February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The event, which combines a Celtic festival along with what is now an annual commemoration for the 9/11 victims.
One of the victims was a Franciscan, Fr. Mychal Judge, who served as chaplain to the New York City fire Department.
The commemoration will include Mass followed by solemn procession to World Trade Center Cross, a replica of the iron girder cross that survived the attack at the World Trade Center and subsequently became the location at Ground Zero for masses.
The pipes & drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester County will be providing musical accompaniment during the religious component of the day’s events while a variety of Irish singers, groups and dancers will be providing entertainment over the seven hour span of the festival.
The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are located at Graymoor, Route 9, in Garrison. Details on the commemoration and festival are available from (845)424-3671, ext. 2111 or www.graymoorcelticfestival.org.
IMMIGRATION DEBATE ON HOLD?
With the Congress now facing into the fallout from Hurricane Katrina and an expected vigorous debate over two Supreme Court vacancies, the prospects for an depth treatment of immigration reform on Capitol Hill seemed to falter this week.
“Even prior to Katrina it was looking like the mechanics were not there for a full debate on reform in this Congress,” said Margie McHugh, outgoing executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition.
“With the death of Chief Justice Rehnquist and the tragedy of Katrina that view is even more salient now,” said McHugh.
“These combined will unfortunately probably delay the conversation on immigration reform,” she added.
Two major reform bills, one proposed by senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain, and a second bill authored by senators John Cornyn and Jon Kyl are currently before the Senate Judiciary Committee which will be primary forum for argument over the Supreme Court vacancies.
AHERN TO SOUND BELL
Bertie Ahern might be defending his government’s economic policies against growing opposition attack but for a split second next week the taoiseach will have sole control of the world’s most important stock market.
Ahern is scheduled to sound the 4 p.m. closing bell on Wall Street on Thursday, Sept. 15 during a visit to New York that will include the unveiling of a Manhattan street sign honoring Eamon de Valera and attendance at the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly.
PIRRO TO ADDRESS IAR
Westchester County District Attorney and U.S. Senate hopeful Jeanine Pirro will speak to a gathering of the National Assembly of Irish American Republicans on Thursday, Sept. 15.
The event, which is being billed as a half-way to St. Patrick’s Day celebration, will be at Langan’s restaurant on 47th St. in Manhattan beginning at 6 p.m.
Also attending the event will be author Letitia Remauro who has just penned a book on Irish high King Brian Boru. Details on the event are available from (917) 710-1849.
SURF’S UP
Irish American community leaders in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island will be lending their energy and nautical skills this Friday, Sept. 9, to the annual Autism Kids Surf Day at Long Beach.
The day’s surfing for area autistic kids is the work of the Nassau Suffolk Autism Society of America.
Surfing will take place in the water across from the Long Beach boardwalk at the corner of Lincoln and Franklin streets.
ROCHESTER CELEBRATES
The Irish of Rochester, New York, will celebrate their heritage for the 11th successive year this weekend with the three-day Rochester Irish Festival. The festival is being held Sept. 9, 10 and 11 at Camp Eastman in Irondequoit.
In addition to musicians and dancers, this year’s festival is offering a on-site “Celtic College” that will provide information on an array of subjects including genealogy, the Irish language, Irish dance and traditional music. The festival is being organized by AOH Division 7 of Monroe County.
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