 28, at Peekskill\u2019s Riverfront Green Park<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See you all again next week when I am Out&About again\u2026 <\/p>\n

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