O'Lunney's Times Square - After the Parade

O’Lunney’s Three Sisters - On the road to Donegal

Dear Postcards from New York Reader:

The word “Failte” (Welcome) over a wide arch greets you as you enter; but right now, it’s a sure bet the line outside will be long, and the noise from within loud and raucous. If you are in search of the distinctive flavor of Ireland, you’ve arrived at the right place. Make friends with other folks while on line, O’Lunney’s is worth the wait.

In a city with hundreds of Irish “Pubs” (primarily bars where small tables cramped against narrow walls are commonplace), wide and spacious O’Lunney’s, a buzz with the lively conversations of local and out-of-town revelers, and waitresses maneuvering between tables, has a warmth and ambience one would usually find in a “Public House” on Ireland’s West Coast.

There, the stark haunting beauty of the landscape (see the photograph above) and the lack of entertainment choices make a Public House (Pub) the place where families, with children and dogs in tow, spend hours around a blazing fireplace catching up on local news over a hearty meal with friends and neighbors.

For generations the O’Lunney’s have been Pub owners in Ireland; Hugh O’Lunney likes to say he was born into the business. His three sisters are all Pub owners, while Hugh’s daughter Maureen continues the family tradition here in America. You’ll find her at her dad’s side managing staff and making you feel welcome. This year they are celebrating 41 years in business.

A native Irishmen, Michael Connolly, introduced me to O’Lunney’s years ago. It was the place to go when he felt nostalgic for home. He was sure to meet friends or strangers who quickly became friends over a pint of Guinness. Bright colorful flags of the six Celtic nations (can you guess what they are?)* proudly hang from the walls not far from a portrait of Bobby Sands (This is IRA Country). One can catch up on local news from County Mayo flipping through hometown papers like: The Irish Independent, Western People, Day &; Night and The Irish News.

Leave those papers for another day; St. Patty’s is not the day to catch up on news. Don’t forget to eat something before you down another pint. Savor a taste of Ireland; try the Shepherds Pie, Fish and Chips, Chicken Pot Pie or Corn beef and Cabbage. Servings are big enough for two and will prevent a hangover tomorrow. Sips of frothy Irish coffee make a delicious finale to a festive day.

La Fheile Padraig**

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

Tullan County Donegal Today

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Address to remember: O'Lunney's, 145 West 45th St, New York, NY 10036, 212-840-6688, www.olunneys.com

Directions: From Times Square walk north to 45th St. See O'Lunney's sign right off Broadway.

*The six Celtic nations: Scotland, Wales, Brittany, the Isle of Man, Devon and Cornwall, and Ireland.



** Happy St. Patrick's Day (Gaelic)


Photos courtesy of Maureen O'Lunney



© Copyright 2007-9 The Cable Group

A Special Way to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Bagpipers on Fifth Avenue

----A Postcards from New York Encore----


Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Next Tuesday the sounds of bagpipes will usher in one of the city's most festive Holiday celebrations. Wear something green and claim Irish heritage for a day.

Mayor Bloomberg and Cardinal Egan will kick things off as thousands line Fifth Avenue, from 42nd to 86th Street, to watch the parade. Long before it ends, every bar and pub in the city will be packed with lines of people trailing out the door as the Guinness flows freely.

Amidst the spirited revelry, gaiety and leprechaun hats, it’s easy to forget the reason for celebration, the Patron Saint of Ireland’s feast day. Look closely at the cumbersome pipes carried proudly by men in colorful kilts, the tartans of their clans; Those pipes have witnessed three thousand years of Celtic History. their shrill haunting music mirror not only the lush beauty of the land from which they come, but the lilting rhythm and cadence of the Gaelic language.

Make this St. Patrick’s Day a special memory. Unless you visit the far reaches of the Irish Isles or Scotland’s Outer Hebridian Islands, you will not get to hear this live. Experience the rare beauty of the Celtic language first hand at a Mass sung in Gaelic at St. Agnes Church steps from where the parade begins. The tiny Church, tucked away on 43rd Street off Lexington Avenue, is a beautiful setting for the 9:30 AM Service. Get there early, this promises to be a standing room only affair.


A few words on Ireland’s Patron Saint.


Born on the West Coast of Britain, present-day Wales, around 385, as a boy, Patrick narrowly escaped death when Celtic pirates raided his village. Abducted, taken to Ireland, then sold into slavery, he spent several years of privation and hardship among pagans whose language he struggled to learn in order to survive. As a young man, he risked his life to escape his captors, negotiated passage on a ship sailing to Gaul (France) and eventually found his way back to his family. Years later, in 432, he returned to Ireland as a priest determined to bring Christianity to the people who had enslaved him. His feast day and the soaring Cathedral built to honor his memory celebrate his success at turning a bad experience into something wonderful.


Happy Saint Patty’s Day.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York


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Address to remember: St. Agnes Church, 141 East 43re Street, between Lexington and 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10017, 212 682-5722.

St. Agnes also offers Latin Mass in Gregorian Chant every Sunday at 11 AM.

Directions: From Times Square MTA 7 or S (Shuttle) to Grand Central Station, walk one block west to Lexington Ave, one block north to 43rd St. Bus: M42, M104 to Lexington Ave.

If you like today's issue, why not become a subscriber to Postcards from New York? To start receiving your own copy visit www.postcardsfromnewyork.com and enter your email address. Or, forward this to a friend so they can sign-up to receive Postcards from New York too.

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Photo courtesy of nymag.com

© Copyright 2007-9 The Cable Group

Postcards from New York Awarded "One Lovely Blog"

And the winner is...

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

With all the recent hoopla over the Academy Awards a couple weeks ago and Oprah's sit down with the winners, Postcards too has some wonderful news to share.

We are thrilled to announce that Postcards from New York is the recipient of the "One Lovely Blog Award." Nominated by Kristen Depken of The Upper East Side Scene, who with enthusiam and brevity, describes the "Postcards" as perfect glimpses of the city and all it has to offer.

We are truly honored by this recognition, which would not be possible without the evocative photographs by jewelry designer, Joseph Knight. Week after week, he captures the magic that is New York, from food to dynamic architecture. His pictures accent and bring to life text that create, we hope, memorable images in our reader's minds, as well as a desire to make the Postcard experience their own.

Thank you Kristin.

Please take a moment to visit the Upper East Side Scene here, and be sure to read Kristin's engaging story of her visit to the recent "Art and Love in Renanissance Italy" at the Metropolitan Museum. I had hoped to feature the extraordinary collection of betrothal, wedding and romantic gifts exchanged between men and women in the 15th and 16th centuries in Postcards, but as usual, did not get to the exhibit until the very last day of the show. It did, however, provide me with many wonderful objects to embellish the pages of the story I am writing that takes place in Florence during the 1470's.

Finally, let us not forget you, our readers, who stop and take a few moments in your busy schedules, (while going through your oh so many email messages), and how you make it possible for us to be your "one minute vacation to the city that never sleeps."

Thank You.

We are delighted to pass the "One Lovely Blog Award" along to these inspired blogs that add so much beauty to the blogsphere:

Designers' Block UK: Let's begin this fun exploration here. Be mesmerized by Di's captivating photographs of great designs in everything from children's clothes, antiques and contemporary furniture to flower arrangements.

Ullabenulla: Childhood dreams, romance, antique dolls, 18th century French porcelain, evocative art, sculpture and more; the stuff of fairy tales, let your eyes drink in the fantasy through enchanting photographs.

Cream Puffs in Venice: Mouthwatering photos will have you salivating before you even begin to read Ivonne’s stories and recipes. She brings “her food dreams” to life and shares her passion for family, friends, her garden, tradition and travel.

Bayou Contessa: If the pursuit of elegance and grace are part of your life, Julie Neill’s site is one to visit often. Truly exquisite interior design, mixing classic 18th furniture and decorative art with cutting edge contemporary, enhanced by magnificent photographs.

La Dolca Vita: Memories of the much loved movie enticed my first visit. Then I fell in love with the many beautiful interiors, a feast for the eye.

Country French Antiques: For anyone who has fallen in love with the South of France, French country antiques and Peter Mayle’s “A Year in Provence.” This blogs for you. Escape in the luscious photographs and captivating music.

Absolutely Beautiful Things: Look for a cloud, then let your imagination whisk you away. From luxurious to minimal, Anna’s invitations can be as simple as picking up a bunch of flowers on the way home or as arresting as a close-up photograph of two beetles chatting. Her beautiful things will inspire and keep the magic wand moving.


These awardees just need to follow these simple rules to receive this award and pass it on:

Add the logo to your blog.

Link to the person from whom you've received the award.

Nominate seven blogs of your choice.

Leave a message on the nominees’ blogs.

Let's keep the magic wand going.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York




© Copyright 2007-9 The Cable Group